Summary:

• Midterm election results mean big shake ups in Congress next year with Democrats taking control of the House and Senate in landslide victories. Combined with a number of retiring members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, there will be big changes in ag leadership.

• USDA reorganization still on pause: Last week, USDA asked the courts to lift the the pause on reorganization while it appeals to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The court has declined to do so for now pending USDA’s submission of additional information replying to union plaintiffs, due this Friday. We are continuing to monitor this case for developments.

• Want to bring your expertise in Indian Country ag to USDA? Nominations are open right now for multiple advisory bodies at USDA, including the Tribal Advisory Council and the National Organic Standards Board, among others. More details are in this week’s brief!

Congressional Updates: 

Lawmakers will be back on Capitol Hill Monday with mounting urgency to resolve disputes over nutrition assistance spending and move a Farm Bill across the finish line. However, sweeping Democrat victories across the nation in last week’s midterm elections likely makes passing a Farm Bill more challenging as Dem senators may be less willing to compromise on nutrition assistance spending. Congress also faces several urgent, competing priorities, including the expiration of government funding on Dec. 11 and a potential third reconciliation bill with additional aid for farmers.

Upcoming Committee Activity:

Congress is in session the next two days, but there are no hearings or markups related to Indian Country Ag.

Regulatory Updates:

National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education and Economics (NAREEE) Advisory Board and Citrus Disease Subcommittee (CDS) Solicitation Request for Applications for Membership

• Agency implicated: USDA’s Research, Education, and Economics (REE) Mission Area
• Type of action: Notice to solicit nominations for membership
• Summary: USDA has opened applications to fill vacancies on the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics (NAREEE) Advisory Board and the Citrus Disease Subcommittee (CDS) for Fiscal Year 2027. Visit the NAREEE Advisory Board website: https://nareeeab.ree.usda.gov/ membership to review a complete list of the Board and committee and subcommittee membership categories.
• Indian Country Impact: The NAREE advises the Secretary of Agriculture on a broad range of matters that have an impact on Indian Country’s agriculture, including extension services that support producers in accessing resources, the future of agricultural research—some of which involves seed sovereignty issues for Tribes—and agricultural education for the next generation of farmers and ranchers. Tribal agriculture stakeholder individuals and organizations have a unique opportunity to bring their expertise to the NAREEE Board by applying for a seat on the Advisory Board. Tribal citrus growers may be interested in the Citrus Disease subcommittee specifically.
• Relevant deadline: Electronic applications should be submitted by close of business on Monday, November 30, 2026. Applications submitted by mail should be postmarked no later than Monday, November 30, 2026.

Tribal Advisory Committee Notice of Solicitation for Nominations 

• Agency implicated: USDA
• Type of action: Notice to solicit nominations for membership
• Summary: USDA is soliciting nominations for eight (8) vacancies on the USDA Tribal Advisory Committee.
• Indian Country Impact: This advisory committee was created by the 2018 Farm Bill to ensure that Indian Country has a dedicated pathway to work with USDA on the unique set of issues that often frustrate producers and Tribes in accessing USDA’s resources, whether than is technical assistance, grant or loan funding, education, training, or other resources. The statute requires the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to participate in the committee’s work, making it more possible to resolve interagency policy issues that may keep Tribal producers from fully accessing USDA programs. The work of this committee is important to Indian Country agriculture, and the nomination process open now brings Tribal agriculture stakeholder individuals and organizations a unique opportunity to bring their expertise straight to USDA.
• Relevant deadline: Nominations are due on December 8, 2026.
• Nominations must be submitted via email to Josiah Griffin, Designated Federal Officer, USDA, Office of Tribal Relations, at Relations@usda.gov 

National Organic Standards Board Call for Applications and Nominations

• Agency implicated: Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), USDA
• Type of action: Notice for applications or nominations to the Board
• Summary: USDA is announcing a call for three (3) vacancies on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). Spots will be filled by one organic certified producer, one scientist, and one consumer interests representative.
• Indian Country Impact: The NOSB advises USDA on the production and processing of organic foods and makes recommendations to USDA about what should/not be on the National List of Allowed Substances for organic operations. The nomination process is an opportunity for qualified Tribal producers, Native food sovereignty advocates, and Indigenous scientists to help shape federal organic standards that influence Tribal agriculture and access to organic markets.
• Relevant deadline: December 23, 2026.