Summary
- The Tribal Advisory Committee is holding its first meeting of 2025 on Feb. 18 from 12 to 7 p.m. Eastern. Register to attend online here.
- The Senate confirmed Brooke Rollins as the 33rd U.S. Secretary of Agriculture last week.
- Attend IFAI’s informational webinar highlighting how the new administration’s executive orders may impact Tribal food and agriculture on Feb. 26 at 1 p.m. Central. Use the link here to sign up.
- Check out IFAI’s updated blogpost and comment template letter about USDA’s Child Nutrition Programs Tribal Pilot Projects. Tribes can submit comments through March 24.
- Nominations for the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Permanent Advisory Committee are due by March 24.
Calendar
Tribal Consultation/Listening Sessions/Advisory Committee Meetings
Title of Event: Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC) Meeting
About: This is the first TAC meeting for FY2025. The purpose of the Committee is to provide advice and guidance to USDA on matters related to Tribal and Indian affairs. Registration Link
Meeting Date(s):
- Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, from 12 – 7 p.m. eastern
- Note: The section for public comments is from 3:00 p.m. to approximately 4:00 p.m., but public participants can listen in at the start of the meeting.
Title of Event: American Indian and Alaska Native Public Witness Hearing and Testimony
About: The House Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will host AIAN public witness hearings.
Meeting Date(s):
- Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025
- Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025
- Note: Deadline to submit requests to testify: Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 (Instructions here).
Deadline to submit written public testimony for all groups: Friday, April 4, 2025 (Instructions here)
Title of Event: Request for Information: Child Nutrition Programs Tribal Pilot Projects
About: The U.S. Department of Agriculture is taking feedback from Indian Country on the Child Nutrition Tribal Pilot Projects through a Request for Information process. The pilot will allow Tribal operations to administer one or more child nutrition programs like:
- National School Lunch Program
- School Breakfast Program
- Child & Adult Care Food Program
- Summer Food Service Program
The final comment deadline is March 24, 2025. IFAI has information and a comment template for Tribes interested in submitting here on our website.
Congressional Sessions:
Looking back:
Hearing: House Agriculture Committee, Feb. 11, 2025
Topic: Examining the Economic Crisis in Farm Country
Highlights: Lawmakers and experts emphasized the need for a new farm bill with stronger safety nets, bipartisan cooperation, and investments in specialty crops, export markets, and risk management tools to address high input costs, economic challenges, and ensure long-term agricultural sustainability.
Hearing: House Natural Resource Committee, Feb. 11, 2025
Topic: Restoring Multiple Use to Revitalize America’s Public Lands and Rural Communities
Highlights: Lawmakers emphasized the need for balanced development and conservation, incorporating indigenous expertise, addressing federal land management challenges, supporting local businesses, and protecting public lands and wildlife habitats.
Hearing: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Feb. 12, 2025
Topic: Examine Native Communities’’ Priorities for the 119th Congress
Highlights: Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and witness Kerry Bird discussed the importance of tribal self-determination and including traditional foods in nutrition programs.
Hearing: Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry, Feb. 13, 2025
Topic: Perspectives From the Field: Farmer and Rancher Views on the Agriculture Economy
HEARING POSTPONED
Looking ahead:
No hearings relevant to Indian Country this week.
Nomination opportunities:
Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Permanent Advisory Committee
Agency: National Marine Fisheries Service; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Description: The Advisory Committee provides recommendations to the U.S. Commissioners to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission regarding the deliberations and decisions of the Commission.
Nomination due: March 24, 2025
Regulatory/Rulemaking Actions
There were no Federal Register postings relevant to Tribal food and agriculture this week.