Summary

Know anyone who might be a good fit for USDA’s Tribal Advisory Committee? There are four vacant seats. Submit your nomination by Sept. 22, 2025.
Check out IFAI’s analysis of USDA’s Final Rule on Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers.
If you want to learn more about how Native CDFIs are reshaping access to capital in Indian Country agriculture, listen to Rooted Wisdom’s Episode 7 with special guest Skya Ducheneaux, Executive Director at Akiptan.
There are Federal Register notices on an FSIS proposed rule regarding post-mortem inspection in swine slaughter establishments and a USDA/FDA request for information on defining ultra-processed foods (UPFs).
Congress is in recess until Sept. 2, 2025.

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.

Congressional Sessions:

Looking back:

Congress is in recess until Sept. 2, 2025.

Looking ahead:

Congress is in recess until Sept. 2, 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: Ultra-Processed Foods; Request for Information

The US Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration are seeking public input on developing a uniform definition of ultra-processed foods (UPF or UPFs) for human food products in the U.S.
The objective is consistency in research and policy work that addresses health concerns regarding UPF consumption.
Written and electronic submissions will be accepted by Sept. 23, 2025. Confidential submissions will also be accepted.

Posted: Week of Aug. 25

Title: Visual Post-Mortem Inspection in Swine Slaughter Establishments

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is seeking comments on a proposed rule that amends current meat inspection regulations related to swine carcasses.
FSIS is proposing to end mandatory “mandibular lymph nodes incision and viscera palpation of swine carcasses in all swine slaughter establishments.”
It is expected that removing this post-mortem inspection requirement may improve food safety by lessening opportunities for contamination.
Comments must be received by Oct. 20, 2025.