Search Results for agency_names:"Agriculture Department"

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), a part of the USDA, is inviting public comments on a proposed information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This is related to a program offering loans and grants for water and waste projects in small rural communities. The public is encouraged to comment on aspects such as the necessity and accuracy of the information collected, methods to enhance the information's quality, and ways to reduce any burden it might cause. Comments are to be submitted by April 12, 2021, via the Federal eRulemaking Portal.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), a part of the United States Department of Agriculture, has enacted a final rule to remove regulations that allowed horse slaughter establishments to pay for ante-mortem inspections. This action follows a court decision that vacated the previous rule, finding it violated environmental and administrative procedures. As a result, FSIS is updating its rules to align with the court's directive. The rule change was not open to public comment due to an exception for straightforward legal compliance matters.

The Colville Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold a public meeting on April 16, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time. The meeting, organized by the Forest Service under the Agriculture Department, aims to improve collaboration and offer recommendations on projects and recreation fee proposals related to the Colville National Forest in Washington State. Public comments, both written and oral, are encouraged but must be submitted by April 10, 2025. The meeting accommodates both in-person and virtual attendance, and those with disabilities may request necessary accommodations in advance.

The Forest Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has announced a virtual meeting of the Saguache—Upper Rio Grande Resource Advisory Committee on February 23, 2021. This committee, established under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, aims to improve collaboration and offer advice on projects and funding. The meeting will review committee guidelines, accept public input on projects, and discuss new Title II projects. The public is invited to attend and may submit comments or request time to speak during the meeting.

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.

The final rule permanently adopts changes to the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) made by the interim rule published in January 2020. It responds to public comments and adjusts several program aspects, including clarifying definitions, addressing eligibility requirements for agricultural and wetland easements, and enhancing conservation and land management practices. The changes, based on the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, are intended to improve the program's efficiency, allowing for more flexible non-Federal cost-sharing and incorporating additional conservation planning. The rule emphasizes voluntary participation by landowners and seeks to enhance the conservation value of public investments.

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the USDA has issued a notice for public comment on a proposed information collection related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This involves using data from the National Directory of New Hires (NDNH) to verify employment information for SNAP applicants and recipients. The goal is to ensure that households receive the correct amount of benefits based on accurate employment data. Public comments are invited on the effectiveness and efficiency of this information collection.

The final rule by the U.S. Department of Agriculture simplifies and unifies deadlines for submitting required documents for three disaster assistance programs: the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP), the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP), and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). It also clarifies assistance rules for transporting livestock feed, including eligible conditions and documentation requirements, such as needing verifiable records for claimed losses. The rule became effective upon its publication in the Federal Register and does not require a notice or comment period.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review under the Paperwork Reduction Act. They are seeking public comments on whether this data collection is necessary, the accuracy of the time estimates, and how to reduce the burden of data collection. The Rural Housing Service is using this collection to manage and evaluate the Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP), which aims to increase affordable rural rental housing by partnering with lenders and public agencies. Interested parties have until March 15, 2021, to submit comments.

The Department of Agriculture is seeking feedback on a new information collection requirement under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. They are asking the public to comment on whether the collection is necessary, how accurate the burden estimate is, and ways to improve the collection process. The focus of the collection is on policies related to crop insurance managed by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC). The agency wants to ensure that the insurance programs are fair and beneficial to both farmers and taxpayers. Public comments on this matter are invited until February 26, 2021.