Agriculture & Food Safety

CCC Payment Application Deceased Missing Incompetent Persons

The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) are requesting comments on an extension, without change, of a currently approved information collection (OMB No. 0560-0026) related to Form FSA-325, Application for Payment of Amounts Due Persons Who Have Died, Disappeared, or Have Been Declared Incompetent. The collection is used to determine whether representatives or survivors of a producer are entitled to receive payments earned but not yet paid to a producer who has died, disappeared, or been declared incompetent. The estimated annual burden remains 1,000 hours with 2,000 respondents.

USDA Modifies 12 Privacy Act Systems of Records for Treasury Data Sharing

USDA proposes modifying 12 Privacy Act systems of records to add a new routine use permitting disclosure of records to the U.S. Department of the Treasury for identifying, preventing, or recouping improper payments through the Do Not Pay Working System. The affected systems cover rural development program participants, food and nutrition service data, farm service programs, veterinary loan administration, Federal Crop Insurance compliance, employee assistance programs, and USDA accounting, budgeting, procurement, and acquisition functions. The comment period closes May 13, 2026.

USDA Revises Delegations of Authority, Effective April 13, 2026

The USDA has issued a final rule revising delegations of authority in 7 CFR part 2. The rule codifies Secretary's Memorandums SM 1077-012 (delegating authority to RMA for cost-reimbursable agreements) and SM 1078-018 (delegating authority for Service First co-location program), rescinds DEI/SEP program delegations per SM 1078-001, makes technical citation corrections including updates to Defense Production Act references and Service First authority citations per the EXPLORE Act, and adds new delegations consistent with ongoing Department activities. USDA agencies and staff offices subject to these delegations should review updated authority structures and ensure compliance with rescinded DEI program delegations. The RMA Administrator gains codified authority for Federal Crop Insurance Program agreements, and all USDA offices may now participate in Federal co-location programs under Service First.

State Forest Law and Policy Information Collection Request

The USDA Forest Service is seeking public comments on a new information collection request titled "State Forest Law and Policy" (OMB 0596-NEW). The collection will gather information on how states and U.S. Territories regulate and incentivize forest management on private and state lands. Comments are due by June 12, 2026.

National Woodland Owner Survey Extension With Revisions, Comment Request

The USDA Forest Service is seeking public comments on an extension with revisions to the National Woodland Owner Survey (OMB No. 0596-0078). The survey collects information on forestland ownership, management motivations, usage patterns, and future intentions. Comments must be submitted by June 12, 2026.

Over $275M Specialty Crop Grant Funding Available

USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins announced over $275 million in grant funding for FY2026 for specialty crop producers through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI), Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), and Specialty Crop Multi-State Program (SCMP). Funding through the Working Families Tax Cuts doubled SCRI from $80M to $175M annually and increased SCBGP/SCMP combined funding from $85M to $100M annually. NIFA will implement SCRI with a new $20M setaside for mechanization and automation research.

60-Day Notice: Foreign Assistance Recordkeeping Information Collection

The Department of State seeks public comment on a proposed information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act for Foreign Assistance Recordkeeping Requirements. The collection targets foreign and U.S. NGOs and international organizations, with an estimated 2,500 respondents facing a total burden of 600,000 hours. Comments are due by June 5, 2026.

USDA Adds Seedless Lemon Definition and Marking Requirements to Lemon Grade Standards

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service is revising the U.S. Standards for Grades of Lemons to add a definition for "seedless lemons." The new definition specifies that when marked seedless, a 100-count composite sample shall have no more than 6 fruit (6 percent) containing seeds, including both fully developed and undeveloped seeds. The rule also establishes marking requirements requiring "seedless" to be legibly marked on at least 95 percent of containers, including consumer units. The changes are effective May 13, 2026.

Food Price Data Collection Study, Non-Contiguous States, Deadline Jun 8

USDA Food and Nutrition Service invites public comments on a proposed information collection to gather food prices in Alaska, Hawaii, American Samoa, CNMI, Guam, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands to inform Thrifty Food Plan calculations. Comments are due June 8, 2026. This study fills a data gap in existing retail scanner data for these non-contiguous states and territories.

Child Nutrition Programs Income Eligibility Guidelines 2026-2027

The Food and Nutrition Service announces annual adjustments to Income Eligibility Guidelines for Child Nutrition Programs effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. These guidelines determine eligibility for free and reduced-price meals, free milk, and Summer EBT benefits. The adjustments are based on changes to the Consumer Price Index as required by section 9 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act.

Objective Yield Surveys - Information Collection Under OMB Review

The Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service submitted its Objective Yield Surveys information collection to OMB for review under the Paperwork Reduction Act. Comments are requested by May 11, 2026. The renewal reinstates the Cotton Objective Yield Survey, discontinues the California Almonds and Oregon Hazelnuts Surveys, and reduces the Florida Citrus survey from 12 to 5 data collection waves. Approximately 12,000 farms and agricultural businesses will provide data with a total annual burden of 3,346 hours.

2026 RMA Organic Price Survey - OMB Information Collection Request

USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has submitted an information collection request to OMB for the 2026 RMA Organic Price Survey under OMB Control No. 0535-0264. The survey will collect price and sales data from certified organic farms across all 50 states to support USDA Risk Management Agency's organic crop insurance price elections. An estimated 27,000 respondents (farmers and ranchers) will report once annually, with total burden hours of 15,077.

Information Collection OMB Review: Cotton Ginning Survey

The Department of Agriculture has published notice that the National Agricultural Statistics Service's Cotton Ginning Survey (OMB Control No. 0535-0220) completed its Office of Management and Budget review under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The survey collects cotton ginning data from 575 respondents across 17 cotton-producing states, with total estimated burden of 1,218 hours. The public comment period closed on May 11, 2026.

USDA NASS 30-Day PRA Notice - Current Agricultural Industrial Reports (0535-0254)

USDA NASS publishes a 30-day notice extending the public comment period for the Current Agricultural Industrial Reports (CAIR) information collection under OMB Control No. 0535-0254. The notice requests comments on burden estimates, necessity, and utility of collecting monthly, quarterly, and annual data on agricultural industrial operations. Comments are due May 11, 2026.

NASS Conservation Effects Assessment Project Survey OMB Review Comments Requested

The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is requesting OMB review of a substantive change to the Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) Survey under OMB Control Number 0535-0245. NASS proposes adding text and email reminder messages to improve survey response rates, which will increase respondent burden hours. The change affects approximately 20,000 farm and ranch operators annually who participate in the National Resources Inventory sub-sample.

Rural Utilities Service SUTA Initiative OMB Information Collection Extension

USDA Rural Utilities Service has submitted for OMB review the extension of an existing information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act for the Substantially Underserved Trust Areas (SUTA) initiative at 7 CFR 1700, Subpart D. The SUTA initiative provides discretionary authorities for financial assistance terms to enhance financing for rural electric, water and waste, telecommunications and broadband infrastructure in underserved trust areas. Public comments are requested by May 11, 2026.

Information Collection: State Forest Law and Policy

The United States Forest Service is seeking public comments on a proposed information collection regarding state forest laws and policies. The notice invites interested parties to submit feedback on the scope and content of the information to be collected. Comments must be submitted by June 12, 2026.

National Woodland Owner Survey Information Collection Comment Request

The USDA Forest Service has published a notice in the Federal Register seeking public comments on an information collection request for the National Woodland Owner Survey. The survey collects data on private woodland ownership patterns, land use, management practices, and owner demographics. Comments are due June 12, 2026.

USDA Modifies 12 Privacy Act Systems for Treasury Data Sharing

USDA proposes to modify 12 systems of records to add a new routine use permitting disclosure to the U.S. Department of the Treasury for the purpose of identifying, preventing, or recouping improper payments through the Do Not Pay Working System. The modifications support OMB Memorandum M-25-32 and E.O. 14249 compliance. The comment period closes May 13, 2026, with revisions effective upon publication.

Rural Housing Revises Income Calculation for Section 515 Rural Rental Housing and Section 514/516 Farm Labor Housing

USDA Rural Housing Service published a final rule amending 7 CFR 3560 to revise income calculation methodologies for Section 515 Rural Rental Housing and Section 514/516 Farm Labor Housing programs. The rule updates how annual household income and net family assets are calculated for program eligibility determinations. The changes implement provisions from the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA) and took effect on April 13, 2026.

USDA Revises Secretary Delegations of Authority Under 7 CFR Part 2

The USDA published a final rule amending 7 CFR Part 2 to revise delegations of authority from the Secretary of Agriculture to subordinate officials. The rule takes effect April 13, 2026. This is an administrative reorganization of internal USDA authority structures with no direct external compliance obligations.

U.S. Standards for Grades of Lemons Revised to Add Seedless Definition

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service is revising the U.S. Standards for Grades of Lemons to add a definition for "seedless lemons" (containing five or fewer fully developed seeds when marked as seedless) and establish associated marking requirements. This revision was requested by California Citrus Mutual, representing 95 percent of the nation's lemon producers, to accommodate newly developed seedless lemon varieties. The standards are effective May 13, 2026.

Information Collection Request; Inventory Property Management

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) published a notice in the Federal Register requesting public comments on an information collection related to inventory property management. The notice advises that comments on this collection must be submitted within 60 days of publication. FSA is seeking feedback on the burden estimates and information requirements associated with managing inventory property under their jurisdiction.

United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Asparagus Proposed Revision

USDA AMS proposes revisions to the United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Asparagus by updating percent head material requirements for the 'cut spears or cuts and tips' style and changing the definition of head for that style. The changes respond to a petition from the Michigan Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Association and aim to align standards with modern harvesting practices affected by rising labor costs. Comments must be submitted by June 9, 2026.

USDA AMS Proposes Revised Standards for Grades of Mushrooms

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service proposes revisions to U.S. Standards for Grades of Mushrooms. The proposed changes would add a new grade for portabella mushrooms, remove size from grade criteria and establish it as a separate section, and revise defect tolerances to align with current industry practices. Comments will be accepted through June 9, 2026.

Frozen Asparagus Grade Standards Comment Submission

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has opened a public comment period through Regulations.gov (docket AMS-SC-25-0520-0001) on proposed grade standards for frozen asparagus. Stakeholders may submit comments through the online portal, identifying as an individual, organization, or anonymously. Comments may be publicly disclosed and will be included in the official docket.

AMS Proposes Revised Mushroom Grade Standards for Public Comment

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking public comments on proposed standards for mushroom grades under docket AMS-SC-25-0056. This regulatory consultation allows interested parties to submit feedback on potential changes to grading standards through the official regulations.gov platform.

USDA Removes 48-Hour Pre-Export Examination Requirement for Horse Imports

USDA-APHIS has removed the requirement that horses imported to the United States be accompanied by documentation of pre-export examination within 48 hours of departure from the port of embarkation, endorsed by a salaried veterinary medical officer. The agency determined that logistical barriers prevented affected parties from meeting this requirement as written. The final rule, effective May 11, 2026, removes § 93.314(a)(5) while retaining other horse import regulations including port-of-entry inspections and quarantine protocols.

Multi-Family Housing Simple Transfer Pilot Program Extended to Dec 2027

The Rural Housing Service (RHS) extended its Multi-Family Housing Simple Transfer Pilot Program until December 31, 2027. The pilot streamlines property transfers for USDA Section 514 Farm Labor Housing and Section 515 Rural Rental Housing properties, reducing extensive application requirements for less complex transactions. RHS may further extend, modify, or terminate the program based on workload, budget, public feedback, and program effectiveness.

Revising U.S. Standards for Grades of Mushrooms

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service proposes to add a Portabella grade classification and revise defect tolerances in the U.S. Standards for Grades of Mushrooms. The proposal, open for a 60-day public comment period, would update quality standards for cultivated mushrooms sold in U.S. commerce. Affected parties may submit comments through June 9, 2026.

Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

OMB requests public comment on information collection requirements

Submission for OMB Review Comment Request

The Department of Agriculture published a notice announcing the submission of an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and public comment. The notice solicits comments on the proposed information collection requirements prior to OMB approval. Affected parties have the opportunity to submit comments regarding the burden estimate and necessity of the collection.

OMB Submission Requesting Comments on Information Collection

OMB Submission Requesting Comments on Information Collection

OMB Submission Paperwork Reduction Act Review

The Department of Agriculture submitted an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The notice solicits public comments on the agency's paperwork burden estimates and information collection requirements. This is a routine administrative action required for USDA to maintain authority to collect information from the public.

United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Asparagus Proposed Revisions

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service is proposing to revise the United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Asparagus by updating style requirements for percent head material in the "cut spears or cuts and tips" style and changing the definition of a head for this style. These changes aim to align grade standards with modern harvesting practices and provide guidance for effective commodity utilization.

30-Day Federal Register Notice: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

The Department of Agriculture published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the submission of an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget for review under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The notice opens a 30-day public comment period on the proposed information collection. No specific compliance obligations or industry requirements are detailed in this procedural announcement.

USDA Removes Horse Import Pre-Export Examination Requirement

USDA APHIS issued a final rule removing the mandatory pre-export examination requirement for horses imported into the United States. The change affects importers and exporters of horses by eliminating an examination step previously required before entry. The rule takes effect May 11, 2026.

Dairy Tariff-Rate Quota Import Licensing Program - Comment Period Extended to April 23

The Foreign Agricultural Service has extended the public comment period for the proposed Dairy Tariff-Rate Quota Import Licensing Program rule (91 FR 11174) by 15 days. Comments are now due by April 23, 2026, instead of the original deadline of April 8, 2026. The extension responds to stakeholder requests for additional time to analyze the proposed amendments to dairy import licensing regulations under tariff-rate quotas.

Dairy Tariff-Rate Quota Comment Period Ends Apr 23

The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is seeking public comments on dairy tariff-rate quotas (TRQs). Tariff-rate quotas allow a specified volume of dairy imports at lower duty rates, with higher rates applied to imports exceeding the quota. Comments must be submitted by April 23 via Regulations.gov.

USDA Decreases Grape Assessment Rate $0.040 to $0.030

USDA AMS final rule decreases the assessment rate for grapes grown in southeastern California from $0.040 to $0.030 per 18-pound lug, effective for the 2025 fiscal period and subsequent periods. The rate applies to handlers under Marketing Order No. 925 and will remain in effect until modified, suspended, or terminated.

Sky Ranch Meat Undeclared Sesame Beef Pork Public Health Alert

Sky Ranch Meat Undeclared Sesame Beef Pork Alert

USDA Customer Experience Collection PRA Notice, Comments Due May 8, 2026

The USDA Office of the Chief Information Officer invites public comment on the renewal of its Generic Clearance for Improving Customer Experience (OMB #0503-0024) under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The collection facilitates USDA's collection of voluntary public feedback to improve government services in compliance with the Government Service Delivery Improvement Act and 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act. Comments are due May 8, 2026.

OMB Review Request Customer Experience Circular A-11

The Department of Agriculture has submitted an information collection requirement to OMB for review under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The collection relates to Rural Utilities Service programs for the Substantially Underserved Trust Areas (SUTA) initiative covering electric, water/waste, telecommunications, and broadband infrastructure for underserved rural communities. Comments on the burden estimate and utility of the collection are requested by May 11, 2026.

Child Nutrition Programs Income Eligibility Guidelines

USDA Food and Nutrition Service published annual adjustments to Income Eligibility Guidelines for child nutrition programs effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The guidelines determine eligibility thresholds for free and reduced-price meals, free milk, and Summer EBT benefits under the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program. Revisions are based on Consumer Price Index changes as required by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act.

Food Price Data Collection Study in Non-Contiguous States and Territories

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service published a notice seeking public comments on a new information collection study to collect food and beverage prices in seven non-contiguous states and territories including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The data will inform the Thrifty Food Plan, which estimates the cost of a healthy diet for federal nutrition programs. Comments are due June 8, 2026.

Dairy Tariff-Rate Quota Import Licensing Program Extension

USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service extended the public comment period for the proposed Dairy Tariff-Rate Quota Import Licensing Program rule by 15 days. Comments are now due on or before April 23, 2026. The extension responds to requests from interested parties seeking additional time to analyze the proposal and prepare comments.

Grapes Grown in Southeastern California; Decreased Assessment Rate

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service issued a final rule decreasing the assessment rate for grapes grown in southeastern California from $0.040 to $0.030 per 18-pound lug, effective May 11, 2026. The change implements a recommendation from the California Desert Grape Administrative Committee for the 2025 fiscal period and subsequent periods under Marketing Order No. 925. Grape producers and handlers in the designated area must pay the reduced assessment rate on all 18-pound lugs handled.

APHIS Leadership Retirement and Appointments

USDA APHIS announced the retirement of Associate Administrator Michelle Wenberg after 38 years of federal service, and the appointments of Matthew Rhoads as Deputy Administrator for Plant Protection and Quarantine and Hallie Zimmers as Deputy Administrator for Emergency and Regulatory Compliance Services. Wenberg's portfolio will be distributed among current executive leaders.

Updated New World Screwworm Response Playbook Released

USDA APHIS released an updated New World Screwworm Response Playbook on April 8, 2026, replacing a draft version from October 2025. The 200+ page playbook provides science-based strategies for coordinated federal, state, tribal, and local response operations, including expanded wildlife management guidance, clarified terminology, and updated animal movement requirements for responding to NWS detections.

OPM Regulatory Filings Search Results - 2,274 Documents

Regulations.gov lists 2,274 regulatory filings from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), sorted by most recent posting date. OPM regulates federal employee benefits, retirement programs, and human resources policies for the federal workforce. This search results aggregation provides access to proposed rules, final rules, and notices issued by OPM across its regulatory portfolio.