Policy Brief- June 30

Summary:

Farm Bill – Last week, the Senate Agriculture Committee released its long-awaited Farm Bill text, the Agriculture Act of 2026. The legislation includes new safeguards against FDPIR warehouse disruptions, support for seafood producers, and advances for Tribal-led conservation and forest management. It also includes several recommendations from USDA’s Tribal Advisory Committee to increase access to capital for Tribal producers, expands access to Rural Development programs for Tribes, and reauthorizes and expands support for Tribal Colleges and Universities. However, the legislation also cuts funding for popular conservation programs and does not delay new SNAP cost-sharing requirements for states. The Committee plans to mark up the legislation in July, but a path forward for the Farm Bill remains uncertain. Read IFAI’s analysis of the Senate Farm Bill here.

Food and Nutrition Service Reorganization – IFAI published an in-depth analysis of the impacts of USDA’s plans to significantly reorganize the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) on Indian Country. Under the reorganization plan, regional offices will be replaced with five hubs specializing in different nutrition programs, emergency management, and research. While many details remain unclear, based on the available information, the reorganization will likely lead to increased administrative burden for Tribes, additional staff departures, and loss of regional and Tribal knowledge. Read IFAI’s analysis of the FNS reorganization here.

SNAP Error Rates – According to new data published by USDA, only nine states have SNAP error rates low enough to avoid a new cost-sharing requirement for SNAP that kicks in next fall. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA), states with a SNAP error rate exceeding 6% will be responsible for paying 5-15% the cost of SNAP benefits beginning Oct. 2027. This new cost share requirement may lead to states restricting access, shifting resources from other programs, or withdrawing from SNAP entirely. Tribal citizens may shift to FDPIR, which may strain ITO funding and staffing. Over one million Tribal citizens participate in SNAP.

Title of Event: FDA Fresh Produce Safety Training

To request a food safety training, please email tribalag@uark.edu.

Topic: Farm Safety Net, Disaster, and Conservation Programs

Read More Here.

Topic: Reviewing Partnerships to Enhance Management of the National Forest System

Read More Here.

Hearing: House Natural Resource Committee– Thurs. June 25 at 10:00 a.m. ET

Topic: Mineral Resources

Read More Here.

No Committee hearings or markups related to Tribal agriculture are scheduled.

Summary: FSA is requesting comments to inform changes to their Emergency Conservation Program and Biomass Crop Assistance Program. The collected information is used to determine eligibility, document technical need, establish cost-share agreements, certify completion of approved conservation or biomass-related practices, and issue payments. Tribes and producers who have experienced natural disasters and major storm activity leading to catastrophic damage may be interested in submitting comments. This collection of information will help assess the extent of damage to individual and organizational agricultural producers, and budget allocations can be made accordingly.

Agency implicated: Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Management and Budget

Summary: Agricultural employers and commercial pesticide handling establishments are responsible for providing required training, notifications and information to their employees to ensure worker and handler safety. This request for comment asks whether the current Worker Protection Standards (including the training, notification, and recordkeeping requirements) are adequate. This is an extension of a request that was originally published on November 18, 2025.