Calendar

Tribal Consultation/Listening Sessions/Advisory Committee Meetings

USDA Tribal Consultation Oct. 9    

While not on the USDA Office of Tribal Relations’ website yet, at last week’s FDPIR delivery delays Tribal Consultation, USDA announced it would hold a consultation on October 9, 2024, at the National Association of FDPIR Programs Annual Conference in Auburn, Washington. 

Congressional updates    

Looking Back: 

Hearing:  House Agriculture Committee and House Appropriations Committee – Wednesday, September 11  

Topic: Tribal/Elderly Communities Food Distribution Shortages (FDPIR and CSFP) 

Highlights: 

• Tribal representatives provided testimony to Congressional representatives concerning the local impacts of the national warehouse delivery breakdown. They also responded to questions from concerning USDA consultation practices and the potential solutions.  

• Tribal witnesses referred to challenges in getting USDA to adequately respond to ground-perspective reports from Tribes in the opening months of the breakdown. All mentioned that local/regional sourcing models, including self-governance authorities in procurement, would be long term solutions.    

• Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack testified about the Department’s actions in about the food distribution crisis.  
• Secretary Vilsack acknowledged failures in delivering food to Tribal communities and seniors and the hardships that have been caused for those dependent on the programs. He apologized and outlined the steps that the USDA is taking to mitigate the damage, including consultations with Tribal leaders and improving communication.  

Hearing: Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee – Wednesday, September 11  

Topic: Legislation Hearing: 

S. 2927 (118), to amend the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to increase Tribal access to water conservation and efficiency grants and more.

Highlights:

• Discussions around various legislative efforts to tackle climate-driven drought and water issues. Commissioner Camille Touton of the Bureau of Reclamation testified on efforts to increase water storage, conservation, and infrastructure improvements.   

Looking ahead:  

Hearing:

Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee– Wednesday, September 18 at 2:00 p.m. eastern.

Topic:

National School Lunch/Breakfast Program

Nomination opportunities: 

USDA Growing Climate Solutions Act Advisory Council 

Description: The Growing Climate Solutions Act program aims to simplify access to carbon credit markets for farmers and landowners by connecting them with qualified providers and third-party verifiers. The Advisory Council will help farmers, especially small, mid-sized, and underserved groups, participate in verified environmental credit markets, supporting climate-smart agriculture and creating new income opportunities. The credits will represent genuine, long-term emissions reductions or removals. 

Deadline: October 15, 2024 

Regulatory/Rulemaking Actions

Title: Notice of Request for Extension of Approval of an Information Collection re Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Livestock and Dairy Herd 

• USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is requesting public comments on its extension of approval of an information collection regarding highly pathogenic avian influenza. 

• APHIS is encouraging farmers and veterinarians to report cattle illnesses quickly and implement biosecurity measures.  

• The Federal Order which went into effect on April 24, 2024, requires lactating dairy cattle be tested before interstate movement and laboratories report positive Influenza A cases in livestock. APHIS is asking the Office of Management and Budget to approve our use of this information collection activity for 3 years. 

• Comments submitted by October 28, 2024, will be considered 

Posted: Week of September 2, 2024