Policy Brief- October 12

Summary:

IFAI Webinar: Updates on USDA Reorganization, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Central Time. IFAI’s legal and policy team will discuss ongoing litigation seeking to pause or stop the USDA reorganization, as well as potential impacts for Indian Country on food and nutrition assistance, forestry programs, and farm production and conservation.

Register today to hear the latest updates and learn what these changes could mean for Indian Country: https://tr.ee/HwdSTGRsa7

Both houses of Congress are currently on recess. Congressional updates will be limited until after the midterm elections in November.

None relevant to Indian Country food and agriculture.

Summary: DOI is seeking member nominations to the Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation and Access Council (Council). The Council serves as a federal advisory group that provides recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior on conserving wildlife while expanding and improving hunting and shooting sports opportunities. The Council is seeking new members to serve regular three-year terms. Council members must be senior-level representatives of the organization or government that nominates them. DOI is seeking nominees who represent agricultural and ranching interests, among others—for a complete list and details on how to submit a nomination, check out the Federal Register notice.

Indian Country Impact: The Council provides a formal avenue to influence federal recommendations on wildlife conservation, habitat management, hunting access, and outdoor recreation policies affecting Tribal lands, treaty-reserved hunting interests, and nearby public lands. Because Tribal resource-management organizations are eligible for representation, Tribes may have opportunities to raise concerns about conservation partnerships, access, funding priorities, and the recognition of Tribal expertise in wildlife management.

Relevant Deadline: All nominations must be received no later than October 22, 2026.

Summary: The Rural Business Cooperative Service is accepting applications for the Agriculture Innovation Center Demonstration Program. This program helps agricultural producers develop, market, and sell value-added agricultural products by supporting centers that provide technical assistance and business services. Approximately $2.5 million is available for grants. The program anticipates making approximately three awards ranging from $600,000 to $1 million. Matching funds are required for at least one-third of the project cost.

Indian Country Impact: The program may support Tribal efforts related to food sovereignty, value-added agriculture, local food systems, processing, marketing, and agricultural entrepreneurship by providing technical assistance and infrastructure rather than direct producer payments.

Summary: The notice requests public nominations for 20 of the BLM’s statewide and regional RACs with vacant positions or members whose terms are scheduled to expire. These RACs provide advice and recommendations to the BLM on land use planning and management of the National System of Public Lands within the geographic areas for which the RACs are organized.

Indian Country Impact: Producers, nonprofits, and Tribal officers can become members of RACs to ensure their interests are considered in the management of public lands.
Relevant deadline: All nominations must be received no later than October 26, 2026.