News from August 2023


Food Distribution Programs: Improving Access and Parity discussed on Aug. 14 by Agriculture Department

The US Agriculture Department published a two page proposed rule on Aug. 14, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.


USDA Offers Disaster Program Flexibilities for Flood-Impacted Producers in the Northeast

News Release: Richmond, Vt., Aug. 14, 2023 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Risk Management Agency (RMA) have authorized policy flexibilities for key disaster assistance programs and crop insurance to aid Northeast agricultural operations that have been significantly impacted by recent flooding in 2023.


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request discussed on Aug. 15 by Agriculture Department

The US Agriculture Department published a one page notice on Aug. 15, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.


USDA Deputy Secretary Torres Small to Lead Trade Mission to Angola

News Release: Private exporters reported the following sales activity.


Export Sales to Unknown Destinations

Release: Private exporters reported the following sales activity.


Export Sales to Mexico

Release: Private exporters reported the following sales activity.


USDA Files Action Against Heyvel Produce LLC in Texas for Alleged PACA Violations

News Release: Washington - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative complaint against Heyvel Produce LLC (Heyvel) for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). The company, operating from Texas, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to one produce seller in the amount of $405,163 from June 2022 through July 2022.


Farm Bill 101: Research and Innovation

News Release: Supporting Research and Innovation: * The Farm Bill’s investments in agriculture research, extension, and education are critical to the resiliency of our farms, global food security, training the next generation of farmers, and mitigating against the climate crisis. * Its programs support research that ...


Modernizing SNAP Transactions with Local Farmers

Release: By Katrina Johnston, Public Affairs Specialist, Food and Nutrition Service.


USDA Invests Nearly $30 Million to Boost School Nutrition in 264 Small & Rural Communities through Partnership with Action for Healthy Kids

Release: WASHINGTON, August 7, 2023 As part of a cooperative agreement to develop and implement the U.S. Department of Agricultures Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative, Action for Healthy Kids today announced that it is awarding nearly $30 million in subgrants to 264 school districts across 44 states and the District of Columbia, reaching students in some of our nations highest need schools. These funds are being provided by USDAs Food and Nutrition Service.


REMINDER: Registration Opens Tomorrow to Provide Oral Public Comments to the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

Release: By HHS Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, USDA Food and Nutrition Service.


Agriculture Department discusses Plant Records To Include Grade Label Butterfat Testing on Aug. 15

The US Agriculture Department published a three page proposed rule on Aug. 15, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.


USDA Invests in Advancing Tribal Sovereignty through Eight New Self-Determination Projects for Tribal Food Program

Release: WASHINGTON, Aug. 14, 2023 U.S. Department of Agricultures Food and Nutrition Service recently signed contracts with eight tribes for new Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations Self-Determination Demonstration Projects. Empowering tribal nations to select and purchase foods themselves helps better align FDPIR food packages with tribal dietary preferences, supports indigenous agricultural producers and honors tribal sovereignty.


Agriculture Department discusses Cotton Board Rules and Regulations: Adjusting Supplemental Assessment on Imports (2023 Amendments) on Aug. 15

The US Agriculture Department published a one page rule on Aug. 15, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.


FACT SHEET: Marking One Year of the Inflation Reduction Act

News Release: WASHINGTON, DC, Aug. 16, 2023 - One year ago, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, which makes the largest investment in climate action in history. As a core pillar of Bidenomics and the President’s Investing in America agenda, the law is lowering energy costs, bringing opportunity to communities across America and tackling the climate crisis through investments in agriculture, forest restoration, and rural communities.


USDA-FS grant application closes on Nov. 30

Landscape Scale Restoration Grant Program 2024 Northeast and Midwest grant opened on Aug. 18.


USDA-FS grant application closes on Dec. 15

Landscape Scale Restoration Grant Program 2024 Tribes grant opened on Aug. 18.


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection discussed on Aug. 17 by Agriculture Department

The US Agriculture Department published a one page notice on Aug. 17, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.


Statement by Secretary Vilsack Regarding USMCA Dispute Settlement Panel Request on Mexico’s Agricultural Biotechnology Measures

News Release: WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2023 - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack issued the following statement regarding today’s announcement by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) that the United States has requested the establishment of a dispute settlement panel with Mexico under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in regard to Mexico’s agricultural biotechnology policies.


USDA-FS offers new grant application process starting Aug. 18

Landscape Scale Restoration Grant Program 2024 Southern and IITF grant opened on Aug. 18.