USDA Revises U.S. Standards for Watermelon
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is revising the U.S. Standards for Watermelon to provide a common language for trade.
Revision of United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons
Docket Number: AMS–SC–20–0096
Effective Date: September 20, 2021
Summary
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is revising the U.S. Standards for Grades of Watermelons. Changes will provide a common language for trade of watermelons.
Contact
Exceptions to Geographic Boundaries
Docket Number: AMS–FGIS–19–0062
Comments Due: September 20, 2021
Summary
Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program
In the first round of the Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program, USDA distributed over $250 million in pandemic assistance payments to more than 25,000 eligible dairy farmers who received a lower value due to market abnormalities caused by the pandemic and ensuing Federal policies. The first round of payments were made on production up to 5 million pounds. USDA will now make PMVAP payments to eligible dairy farmers for fluid milk sales between 5 million and 9 million pounds from July through December 2020.
USDA Seeks Comments on a Proposed Rule Allowing Exceptions to Geographic Boundaries for Some Grain Inspections
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Federal Grain Inspection Service today announced that it is seeking comments on proposed revisions to the Federal Grain Inspection regulations. AMS is required to revise the regulations as a result of 2018 Farm Bill amendments to the U.S. Grain Standards Act.
Organic
About the Organic Standards
Organic is a labeling term that indicates that the food or other agricultural product has been produced through approved methods. The organic standards describe the specific requirements that must be verified by a USDA-accredited certifying agent before products can be labeled USDA organic. Access the full set of resources that make up the USDA organic standards.