The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced today an administrative variance to germination testing requirements for entities selling seed to the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as part of its biannual seed purchases (bids). Effective August 8, 2022, this action allows seed to be shipped to BLM without germination test results if the germination testing process has been started prior to interstate shipment.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) will purchase local foods from socially disadvantaged and local producers from across the Commonwealth and distribute it to underserved populations using a network of existing partnerships along with some newer concepts.

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a public listening session to gather additional information about farmers’ concerns regarding seeds and agricultural inputs, fertilizer, and retail markets.

Docket Number: AMS–SC–22–0033
Comments Due: October 17, 2022

Summary

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intention to request an extension for and revision to a currently approved information collection for Almonds Grown in California, Marketing Order No. 981.

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The U.S Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has published updated performance measures for the Federal State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP), Micro-Grants for Food Security (MGFS), and Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP). These performance measures provide a framework for grant recipients to evaluate project activities more accurately in relation to program outcomes.

Applications will be accepted for Seasonal HVI Operator positions beginning September 12, 2023. Applications are currently available at USDA, AMS, Cotton Program Classing Office located at 161 Industrial Loop, Rayville, La.