The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced $72.9 million in grant funding awarded to 56 states and territories for 586 projects through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). The program funds innovative projects designed to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through marketing, education, and research. The program is administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today it will conduct a referendum Oct. 22-Nov. 12, 2025, for eligible first handlers and importers of mangos to decide whether to continue their research and promotion program.

First handlers and importers who are engaged in handling or importing 500,000 pounds or more of mangos at the time of the referendum and during the representative period of Jan. 1, 2024 - Dec. 31, 2024, are eligible to vote. The order will continue if it is favored by a majority of first handlers and importers voting in the referendum.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced $3.38 million in grant funding awarded to three organizations through the Bison Production and Marketing Grant Program (BPMGP). The program will strengthen and enhance the production and marketing of bison and bison products in the United States through business and resource development, and the advancement of innovative approaches to solving long-term needs in the bison sector. Awards will go to Mad Agriculture, National Bison Association, and Flower Hill Institute.

On Oct. 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) opened the annual U.S. grain exporter registration period and waiver requests for the 2026 calendar year.

The United States Grain Standards Act, 7 U.S.C. 87f-1, requires registration of people who 1) are engaged in the business of buying grain for sale in foreign commerce or 2) handle, weigh or transport grain for sale in foreign commerce.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking public comments on its proposal to revise seven U.S. grade standards for canned tomato products (U.S. Standards for Grades of Canned Tomatoes, Tomato Ketchup, Tomato Sauce, Tomato Juice, Canned Tomato Paste, Canned Tomato Puree, and Concentrated Tomato Juice).

USDA Certified Information - G 159 Specification (pdf), effective September 2025

Program Contact

Greg Preast
East Texas Meat Processors
1499 US 175
Frankston, Texas 75763
Cell:  703-554-4394
Office:  903-876-2882
office@etxbeef.com 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking public comments on its proposal to revise the U.S. Standards for Grades of Lemons.

AMS proposes amending the standards to add a definition for the term “seedless lemons”. This new definition would not be applied to affect grade.  

Program Updates

What are my requirements for administering my grant?

You must follow the requirements provided in your Notice of Award, which refers to your grant’s General Terms and Conditions.  You can find links to each active fiscal year at the Grants Terms and Conditions page.

How do I request a payment?

You must complete and submit the following documentation:

More to come...