Summary:

• IFAI completed an analysis on the amendments offered during the markup session for the House Committee version of the 2026 Farm Bill (H.R.7567) For more information on our analysis, key takeaways for Indian Country, and registration for IFAI’s upcoming Farm Bill Update webinar on Mar. 18, 2026, click HERE
• Interested in having discussions about IFAI’s Tribal Governance Guide to Food and Agriculture? Contact us now to schedule a Governance Guide Roundtables for your Tribe.
• This week IFAI will watch the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry hearing for potential issues related to Tribal food and agriculture.
• The Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Self-Governance has set dates for Tribes and Tribal consortia to submit applications for self-governance opportunities. For more information, see their Federal Register notice: Deadlines: Participation in the Tribal Self-Governance Program in Fiscal or Calendar Year 2027.
• Reminder: If you are interested in participating in IFAI’s 2026 Native Youth in Food and Agriculture Leadership Summit, the final deadline for all applications is next Friday, Mar. 20, 2026!
• Interested in Indian Country agricultural law and policy? IFAI is looking for a Law and Policy Fellow! The program is for third-year law students or recent law grads.

Outreach Calendar

General Policy Update:

Governance Guide Roundtables

• In November 2025, IFAI released the Tribal Governance Guide to Food and Agriculture to help Tribal Nations navigate the complex frameworks and policy considerations towards food sovereignty.
• IFAI is now offering Tribal Food Policy Roundtables in relation to the Governance Guide. Each roundtable will be tailored to the unique priorities and interests of the hosting Tribe/Tribal organization. Discussions will vary but may include (1) an overview of the Governance Guide; (2) in-depth discussions on tools and resources within the Guide; and (3) open dialogue with Tribal leadership, Tribal staff, and Tribal producers.
• All roundtables are offered at no cost to the Tribe. 

Fiscal year 2027 funding process kicks off

• On Feb. 25, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) announced the beginning of the appropriations process for Fiscal Year 2027, which runs Oct. 1, 2026, to Sept. 30, 2027. The appropriations process provides discretionary funding to Federal departments and agencies through 12 appropriations bills. Indian agriculture stakeholders may be most interested in the Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration bill and the Interior and the Environment bill, which funds the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

• House of Representatives offices welcome appropriations requests from stakeholders. Each House office has a different process and deadline for appropriation requests, so interested stakeholders should check their Representative’s official website for more information. Expect deadlines to be approaching fast, likely in the next 1-2 weeks. Most, but not all, Representatives accept three types of appropriations requests: 

• Programmatic request: Requesting a specific funding level for a federal agency or program
• Language request: Requesting language to be included in the appropriations bill or accompanying report
• Community Project Funding: Requesting direct funds for a community project led by a State, Tribal, or local government or certain non-profits. 

• The House Appropriations Interior Subcommittee, which funds the Bureau of Indian Affairs, will host open Tribal Witness Days on March 17 and March 18. While the deadline to testify in person has passed, the Subcommittee will accept written testimony until April 24. Instructions for written testimony are available here, and examples are available on the Subcommittee website here.

Tribal Consultation/Listening Sessions/Advisory Committee Meetings: 

Title of Event: FDPIR Produce Safety Training

About: This is a 2-day in-person training designed to provide hands-on learning opportunities for FDPIR program operators and staff who are receiving, handling, and storing fresh produce. The training helps Tribes and State agencies properly assess and safely distribute fresh produce to program participants.

 Date(s), Time, and Location:

• • April 9 – 10, 2026 at Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa: REGISTER
  • May 19 – 20, 2026 at Spirit Lake Tribe: REGISTER
  • June 2026 (alongside the NAFDPIR Annual Conference in Niagara Falls, NY): REGISTER

Congressional Updates: 

Looking Back:

Hearing: House Committee on Agriculture on Tuesday, Mar. 3, 2026.

Topic: Full Committee Markup: Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 ( H.R.7567 )

Highlight: Over several days, members of the Committee offered on camera more than 100 amendments to the bill, with lengthy debates of federal programs like SNAP. Read IFAI’s analysis HERE.

Looking Ahead:

Hearing:  Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on Tuesday, Mar. 10, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET

Topic: Increasing Domestic Consumption of U.S. Grown Agricultural Products.

Nominations:

USDA Tribal Advisory Committee; Notice of Solicitation for Nominations

Description: The USDA Tribal Advisory Committee is a Congress-mandated body that provides advice and guidance to the Secretary on matters relating to Tribal and Indian Affairs. The Department is reopening its call for nominations for three Secretarial appointments to serve a three-year term. Tribal Advisory Committee members are eligible to receive compensation for each day participating in full Committee meetings and related travel to in-person meetings.

Deadline: March 31, 2026 

Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Consultative Committee (NCC)

Description: This committee advises the Secretaries of Commerce and State on issues relevant to the work of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) convention. NAFO is an international fisheries management body focused on coordinating international scientific studies of key marine species in the northwest Atlantic Ocean. NCC seeks nominations from committee members with fishing and/or seafood processing industry experience, marine/fisheries conservation and management experience, and more.

Deadline: Nominations for the committee will be accepted at any time.

Regulatory/Rule Making Actions:

Title: Notice of Deadline for Submitting Completed Requests to Begin Participation in the Tribal Self-Governance Program in Fiscal Year 2027 or Calendar Year 2027

• The BIA Office of Self-Governance (OSG) has issued the deadline for Tribal Nations/Tribal consortia requesting to participate in the 2027 Tribal Self-Governance Program.
• Participation requests must be received by April 4, 2026 (for fiscal year requests) or by July 5, 2026 (for calendar year requests).

Read More HERE

Title: Mandatory Manufacturing Cost Survey Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

• USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking to seek input from stakeholders about developing mandatory surveys on issues such as dairy production cost and product yield information.
• AMS also seeks public comments for issues that include: (1) whether current categories used in calculating manufacturing costs need to be adjusted; (2) the type of methodology to be used for product expense allocations; and (3) the type of data that the U.S. should consider when determining product yields.
• Comments must be received by Mar. 30, 2026

Read More HERE

Title: Maximum Line Speed Rates for Young Chicken and Turkey Establishments Operating Under the New Poultry Inspection System

• USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a proposed rule amending regulations related to line speed rates for chicken and turkey establishments.
• Proposed amendments include allowing young chicken establishments to operate at line speeds up to 175 birds per minute (bpm); increasing the maximum line speed for turkey establishments from 55 bpm to 60 bpm; and clarifying FSIS’ role in directing operations at reduced line speed.
• Comments must be received by April 20, 2026

Read More HERE

Title: Maximum Line Speed Under the New Swine Slaughter Inspection System (NSIS)

• USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a proposed rule allowing establishments under the NSIS to have more control in determining their own line speeds.
• Under this proposed rule, FSIS also proposes that its inspectors may reduce the rate of establishment operations in the slaughter process if it is perceived that there is a loss of process control.
• The removal of the requirement for annual attestation to FSIS is also being proposed.
• Comments must be received by April 20, 2026

Read More HERE

 Title: Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program

• USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) has issued a final rule to provide $11 billion in one-time bridge payments to American farmers for temporary market disruptions and increased production costs.
• The FBA Program will use a uniform formula to cover a portion of losses during the 2025 crop year.
• Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations are among the list of producers that may be eligible to receive payments.
• The final rule takes effect on Feb. 23, 2026

Read More HERE