Summary
- IFAI analyzed Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow’s proposed Farm Bill text here. There was a Friday addition to that bill language that IFAI is in the process of reviewing.
- 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. An online Tribal briefing will be held on Dec. 4, 2024.
- IFAI and the National Association of FDPIR programs created a draft comment letter for Tribes and Tribal Organizations to use for USDA FNS’s FDPIR participant study information request.
- USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service published a Federal Register notice extending the comment period for Price Discovery and Competition in Markets for Fed Cattle.
- 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 hearings relevant to Indian Country Agriculture last week.
Looking ahead:
There are no hearings relevant to Indian Country Agriculture this week.
Nomination opportunities:
- 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: Price Discovery and Competition in Markets for Fed Cattle – Extension of Comment Period
- USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking comments on an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to amend the regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act (P&S Act).
- AMS seeks stakeholder comments on options about base prices in formula pricing agreements to encourage fare and competitive trading environments in fed cattle markets.
- For more than 20 years, producers have complained about issues such as unfair prices they are paid for fed cattle, difficulty negotiating with packers, and predatory pricing strategies that favored only some players.
- New comment submission deadline is Jan. 10, 2025
Posted: Week of Nov. 25, 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: 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