USDA Reopens Call for Tribal Advisory Committee Nominations

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is reopening its call for nominations on three Secretarial appointments to the USDA Tribal Advisory Committee. These members will be appointed by Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins and will be expected to serve a three-year term. Appointed members will serve with eight Congressionally appointed Committee members.

Nomination applications are due by March 31, 2026, at Tribal.Relations@usda.gov. Self-nomination may not be permitted. Nominations may only be submitted by the following Tribal entity categories:

• Indian Tribes as defined by 25 U.S.C. 5304.
• Tribal organizations as defined by 25 U.S.C. 5304
• National or regional organizations with expertise in issues relating to Tribal Advisory Committee duties, including intertribal organizations, tribal-serving organizations, colleges/universities, and community-based lending organizations.

Information on submitting a complete nomination package is available at https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-04387. Only complete nomination packages will be accepted for review. Questions may be directed to Josiah Griffin, Designated Federal Officer for the USDA Office of Tribal Relations, at (202) 205-2249 or Tribal.Relations@usda.gov.

The Committee consists of eleven members in total and represents a balance of geography, Indian Tribes, and the agriculture industry. More information about Committee membership and previously submitted recommendations is available on the Tribal Advisory Committee webpage on the Office of Tribal Relations website.

Congress mandated the establishment of a USDA Tribal Advisory Committee in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) to provide advice and guidance to the Secretary on matters relating to Tribal and Indian affairs. Tribal Advisory Committee members are eligible to receive compensation for each day participating in full Committee meetings and related travel to in-person meetings. The Office of Tribal Relations provides oversight to this Committee pursuant to the 2018 farm bill and Federal Advisory Committee Act.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. USDA Office of Communications sent this bulletin at 03/05/2026 12:10 PM EST