Search Results for agency_names:"Agriculture Department"

The Department of Agriculture has submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review of a proposed information collection as required under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This collection relates to the importation of farm equipment in order to prevent foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) from entering the United States. It includes a requirement for exporters to provide certification that their equipment has been steam-cleaned to remove any dirt or particulate material. Public comments on this proposal are invited and must be submitted by March 31, 2025.

The Department of Agriculture is submitting a request for review and approval of their information collection requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act. They seek public comments on whether the information collected is necessary, accurate, and useful. The National Agricultural Statistics Service aims to gather data on the stocks of grains, hops, oilseeds, and other crops to provide reports that aid government agencies, state agencies, and market participants. The information is collected from farms and businesses with around 9,925 respondents, and these reports serve as crucial economic indicators.

The Department of Agriculture is seeking public comments on its information collection for the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program as part of an effort to assess its social, ecological, and economic impacts. The feedback will help with adaptive management and improve future forest restoration projects. People can submit their comments by February 26, 2021, through the reginfo.gov website, where they can find the survey under “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments.” The survey targets individuals or households, with an estimated 2,330 respondents expected to participate annually, contributing to a total burden of 320 hours.

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the USDA is seeking public comments on a new proposed information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This collection, known as the Study of Nutrition and Activity in Child Care Settings II (SNACS-II), aims to gather comprehensive data on the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and update information following new meal pattern requirements introduced in 2017. The study will analyze various aspects, such as the nutritional quality of meals, children's dietary intakes, and the costs involved in providing meals. Public input is requested by April 19, 2021, and all comments will contribute to the final request for approval by the Office of Management and Budget.

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the USDA plans to update an existing online form for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed). The form, called the SNAP-Ed Connection Resource Sharing Form, is used by SNAP-Ed personnel and nutrition education developers to submit educational materials for review and potential inclusion in the SNAP-Ed Library. The updates aim to improve data accuracy without increasing the users' workload. Comments on these proposed changes are invited by April 19, 2021, and may include suggestions on minimizing the form's information collection burden.

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, and Rural Utilities Service within the USDA have issued corrections to a final rule for the OneRD Guarantee Loan Program originally published on September 30, 2024. These corrections address issues such as a misspelled subject heading, incorrect instructions, an incomplete definition of an "affiliate," and inaccuracies regarding protective advances. Key changes include clarifying rules about when agency approval is required for protective advances and updating specific sections of the regulation. This corrected rule aims to improve the management of agricultural and rural development loan programs.

The U.S. Codex Office is hosting a virtual public meeting on March 29, 2021, to discuss agenda items and U.S. positions for the 5th Session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) scheduled for April 26-30, 2021. This event allows interested parties to learn about the session's topics, like standards for dried oregano and other spices, and to provide feedback. Registration for the public meeting is available online or via email until March 15, 2021. The U.S. Codex Office aims to promote awareness of these discussions and ensure equal access and opportunity for all participants.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service have announced the availability of the Records of Decision for a new Resource Management Plan for parts of the Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. This plan includes immediate changes for BLM lands and amendments for Forest Service lands to enhance management and conservation efforts. The plan was developed with input from the public, state, local, and tribal entities and focuses on protecting the area's natural and cultural resources. Both departments have addressed and resolved protests and concerns from the Governor of Utah regarding the plan.

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 U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced new income eligibility guidelines for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), effective from July 1, 2025. These guidelines will help State agencies determine if someone can get help from WIC by comparing their family's income to federal poverty levels. The guidelines are updated every year and are linked to the standards set for reduced-price school meals. The notice includes tables with income limits for different areas, such as Alaska, Hawaii, and the 48 contiguous States.