Summary

• USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service seeks nominations for four positions on the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production 
• There is a Federal Register Notice about a proposed rule on Poultry Grower Payment Systems; comments are expected by August 9, 2024. 
• There are four congressional hearings relevant to Indian Country Agriculture this week. 

Key Policy-Related Dates

Tribal Consultation/Listening Sessions/Advisory Committee Meetings:    

Congressional updates    

Looking Back: 

Hearing: House Natural Resources Federal Lands Subcommittee Wednesday, June 4 

Topic: Examining President’s FY 25 Budget Request for the U.S. Forest Service 

Highlights: Discussion centered around Tribal land stewardship, federal land management, timber harvesting, wildfires, firefighters, recreation and powerline issues. 

Hearing: Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry- Wednesday, June 4 

Topic: Pathways to Farming: Helping the Next Generation of Farmers 

Witnesses: 

• Tessa Parks– W.T. Farms, National Farmers Union 

• Raechel Sattazahn- Director of Industry and Membership Relations, Horizon Farm Credit 

• Kevin Lussier– Chair, Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee 

• Christian Good- Owner/Operator, Christian Good Farms 

Highlights: Discussion centered around crop insurance, expanding credit limits, inflation obstacles, trade agreements, farmer’s financial hurdles, avian Influenza, and catfish farming. 

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead:  

Markup: House Appropriations- Tuesday, June 11 at 6:00 p.m. eastern 

Topic: FY 25 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Bill 

Hearing: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs- Wednesday, June 12 at 2:30 p.m. eastern 

Topic: Hearings to examine: 

• S.2908, to assist Tribal governments in the management of buffalo and buffalo habitat and the reestablishment of buffalo on Indian land 

• S.3263, to reaffirm the applicability of the Indian Reorganization Act to the Poarch Band of Creek Indians 

• S.4000, to reaffirm the applicability of the Indian Reorganization Act to the Lytton Rancheria of California 

• S.4442, to amend the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010 to make improvements to that Act. 

Hearing: Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources– Thursday, June 13 at 9:30 a.m. eastern 

Topic: Oversight of the Bureau of Land Management 

Witness: Tracy Stone-Manning, Director, Bureau of Land Management 

Hearing: House Committee on Natural Resources– Thursday, June 13 at 10:00 a.m. eastern 

Topic: Examining GAO’s Findings to Address Data Gaps and Improve Data Collection in the Territories 

Nominations

What is the nomination for?  Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production 

Description:  

• USDA seeks nominations for four positions on the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. This 12-member committee is part of USDA’s efforts to increase support for urban agriculture and innovative production.  

• Members provide input on policy development and help identify barriers to urban agriculture. 

Deadline for submission? July 6, 2024 

Where can I submit a nomination?  

• Nomination packages must be submitted by email to UrbanAgricultureFederalAdvisoryCommittee@usda.gov or postmarked by July 6, 2024. If sent by mail, packages should be addressed to USDA NRCS, Attn: Brian Guse, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 4083, Washington, DC 20250. Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified individuals for membership, including self-nominations. For special accommodations, contact Markus Holliday at UrbanAgricultureFederalAdvisoryCommittee@usda.gov.

Regulatory/Rulemaking Actions:   

Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems 

• USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) seeks public comments on proposed revisions to its regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921.  

• AMS is proposing amendments such as (1) prohibiting live poultry dealers (LPDs) from discounting or reducing the grower’s rate of compensation based on the grower’s grouping, ranking, or comparison to others; and (2) requiring LPDs to establish and maintain written documentation of their processes for the design and operation of a broiler grower ranking system.  

• Comments must be received by August 9, 2024. 

Posted: Week of June 10  

Title: Agency Information Collection Activities; Outreach and Assistance to Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (2501 Program) Application and Performance Reporting 

• USDA seeks public comments on information to be included in performance reports that will be submitted to Congress.  
• Information sought about the 2501 program at USDA will include (1) the recipients of funds made available under the program; (2) the activities undertaken, and services provided; and (3) the number of current and prospective socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers served and the outcomes of such service. 
• Comments must be submitted by July 29, 2024 

Posted: Week of June 3 

• USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service issued a proposed rule to align SNAP regulations with three provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.  
• Some of the proposed regulations include:  

• (1) assisting low-income adults in obtaining employment;  
• (2) increasing the age-based exceptions to 55 years of age or older by October 1, 2024; and 

• (3) adding to the existing list of exceptions individuals experiencing homelessness, veterans, and individuals who are 24 years of age or younger and in foster care on their 18th birthday.  

• During the March 15, 2024, consultation, Tribal representatives provided minimal comments.  
• The written comments deadline has been extended to June 14, 2024. 

Posted: Week of May 27