The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the suspension of the California kiwifruit marketing order provisions.  

Beginning Dec. 31, 2026, handlers will not be required to meet the marketing order’s quality requirements, pack and container requirements, remit assessments, or submit reports on kiwifruit handled during the 2026-2027 crop year.  Due to the suspension of the quality requirements on California kiwifruit, imported kiwifruit will be allowed into the stream of commerce without meeting the import requirements. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced approximately $12.65 million in funding is available through the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (DBI). The funding will support regional initiatives that provide technical assistance and subawards to dairy businesses working to develop, produce, market, and distribute dairy products. These initiatives support agricultural businesses that help rural economies thrive and bolster the dairy supply chain, so all Americans have access to quality domestic dairy products.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced approximately $2.3 million in grant funding awarded to departments of agriculture in Hawaii, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa through the Mico-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP). 

Funds support projects that promote the maple syrup industry

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced over $5 million in grant funding awarded to 12 projects across six states to promote the maple syrup industry. The funding is awarded through the Acer Access and Development Program (Acer) and is administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will conduct a referendum among eligible Florida citrus producers Oct. 19 through Nov. 9, 2026, to determine their level of support for continuing their federal marketing order.

The order requires USDA to conduct a continuance referendum every six years. To be eligible to vote, producers within the production area must have produced citrus during the period of Aug. 1, 2025, through July 31, 2026.

Grades of Canned Blueberries

Beginning Date: May 4, 2027

Ending Date: May 6, 2027   

Location: 
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Alexandria, VA 22314
703-836-4700

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominees for the Far West Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee to fill seats for three members and three alternates for two-year terms, beginning Jan. 1, 2027.

The committee will accept nominations at the following meetings for each district:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will conduct a referendum among eligible Florida avocado growers Sept. 21 through Oct. 13, 2026, to determine their level of support for continuing their federal marketing order.

The order requires USDA to conduct a continuance referendum every six years. To be eligible to vote, growers within the production area must have produced avocados during the period of April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking input from the public and industry stakeholders on how the U.S. beef grade standards could be updated to better serve the needs of beef producers, packers, wholesalers, volume food buyers, retailers, and consumers. AMS was asked by the American Wagyu Association to review the grade standards and explore potential revisions.