Summary
- Learn about the Farm Bill and Tribal priorities in the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative’s recent article featuring IFAI’s senior staff attorney, Kelli Case (Chickasaw Nation).
- Congress is back from recess this week, but there are no scheduled hearings relevant to Tribal food and agriculture as of Monday.
- Registration is open for the FDPIR Tribal Consultation on Dec. 9, 2024. ITOs and Tribal leaders will have a Tribal caucus on Sunday, Dec. 8 in the early evening, email agpolicy@uark.edu for more information on that.
- There are multiple upcoming nominations for agriculture and nutrition-related advisory committees, including for the Bureau of Land Management’s member vacancies in nine Resource Advisory Councils.
- USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service published a federal register notice requesting public input on Conservation Practice Standards supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation.
- Funding for most Farm Bill programs continues until the end of the calendar year. Look for updates in future IFAI Policy Briefs and keep track of Indian Country’s priorities through IFAI’s Farm Bill Tracker.
- IFAI is hiring! Check out the open positions on the IFAI job board at bit.ly/IFAIJOBS.
Calendar
Tribal Consultation/Listening Sessions/Advisory Committee Meetings
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Title of Event: FDPIR Supply Chain Disruptions Follow-Up Consultation
About: This event will be a continuation of the FDPIR Supply Chain Disruptions Follow-Up Consultation held on Oct. 9, 2024. Short, medium, and long-term response actions from USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service will form the basis for this consultation.
Consultation Date(s):
- Dec. 9, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- In person attendance will be during the Intertribal Agriculture Council’s Annual Conference at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- Virtual participation will be available through Zoom Link – use link below to register whether attending in-person or virtually,
Congressional updates
Looking Back:
There were no Congressional hearings to report last week.
Looking ahead:
Congress is not in session, and there are no hearings scheduled at the time of publication.
Nomination opportunities:
- Resource Advisory Councils – Due Nov. 15
- American Lamb Board– Due Nov. 30
- Collaborative Forest Restoration Program Technical Advisory Panel- open nominations
- Lake Tahoe Basin Federal Advisory Committee– open nominations
If you’re interested in seeking more information on nominations, reach out to agpolicy@uark.edu.
Regulatory/Rulemaking Actions
Title: Request for Public Input about Implementation of the Conservation Practices to Support Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
- USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking public comments on the Conservation Practices Standards (CPS) improvements meant to increase climate mitigation and adaptation benefits.
- NRCS conservation programs support financial and technical assistance for producers in support of things such as soil carbon improvement, and reduction of nitrogen losses.
- All CPS are reviewed at least once every 5 years. This request provides the public an opportunity to provide input at the beginning of the cycle.
- Comments received by Dec. 23, 2024, will be considered.
Posted: Week of Nov. 11, 2024
Title: Food Distribution Programs: Improving Access and Parity
- USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service a final rule on improving access and parity for food distribution programs effective Dec. 30, 2024.
- This final rule includes revisions to food distribution programs such as CSFP, FDPIR, TEFAP, and USDA foods disaster response.
- Regulatory changes include increasing parity between FDPIR and SNAP; increasing access to food distribution programs; and modernizing program operation by updating outdated terminology and processes.
- USDA considered all 155 submitted comments received from entities that include State and local agencies as well as Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs).
Posted: Week of Nov. 4, 2024
Title: Agency Information Collection Activities: FDPIR Participant Characteristics and Program Operations Study
- USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is seeking comments on whether collection of data (e.g. administrative data collection, survey of FDPIR participants, and onsite observations) is necessary for proper performance of the functions of the agency.
- This study will provide current, nationally representative data on FDPIR participants as well as provide a better understanding of the reasons for the decline in FDPIR participation.
- The study will also include evaluation of the FDPIR Self-Determination Demonstration Projects, which allowed procurement flexibilities for FDPIR sites.
- Comments must be received by Dec. 24, 2024.
Title: Agency Information Collection Activities: WIC & FMNP Outreach, Innovation, and Modernization Evaluation
- USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is seeking information whether modernization projects related to Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) have been effective.
- The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 provided FNS with $390 million and waiver authority to modernize WIC.
- This Outreach, Innovation, and Modernization Evaluation is expected to inform FNS about the implementation and impacts of ARPA-funded projects on the effectiveness of modernization efforts.
- Comments must be received by Dec. 27, 2024.
Posted: Week of Oct. 28, 2024