Search Results for agency_names:"Agriculture Department"

The Tri-County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will have a virtual meeting on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, at 9:00 a.m., Mountain Standard Time. This committee, under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, aims to improve collaboration and provide recommendations to the Forest Service on projects and funding under Title II of the Act. The public can request to make oral statements at the meeting, and written comments can be submitted to Jeanne Dawson, the RAC Coordinator. For further details or accommodations, people should contact Jeanne Dawson by phone or email.

The Forest Service of the USDA is inviting public comments regarding the continuation of a current information collection program, known as the Small Business Timber Sale Set-Aside Program. This initiative aims to ensure that small businesses have the opportunity to purchase timber from the National Forest System. Every five years, the Forest Service evaluates and adjusts the amount of timber reserved for small businesses, considering factors like manufacturing capability and business size changes. The public is encouraged to provide feedback on the necessity, accuracy, and ways to enhance the process of this information collection by April 26, 2021.

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 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 Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is planning to renew their approved information collection related to the importation and transportation of meat, poultry, and egg products, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This renewal involves no changes to the current information collection process, which aims to ensure these products are safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled. Comments on this matter must be submitted by April 21, 2025, and FSIS emphasizes the importance of public participation in these regulations to ensure their effectiveness and practicality. The collection includes foreign inspection certificates, documentation for pre-stamping procedures, and transport documentation under USDA seal.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to review the requirements for collecting certain information from the public, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. They are asking for public comments on the necessity, accuracy, and burden of this information collection, including how to reduce the burden through technology. Comments are due by January 22, 2025. The Forest Service specifically uses this information to ensure that the use of national forest lands aligns with public interest and complies with environmental laws, determining fees, and monitoring ongoing uses. This involves various respondents like individuals, businesses, and government entities.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the USDA has added Guatemala and Honduras to its list of regions affected by screwworm as of late 2024. This decision follows reports of screwworm outbreaks in livestock, including cattle and swine, in these countries. As a result, strict import restrictions on horses, ruminants, swine, and dogs from Guatemala and Honduras will be enforced to prevent the spread of screwworm into the United States. These measures are part of APHIS's efforts to protect U.S. livestock from communicable diseases.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted an information collection requirement to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. They are asking the public for comments on whether this information collection is necessary and how it could be improved. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) will collect details about organizations applying for research and education grants to ensure they can responsibly manage federal funds. This includes details like the organization's legal name, key officials, and financial health. The deadline for comments is March 31, 2025.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has announced proposed changes to the boundaries of areas where official service providers perform inspections and weighing services for grains under the United States Grain Standards Act. These updates are required because of changes to landmarks and infrastructures once used to mark these boundaries. The proposal aims to ensure that grain inspection services are delivered efficiently and accurately. AMS invites the public to comment on these proposals until February 12, 2025.

The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) is providing extra support to farmers impacted by COVID-19. This final rule offers more help to swine producers who applied for CFAP 1 and extends aid to some swine and poultry contract producers under CFAP 2. It also updates eligible commodities, changes payment calculations for some crops, and includes new rules based on the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. Eligible producers don't have to reapply if they've applied before but must meet certain criteria to receive aid.