Search Results for agency_names:"Agriculture Department"

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) has announced changes to the funding and payment limits for the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC). The application deadline is extended to January 10, 2025, and the amount of available funding is increased by $650 million, bringing the total to $2.65 billion. Additionally, the payment limit has been raised from $125,000 to $900,000 per person or legal entity, in response to feedback about the high costs of marketing specialty crops. These adjustments are meant to better support specialty crop producers in marketing their products effectively.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is planning to release an insect called Lilioceris egena to help control the invasive air potato plant, Dioscorea bulbifera, across the continental United States. After studying the potential environmental impact, APHIS believes that releasing this insect won't cause significant harm to the environment. They have prepared an environmental assessment (EA) document detailing their findings and are inviting the public to review and comment on this EA by February 8, 2021. This effort aims to manage the spread of air potato, which threatens native vegetation in several states, including Florida, where it's already widespread.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is working on an environmental impact statement (EIS) to explore different approaches to managing predator damage in Oregon. They are seeking public comments to help outline various alternatives, environmental issues, and other concerns to be considered in the EIS. This effort includes cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, and aims to replace existing environmental assessments with a more comprehensive analysis. The public is encouraged to submit comments and scientific data by February 22, 2021.

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (Agency), USDA released a correction notice to a previous announcement about the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program. The initial notice contained two incorrect funding amounts and did not mention that applicants could submit their applications via email. This correction updates the available funding to approximately $33 million and clarifies that applications can be submitted either in paper or electronically by specific deadlines. The notice also provides guidance on where and how to send applications.

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service under the USDA has issued a notice inviting applications for grants under the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) Program for the fiscal year 2021. These grants aim to promote economic development and job creation in rural areas by funding business opportunity and enterprise projects. Applications must be submitted by March 31, 2021, to the appropriate USDA Rural Development State Office. Eligibility is limited to public bodies, government entities, Indian Tribes, or nonprofit entities primarily serving rural areas, with strict requirements and a competitive selection process based on specific criteria.

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 Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board will hold an in-person public meeting on January 15, 2025, in Rapid City, South Dakota. The meeting will provide advice and recommendations on various forest issues like forest health, travel management, and recreation fees. Individuals interested in participating must pre-register by January 10, 2025, for oral comments or submit written comments by the same date. The meeting follows guidelines to ensure accessibility and non-discrimination as per USDA policies.

The Agricultural Marketing Service of the USDA is announcing a virtual meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) from April 28 to April 30, 2021, to discuss and vote on recommendations related to organic agriculture. The board will also receive updates from the USDA National Organic Program and hear public comments. Interested members of the public can submit their comments online by April 5, 2021, or participate in webinars on April 20 and April 22, 2021. The meeting is open to everyone, but registration is required for those who wish to provide oral comments.

The U.S. Codex Office will hold a public meeting on May 29, 2025, to discuss agenda items for the 18th Session of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF18), which will take place in Thailand in June 2025. This meeting will help inform attendees about various topics like setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in food, developing codes of practice for food safety, and providing updates from other international organizations. The meeting aims to encourage public input and transparency in policy-making related to food contaminants. Interested parties can attend via video teleconference and are invited to submit comments electronically.

The Rural Housing Service, part of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), announced that it is accepting applications for the 2021 Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) Grant Program. This program aims to help organizations in rural areas access funding for essential community services. Applications must be submitted by March 29, 2021, for paper copies, and by March 22, 2021, for electronic submissions. The grants will focus on projects that strengthen rural communities, particularly those tackling issues like opioid misuse, under the USDA's efforts to boost rural economic prosperity and quality of life.