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🔒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.

🚫USDA Withdraws Proposed SNAP Quality Control Rule for 2025

This document informs the public that FNS is withdrawing the proposed rule titled, "Provisions to Improve the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program's Quality Control System," that published in the Federal Register on September 19, 2023, and its correction on December 19, 2023. This rule proposed amendments to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) regulations to strengthen and improve the integrity and accuracy of the SNAP quality control (QC) system as requested by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.

💰Funding Opportunity for Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants

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 Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant program for fiscal year (FY) 2025, subject to the availability of funding. This notice is being issued prior to passage of a FY 2025 Appropriations Act in order to allow applicants sufficient time to leverage financing, prepare and submit their applications, and give the Agency time to process applications within FY 2025. Based on FY 2024 appropriated funding, the Agency estimates that approximately $40 million will be 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.

💰Deadline Extension for Section 313A Guarantees Funding Opportunity

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or the Agency), a Rural Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing the extension and reopening of the Guarantees for Bonds and Notes Issued for Utility Infrastructure Purposes Program (the 313A Program) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 application window through January 31, 2025.

💰USDA Announces Grants for Businesses in Renewable Fuel Projects

🦠Reopening Comment Period for Avian Influenza EIS - USDA Notice

We are reopening the comment period for our notice advising the public that a draft programmatic environmental impact statement (EIS) has been prepared by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service relative to our response activities to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in commercial and backyard poultry operations located throughout the United States, including the U.S. territories. The draft EIS analyzes and compares the potential environmental effects of using three action alternatives during an HPAI outbreak. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.