Summary
- While the 2018 Farm Bill’s extension expired Sept. 30, 2024, funding for most Farm Bill programs will continue until the end of the year. Look for updates in future IFAI Policy Briefs and keep track of Indian Country’s Farm Bill priorities through IFAI’s Farm Bill Tracker.
- IFAI is hiring! Check out the open positions on the IFAI job board at bit.ly/IFAIJOBS.
- On Oct. 9, USDA is holding a follow-up consultation during the NAFDPIR annual conference about the FDPIR supply chain disruptions. Attendees must register for online or in-person participation.
- There are multiple upcoming nominations for agriculture and nutrition-related advisory committees.
- Nominations for the USDA Growing Climate Solutions Act Advisory Council remain open until Oct. 15, 2024. Tribal applicants are encouraged to apply.
- There is a Federal Notice about a final rule pertaining to a change in the Secretary of USDA’s delegation authority.
Calendar
Tribal Consultation/Listening Sessions/Advisory Committee Meetings
Title of Event: Supply Chain Disruptions Follow-Up Consultation
About: This formal consultation is intended to be a follow-up to the emergency consultation held on Sept. 12, 2024, about the FDPIR warehouse delivery delays and will focus on the short, medium, and long-term response actions.
Consultation Date(s):
- Oct. 9, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. pacific
- At the 35th Annual NAFDPIR Conference at the Muckleshoot Casino Resort in Auburn, WA.
- Whether participating in person or virtually, please register below.
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:
- USDA Growing Climate Solutions Act Advisory Council– Due Oct. 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: Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP); Withdrawal notice
- USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service is withdrawing its proposed rule issued on May 10, 2016, which would have established procedures for planning, requesting, and operating D-SNAP.
- Disasters like COVID-19 pandemic showed that the proposed rule would have prevented USDA from adapting and enacting public health emergencies in a timely manner.
- As a result of feedback received through listening sessions and submitted comments, the rule is being withdrawn.
Posted: Week of September 30, 2024
Title: Delegations of Authority
- Effective Oct. 2, 2024, the delegation of authority from the Secretary of U.S. Department of Agriculture is amended to the Under Secretary of Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) and the FPAC mission area agencies, the General Counsel, and the Director of the Office of Tribal Relations (OTR).
- With this expansion in delegation of authority, FSA is no longer limited to agreements related to conservation programs as well as outreach and technical assistance carried out by FSA..
- In terms of OTR, this expansion in delegation of authority allows OTR to enter into cooperative agreements with institutions of higher education for the purposes of student development in support of the 1994 Tribal College Program.