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.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced it has completed its review of the Final Rule establishing the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program. The rule will move forward as published in the Federal Register on Jan. 19, 2021 and will be effective on March 22, 2021.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) seeks comments on the development, coordination, and implementation of a food purchase and distribution program intended to provide additional aid to nonprofits serving Americans in need of nutrition assistance.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) seeks comments regarding the development, coordination and implementation of grant programs to support food processing, distribution, seafood processing, farmers markets, and producers and other businesses identified in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. The legislation directs USDA to use these grant funds to help businesses respond to coronavirus, including for measures to protect workers against COVID-19.