The purpose of this project is to provide food assistance to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Community. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN) is a federally recognized tribal nation located in Southeastern Connecticut. MPTN is taking a two-pronged approach to purchase and distribution of healthy organic food to the tribal community.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will use Local Food for Schools (LFS) funding to help Minnesota schools start and expand their procurement of local foods. Funds will be sub-awarded to schools through a competitive Farm to School grant program that will reimburse schools for local food purchases.

This list of entities that have signed Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program with USDA will be updated as the agreements are signed.

Docket Number: AMS-SC-21-0076
Dates: As of August 22, 2022, the proposed rule published on February 22, 2022, at 87 FR 6455, is withdrawn.

Summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has withdrawn a proposed rule to amend administrative requirements in the marketing order for California almonds that would have modified existing authorities for roadside stand exemption, credit for market promotion activities, quality control, exempt dispositions, and interest and late payment sections of the regulations.

The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) is investing up to $100 million over five years in cooperative agreements with non-profit organizations who are partnering with others to provide technical assistance and wrap-around support for transitioning and existing organic farmers. AMS is building partnership networks in six regions across the United States with trusted organizations serving direct farmer training, education, and outreach activities.

The partner organizations are:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that pistachio producers in three states will vote Oct. 31 through Nov. 18, 2022, on whether to continue their federal marketing order. Producers who have produced pistachios in California, Arizona, and New Mexico from Sept. 1, 2021, through Aug. 31, 2022, are eligible to vote. Notice of the referendum was published in the Federal Register on Aug. 19, 2022.

Docket Number:  AMS–SC–22–0040
Dates:

The referendum will be conducted from October 31 through November 18, 2022. To vote in this referendum, producers must have produced pistachios within the designated production area during the period September 1, 2021, through August 31, 2022.

Summary