The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing to revise the U.S. Standards for Watermelon to provide a common language for trade.

In October 2019, the National Watermelon Association (NWA), a trade association representing growers, retailers, and shippers from 30 U.S. states, Canada, and Central America, petitioned the USDA to revise the watermelon standards and update the official USDA visual aids library. Revisions to their request were made in November 2020.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that producers of south Florida avocados voted to continue their marketing order program.

View the March 2021 – Monthly Economic Landscape Report (pdf)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominees for one producer position and one expert in finance and management to serve three-year terms on the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center Board of Directors. Nominations are due May 9, 2021.

USDA selects appointees from candidates nominated by Certified Nominating Organizations (CNO). A CNO is any certified national organization with a principle interest in the production of sheep in the United States and whose membership consists primarily of active domestic sheep producers.

The virtual meeting of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee is being convened to examine the full spectrum of fruit and vegetable industry issues and provide recommendations and ideas to the Secretary of Agriculture on how the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) can tailor programs and services to better meet the needs of the U.S. produce industry.

Meeting Information:

WATCH FVIAC Meeting Recording | April 6, 2021

Resources

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominations for the Popcorn Board to fill seats for three processors whose terms expire on Dec. 31, 2021. Nominations are due to the board by May 3, 2021. The Secretary of Agriculture will appoint individuals to succeed members. Selected representatives will serve three-year terms.

The Popcorn Board is industry-funded and supports the marketing and promotion of popcorn.  The board is composed of five popcorn processors.

The Agricultural Marketing Service is issuing a clarification of the March 9, 2021, announcement of the suspension of enforcement provisions of the federal marketing order for onions grown in South Texas. View the AMS Clarification on the Notice to Trade issued March 9, 2021 (pdf).

Docket Number: AMS–SC–19–0058
Effective Date: April 8, 2021

Summary

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) has revised the U.S. Standards for Grades of Frozen Corn on the Cob.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is revising the U.S. Standards for Grades of Frozen Corn on the Cob effective April 8, 2021.

AMS is replacing the dual nomenclature grading system, which uses two terms to describe each quality level in the standard, with a letter grade system that will use a single term. AMS also made editorial changes that bring the grade standards in line with the present quality levels being marketed today and provide guidance in the effective use of these products.