Summary

• Congress is on recess for two weeks, but if you want to learn more about Executive Orders and Actions impacting Tribal food and agriculture, see IFAI’s webinar on our website here. 
• The Food and Nutrition Service is requesting comments about the 2027 Farm to School Census by April 25, 2025. Make your voice heard!  
• Mark your calendars for the upcoming USDA Tribal Advisory Committee’s hybrid meeting on May 6-7, 2025 that is taking place in Washington D.C.  

Calendar

Tribal Consultation/Listening Sessions/Advisory Committee Meetings

Details about the Tribal Advisory Committee have not been released, but check back for more information. 

Congressional Sessions:

Looking back: 

Hearing: House Committee on Ways & Means– Tuesday, April 8, 2025 

Topic: Work & Welfare Subcommittee Hearing on Government Watchdog Findings: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program in Need of Reform, Better State Accountability, and Fraud Protection 

Highlights: There were no references to Tribal food and agriculture.  

Hearing: Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry– Tuesday, April 8, 2025 

Topic: Nomination Hearing for Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and General Counsel of the Dept. of Agriculture 

Highlights: Topics raised by Senators include: (1) the challenges that people, especially farmers, ranchers and producers are having in relation to current tariffs and funding cuts; (2) need to pass a Farm Bill; and (3) proper use of Commodity Credit Corporation programs. Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) raised expansion of 638 authority for Tribes.  

Hearing: House Agriculture Committee– Tuesday, April 8, 2025 

Topic: The Power of Work: Expanding Opportunity through SNAP 

Highlights: This hearing examined the effectiveness of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in improving employment opportunities, addressing food insecurity issues, and helping to lift people out of poverty. 

Hearing: House Appropriations Committee– Wednesday, April 9, 2025 

Topic: Oversight Hearing- Review of U.S. Department of Agriculture Programs 

Highlights: This hearing has been postponed.  

Hearing: House Agriculture Committee– Wednesday, April 9, 2025 

Topic: American Innovation and the Future of Digital Assets: On-Chain Tools for and Off-Chain World 

Highlights: There were no references to Tribal food and agriculture.  

Hearing: Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources– Thursday, April 10, 2025 

Topic: Nomination hearing for Under Secretary of Energy, Under Secretary for Energy for Science, and Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). 

Highlights: The nomination for the Director of BLM was withdrawn. There were no references to Tribal food and agriculture. 

Looking ahead:

There are no hearings relevant to Indian Country Ag this week. 

Regulatory/Rulemaking Actions

Title: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request  

• USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service is requesting comments about collecting information regarding the 2027 Farm to School Census.  

• The Census provides the only nationally representative data available on farm to school participation and activities in the United States. 

• It also compiles detailed information about State- and school food authority (SFA)-level farm to school engagement. 

• Comments submitted by April 25, 2025, will be considered.  

Posted: Week of March 31, 2025