Amid the government shutdown, the Irrigation Association (IA) released a statement regarding what the industry should know during this time.

 
Funding seized at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 1 - leaving "non-essential" services on pause and many concerned about the effect on the industry.

USDA Updates
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) documented and explained that with the FY 2026 shutdown, programs tied to landscape design, irrigation efficiency, soil health, and conservation will be impacted. Further, only programs funded by annual funding was suspended. The Forest Service will continue wildfire suppression and fuel management that protects public lands, erosion control work, and infrastructure maintenance. Then, the Natural Resources Conservation Service will continue Emergency Conservation Programs that address soil or water hazards, technical assistance, and watershed and flood prevention. The document also explains that 53% of agency employees are expected to be furloughed under this plan.

The shutdown delays conservation and irrigation grants, permitting and technical approvals, research partnerships with universities, and new initiatives.

EPA Updates
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is impacted by the shutdown with an estimated 11% of the workforce continuing operations. Landscape activities like emergency and disaster assistance, superfund work like hazardous waste site management, lab maintenance, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funded activities, and pesticide registration activities. New grants, research, civil enforcement, and issuance of permits will be suspended.