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The Department of Agriculture has submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget for approval of information collection requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Rural Business-Cooperative Service is conducting an annual survey to gather data about farmer cooperatives, which includes statistics on business volume, net income, and financial status. Additionally, they have a voluntary labeling program for biobased products aimed at promoting renewable fuels. The information collected will help determine eligibility for grants and improve service and analysis. Comments on these information collections are invited until February 5, 2025.

The Agricultural Marketing Service of the Department of Agriculture has finalized a rule making clarifying changes to the Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion, Research, and Information Order. These changes update definitions and processes such as nominations, voting methods for Board meetings, financial reporting, and when exemptions can be requested, to better align with current industry practices. The updates also address how partnerships are recognized and clarify the obligations for paying assessments. Despite some mixed feedback during the public comment period, the rule aims to reduce confusion and improve fairness in the paper and paper-based packaging industry.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture is implementing a new rule to establish standardized formulas for calculating user fees for services provided by the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS). The changes aim to help FGIS charge fees that cover the costs of these services and maintain a reserve fund for operations, as required by law. The rule also includes some corrections and updates to existing regulations without imposing new requirements. These new fee regulations will ensure greater transparency and predictability for businesses using FGIS services.

The Department of Agriculture will submit an information collection requirement to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review as part of the Paperwork Reduction Act. This request is related to the Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP), which aims to boost locally grown food quantities and quality in food-insecure communities. The program, funded by the Farm Bill, collects essential information from grant applicants, primarily from agricultural agencies or departments in various U.S. territories, to ensure compliance with program regulations. Responses are submitted voluntarily and have a total burden of about 318 hours.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the Department of Agriculture is amending the list of biological agents and toxins under the Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002. This change involves removing pathogens like Brucella abortus, Brucella suis, Brucella melitensis, Peronosclerospora philippinensis, and African horse sickness virus from the list of select agents. These changes are due to the evaluation that these agents are unlikely to serve as bioterrorism threats and are expected to reduce costs and enhance research opportunities, benefiting producers and research institutions.

The Department of Agriculture is seeking public comments as part of its submission of information collection requirements to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Various programs within the Rural Housing Service, including Civil Rights Compliance, Fire and Rescue Loans, and the Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program, are highlighted for their information collection efforts. These collections aim to ensure compliance with civil rights laws, determine project feasibility, and manage government resources efficiently. Public comments regarding these collections are due by February 20, 2025.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted information collection requirements to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The department is seeking public comments on whether the information collection is necessary, its accuracy, and ways to reduce the burden on those who must respond. Programs involved include the Export Credit Guarantee Program, Food Donation Programs, and the Pima Agriculture Cotton Trust Fund, each with specific information collection needs essential for program operations. These programs aim to support agricultural exports, provide food aid, and distribute funds related to the cotton industry.

The Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is seeking proposals from eligible Tribal Organizations to participate in a demonstration project aimed at purchasing agricultural commodities for the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). This project is authorized by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 and will allow selected Tribal Organizations to enter self-determination contracts for food purchases. A total of $3 million is allocated for the project, with individual proposals not exceeding $1.5 million. Proposals should be submitted by March 15, 2021, and organizations will be selected based on various criteria, including their capacity to purchase and distribute locally grown foods.

The Public Buildings Reform Board (PBRB) will hold its tenth public meeting as allowed by the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 (FASTA). The meeting is set for January 28, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Washington, DC, at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Board will talk about its past work and plan for future actions. People interested in attending should register online, and a transcript of the meeting will be available on the PBRB website afterward.