Recognizing the importance of improving the food and agricultural supply chain, the Northern Cheyenne Tribe (NCT) and its partners aim to procure and distribute regional beef, buffalo, and produce to the reservation residents. Access to healthy food is a fundamental aspect of human well- being. Unfortunately, on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, there is only one reliable food source for the 5,800 residents who live here or within a 25-mile radius.

The Navajo Nation aims to support local Navajo agricultural producers, farm cooperatives, meat suppliers, including Navajo Agricultural Products Industry (NAPI), the tribal farm agribusiness enterprise of the Navajo Nation farming approximately 90,000 acres.

The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians will offer a Local Food Purchase Assistance Program to target access to healthy food (food with little to no preservatives/empty calories) to local TMBCI members including access to local superfoods (hemp Hearts) and fresh produce derived from local producers, farmers and ranchers which increase local very small business (VSB) production and assisting socially and economically disadvantaged individual (SEDI) farmers, ranchers and producers gain access to capital boosting our local economy.

The Commodity Procurement Program’s Specialty Crops Procurement Division will hold a virtual 2025 Industry Meeting via Zoom to discuss specialty crop purchase programs on Jan. 29, 2025, 12 – 1:30 p.m. ET. This meeting will afford industry an opportunity to hear about upcoming changes and allow collaboration with other supplier and contractor stakeholders.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the appointment of seven members, seven alternates, and two advisors to serve three-year terms on the Cotton Board from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027. Additionally, USDA appointed seven individuals to fill board vacancies.

Newly appointed members:

• Caroline Collins Barber, Charlotte, N.C.
• Kelly Gupta, Houston, Texas
• Doyle Schniers, San Angelo, Texas

Newly appointed alternate members:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the appointment of 36 members to serve on the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board. Thirty-five members will serve three-year terms, and one member will serve a two-year term. The terms of the new appointees will begin February 2025.

Newly appointed members are: