Summary
- Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow released proposed Farm Bill text and a summary. As the Native Farm Bill Coalition’s (NFBC) research partner, IFAI is analyzing the text and will release its findings in the near future.
- University of Arkansas names Carly Griffith Hotvedt as IFAI’s full-time Executive Director
- The NFBC will host a webinar on Nov. 19 to discuss how the 2024 election results impact the Coalition and the likely path for a Farm Bill in 2025.
- Congress is back from recess this week, with two hearings from the Senate and House Natural Resource Committees.
- Registration is open for the FDPIR Tribal Consultation on Dec. 9, 2024. ITOs and Tribal leaders will hold a Tribal caucus on Sunday, Dec. 8 in the early evening, email agpolicy@uark.edu for more information on that. The online version of the briefing will be held on Dec. 4, 2024.
- USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service published a federal register notice on a final rule regarding SNAP Employment and Training Programs.
- 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
- 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:
Markup: Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee– Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 9:30 a.m. eastern.
Topic: Land Management
- S. 1553 (118), to amend the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to improve the management of grazing permits and leases
- S. 2927 (118), to amend the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to increase Tribal access to water conservation and efficiency grants
Markup: House Natural Resources Committee– Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 10:00 a.m. eastern.
Topic: Markup over several land trust bills:
- H.R. 3047 (118), the Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2023
- H.R. 4748 (118), the Unrecognized Southeast Alaska Native Communities Recognition and Compensation Act
- H.R. 6489 (118), the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2023
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
: SNAP Employment and Training Program Monitoring, Oversight and Reporting Measures
- USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service issued a final rule that will strengthen SNAP’s Employment and Training Program.
- The final rule requirements include:
- State agencies to develop reporting measures and report outcome data to the Department.
- The Department is required to monitor and assess the effectiveness of State agencies’ E&T programs.
- The final rule enables the Department to determine the overall effectiveness of the E&T program in assisting participants obtain skills and employment.
- The effective date is Jan. 17, 2025
Posted: Week of Nov. 18, 2024
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