Summary

Congress remains in recess through Labor Day.

IFAI recently published an analysis of the USDA Final Rule on Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers.

Our Rooted Wisdom podcast team interviewed Akiptan’s, Skya Ducheneaux to discuss how Native CDFIs are reshaping access to capital in Indian Country agriculture.

USDA is seeking nominations for four vacant seats on the Tribal Advisory Committee through Sept. 22, 2025.

USDA’s Reorganization Plan deadline for public comment closes on Aug. 26. Stakeholders, including Tribal governments, are encouraged to submit their feedback to reorganization@usda.gov. Read IFAI’s analysis of its potential impact here.

Calendar

Tribal Consultation/Listening Sessions/Advisory Committee Meetings:

Title of Event: Consultation and Listening Session on Technical Guidelines for Climate-Smart Agriculture Crops Used as Biofuel Feedstocks Interim Final

About: USDA will consult with Tribes and Tribal members about an interim final rule “to establish guidelines for quantifying and reporting the greenhouse gas benefits of crops grown for biofuel production.”

Date(s), Time, and Location:

September 3, 2025 (Wednesday), from 3 – 5 p.m. eastern

To attend the virtual consultation and listening session, please register here.

Dear Tribal Leader Letter

USDA’s framing paper will be provided two weeks before the consultation.

Congressional Sessions:

Looking back:

Congress is in recess until Sept. 9, 2025.

Looking ahead:

Congress is in recess until Sept. 9, 2025.

Nominations:

National Advisory Council on Indian Education (NACIE)-

Description: This council is tasked with advising the Secretaries of Education and the Interior on programs involving Indian children and adults, recommending candidates for the Director of Indian Education, and submitting an annual report to Congress with suggestions for improving and funding federal education programs that serve or benefit Native communities

Deadline: August 31, 2025

Tribal Issues Advisory Group

Description: This group supports the U.S. Sentencing Commission by advising on federal sentencing issues related to American Indian and Alaska Native defendants and victims, especially for offenses in Indian Country. It also consults with tribal entities, shares sentencing information, and performs other related tasks as requested by the Commission

Deadline: September 19, 2025

Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Consultive Committee

Description: The purpose of this body is to ensure that the interests of U.S. stakeholders are considered in the development of positions and policy relative to U.S. participation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO).

Deadline: Nominations will be accepted at any time

Regulatory/Rulemaking Actions

Title: Tribal Advisory Committee; Notice of Solicitation for Nominations

USDA is seeking nominations for four (4) vacancies on the USDA Tribal Advisory Committee.

Comprising of eleven (11) members, the Committee’s role is to advise the Secretary of USDA on matters related to Tribal and Indian Affairs.

Candidates and alternates selected for potential appointments will go through a USDA background check.

Only signatories authorized to represent an Indian Tribe, a Tribal organization, or a national or regional organization may submit nominations.

Nominations must be submitted by email by Sept. 22, 2025

Posted: Week of Aug. 11

Title: Information Collection Activities: WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs – Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service is seeking comments from the public who want to provide feedback on a proposed information collection regarding SFMNP and WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP).

The proposed information collection revises the current collections for SFMNP and WIC-FMNP’s reporting and recordkeeping burdens and a consolidation of the two programs’ reporting and recordkeeping burdens.

Written comments must be received by Oct. 7, 2025