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🍗USDA Seeks Comments on Poultry Standards Revisions by 2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking public comment on revisions to the United States Classes, Standards, and Grades for Poultry (the Poultry Standards). The last minor revision to the Poultry Standards occurred in 2018, but the last substantial revision prior to that occurred in 1998. Since then, poultry production and quality assessment methods have changed significantly, as have consumer preferences.

🍽️2025 Reimbursement Rates Update for Summer Food Service Program

This notice informs the public of the annual adjustments to the reimbursement rates for meals served in the Summer Food Service Program. These adjustments address changes in the Consumer Price Index, as required under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. The 2025 reimbursement rates are presented as a combined set of rates to highlight simplified cost accounting procedures. The 2025 rates are also presented individually, as separate operating and administrative rates of reimbursement, to show the effect of the Consumer Price Index adjustment on each rate. On average, the 2025 rates adjustment represents a 3.6 percent increase in the rates from last year.

🌾Proposed Updates to Grain Inspection Geographic Areas and Compliance

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is issuing this notice to announce proposed updates to the boundaries of the geographic areas in which official service providers (OSP) perform official inspection and weighing services under a United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA) designation or delegation, and for purposes of cooperative service agreements under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (AMA). The proposed updates are necessary due to changes in natural and man- made landmarks, railroad lines, roads, and signs that were used in historical boundary descriptions.

📊USDA NASS Data Collection Review and Compliance Notice

⚖️USDA APHIS Modifies SNICAS System Under Privacy Act Regulations

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is modifying a system of records in its inventory of records systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. The system of records being modified is the Smuggling Interdiction and Trade Compliance (SITC) National Information Communication Activity System (SNICAS), USDA/APHIS-21. SNICAS maintains a record of activities conducted by the agency pursuant to its mission and authorized responsibilities. The purpose of the system is to record data and information about APHIS' SITC activities nationwide. We are modifying the system to exempt the system from certain provisions of the Privacy Act.

🔒USDA Revises Privacy Act Regulations Affecting Business Compliance

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is amending its Privacy Act regulations to exempt a system of records, Smuggling Interdiction and Trade Compliance (SITC) National Information Communication Activity System (SNICAS), USDA/APHIS-21, from certain provisions of the Privacy Act. USDA is further amending its Privacy Act regulations to reflect an administrative change to the list of system of records that are exempt from certain provisions of the Privacy Act.

🌐Community Connect Grant Program Opportunity for FY 2025

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or the Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces the acceptance of applications under the Community Connect Grant (CCG) program for fiscal year (FY) 2025. This notice is being issued prior to passage of an FY 2025 appropriations act in order to allow applicants sufficient time to prepare their applications and give the Agency time to process applications within FY 2025. Based on FY 2024 appropriated funding, the Agency estimates that approximately $26 million will be available, for FY 2025. These grant funds will be made available to eligible applicants to construct broadband networks that provide service on a community-oriented connectivity basis in rural areas. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications.

🌾USDA Extends Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops Applications

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is announcing changes to the available funding, payment limitation, and application deadline for Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC).

📊USDA FGIS Final Rule on User Fee Regulations for Grain Services

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS or Service) is amending its user fee regulations to establish standardized formulas the agency will use to calculate hourly and unit fees. The changes allow FGIS to charge reasonable fees sufficient to cover the costs of providing official services and re-establish a 3-to 6-month operating reserve, as required by the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA). This final rule also makes specified conforming changes and minor technical changes to correct two typographical errors.

🚀Notice of Funding for Rural Business Development Grants

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS or Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is issuing this notice to invite applications for grants to provide technical assistance for passenger Rural Transportation (RT) systems under the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program and the terms for such funding. Grant funds will provide technical assistance for RT systems including designated funds to provide technical assistance to RT systems operating within Tribal lands of Federally Recognized Native American Tribes (FRNAT) (collectively "Programs"). This notice is being issued in order to allow applicants sufficient time to leverage financing, prepare and submit their applications, and give the Agency time to process applications within fiscal year (FY) 2025. Based on FY 2024 appropriated funding, the Agency estimates that approximately $750,000 will be made available for FY 2025. Successful applications will be selected by the Agency for funding and subsequently awarded to the extent that funding may ultimately be made available through appropriations. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications.