🦆USDA Finalizes Environmental Impact Statement on HPAI Outbreaks
We are advising the public that the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services has prepared a record of decision (ROD) for the final programmatic environmental impact statement (EIS) titled "Outbreak Response Activities for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreaks in Poultry in the United States and U.S. Territories".
Learn More🌱USDA Calls for Nominations to National Organic Standards Board
Through this Notice, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing its call for nominations to fill five vacancies on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB): two individuals who own or operate an organic farming operation or employees of such individuals; two individuals who represent public interest or consumer interest groups; and one individual who is a USDA accredited certifying agent. Appointees will serve a 5-year term beginning in January 2026 and ending in January 2031. Additionally, USDA seeks nominations for a pool of candidates that the Secretary of Agriculture can draw upon as replacement appointees if unexpected vacancies occur.
Learn More🌱Public Meeting on Pesticide Residues and Food Safety Regulations
The U.S Codex Office is sponsoring a public meeting on August 13, 2025. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items to be discussed at the 56th Session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR56) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). CCPR56 will be held in Santiago, Chile, from September 8-13, 2025. The U.S. Manager for Codex Alimentarius and the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 56th Session of the CCPR and to address items on the agenda.
Learn More🌾USDA's New Interpretation of Federal Public Benefits
This notice sets forth the interpretation that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) uses for the term "Federal public benefit" as used in Title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), Public Law 104-193, 8 U.S.C. 1611. In doing so, this notice supersedes any prior interpretation in any notice or other document issued by any USDA agency. This notice also describes and preliminarily identifies the USDA programs that provide "Federal public benefits" within the scope of PRWORA.
Learn More🌾USDA Ends Race and Sex-Based Preferences in Assistance Programs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has independently determined that it will no longer employ the race- and sex-based "socially disadvantaged" designation to provide increased benefits based on race and sex in the programs at issue in this regulation. The USDA has faced a long history of litigation stemming from allegations of discrimination in the administration of its farm loan and benefit programs. However, over the past several decades, USDA has undertaken substantial efforts to redress past injustices, culminating in comprehensive settlements, institutional reforms, and compensatory frameworks. These actions collectively support the conclusion that past discrimination has been sufficiently addressed and that further race- and sex-based remedies are no longer necessary or legally justified under current circumstances.
Learn More🌾NIFA Proposal Review Process
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations this notice announces the National Institute of Food and Agriculture's (NIFA) intention to extend and revise a previously approved information collection, entitled NIFA Proposal Review Process.
Learn More🌱Funding Opportunity for Rural Community Development Initiative
The Rural Housing Service (RHS or the Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces the acceptance of applications under the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) program for fiscal year (FY) 2025. Approximately $5 million in funding is available for FY 2025. These grants will be made to qualified Intermediary organizations that will provide financial and Technical assistance to Recipients to develop their capacity and ability to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, or community and economic development that will support the community. Applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications.
Learn More📄Notice to Revise NIFA Application Kit for Grant Collections
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, this notice announces the National Institute of Food and Agriculture's (NIFA) intention to extend and revise a previously approved information collection, entitled NIFA Application Kit.
Learn More🌽Bayer CropScience Seeks Nonregulated Status for MON 95275 Maize
We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has received a petition from Bayer CropScience seeking a determination of nonregulated status for MON 95275 maize (corn) which has been developed using genetic engineering to produce two insecticidal proteins and a double-stranded RNA transcript to provide protection from feeding damage caused by targeted coleopteran (corn rootworm) insect pests. We are making the petition and draft plant pest risk assessment available for public review and comment.
Learn More🥛Notice on Special Milk Program Information Collection Activities
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection. This collection is a revision of a currently approved collection to determine public participation in the Special Milk Program for Children.
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