Summary:

• The markup session for the House Committee version of the 2026 Farm Bill (H.R.7567) is scheduled for March 3, 2026. See the General Policy Updates section below for more info on the expected multi-day markup and Fiscal Year 2027 funding process.  

• IFAI has released its analysis of the updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans  (2025 – 2030). Our analysis focuses on the potential impacts of the new guidelines on federal nutrition programs serving Indian Country. Read our analysis HERE. 

• The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) has posted its 2026 Request for Applications. There are two application processes: the 2026 RFA Process – General and the 2026 RFA Process – Youth. The RFA is open from Mar. 1 – May 1, 2026. 

• This week we are highlighting the Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) Federal Register advanced notice of a proposed rule on Mandatory Manufacturing Cost Survey in dairy production.   

Outreach Calendar

General Policy Updates

Farm Bill Update 

• The House Committee on Agriculture will begin markup of its Farm Bill proposal (H.R.7567) on March 3 at 5 p.m. ET. A multi-day markup is expected.  

• IFAI resources on the 2026 Farm Bill:  

• Key Takeaways for Indian Country 

• Detailed analysis of H.R.7567  

 Fiscal year 2027 funding process kicks off 

• On Feb. 25, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) announced the beginning of the appropriations process for Fiscal Year 2027, which runs Oct. 1, 2026, to Sept. 30, 2027. The appropriations process provides discretionary funding to Federal departments and agencies through 12 appropriations bills. Indian agriculture stakeholders may be most interested in the Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration bill and the Interior and the Environment bill, which funds the Bureau of Indian Affairs. 

• House of Representatives offices welcome appropriations requests from stakeholders. Each House office has a different process and deadline for appropriation requests, so interested stakeholders should check their Representative’s official website for more information. Expect deadlines to be fast approaching, likely in the next 1-2 weeks. Most, but not all, Representatives accept three types of appropriations requests:  

• Programmatic request: Requesting a specific funding level for a federal agency or program 

• Language request: Requesting language to be included in the appropriations bill or accompanying report  

• Community Project Funding: Requesting direct funds for a community project led by a State, Tribal, or local government or certain non-profits. 

• The House Appropriations Interior Subcommittee, which funds the Bureau of Indian Affairs, will host open Tribal Witness Days on March 17 and March 18. While the deadline to testify in person has passed, the Subcommittee will accept written testimony until April 24. Instructions for written testimony are available here, and examples are available on the Subcommittee website here.

FDPIR Food Package Review Work Group 

• On February 10, 2026, the FDPIR Food Package Review Work Group met to discuss current trends, improvements, and data. This group includes representatives from the National Association of Food Distribution Programs on Indian Reservations (NAFDPIR), USDA officials, and FDPIR stakeholders. The data suggest that current take rates for new food items are favorable, meaning that FDPIR households are generally gravitating towards these new items when they select foods each month. However, some popular items are becoming difficult to acquire: walleye is being removed from food packages, and there may be strain on future pasta availability.  

• The work group also discussed the newly updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Currently, it is unclear how these will impact the food package. The discussion noted that they may have little to no impact, as FDPIR is already a highly nutritious program with a Healthy Eating Index of 84, significantly above the average U.S. diet’s score of 59. USDA recognized that as there is no definition of highly processed food at the moment; it is hard to say whether items in the package will have to be removed due to that designation. The Healthy Eating Index score will have to be adjusted to the current guidelines, but USDA does not anticipate a significant change in score.

Tribal Consultation/Listening Sessions/Advisory Committee Meetings: 

There were no meetings relevant to Indian Country food or agriculture last week. 

Congressional Updates: 

There were no updates relevant to Indian Country food or agriculture last week. 

Looking Back:

There were no hearings relevant to Indian Country food or agriculture last week. 

Looking Ahead:

Hearing: House Committee on Agriculture on Tuesday, Mar. 3, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET 

Topic: Full Committee Markup: Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 ( H.R.7567 ) 

Nominations:

Nominations for the National Park Service Alaska Region Subsistence Resource Commission Program 

Description: The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking nominations for individuals to represent subsistence users on the following Subsistence Resource Commissions (SRC): the Aniakchak National Monument SRC, the Cape Krusenstern National Monument SRC, the Denali National Park SRC, the Gates of the Arctic National Park SRC, the Kobuk Valley National Park SRC, the Lake Clark National Park SRC, and the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park SRC. The SRCs hold meetings to develop NPS subsistence program recommendations and advise on related regulatory proposals and resource management issues. For example, advise on the subsistence of hunting programs, determine seasons and harvest limits, deal with proposed development in and adjacent to the park, and other like activities. 

Deadline: Nominations must be postmarked by March 9, 2026.

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/Rule Making Actions:

Title: Mandatory Manufacturing Cost Survey Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

• USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking to seek input from stakeholders about developing mandatory surveys on issues such as dairy production cost and product yield information.
• AMS also seeks public comments for issues that include: (1) whether current categories used in calculating manufacturing costs need to be adjusted; (2) the type of methodology to be used for product expense allocations; and (3) the type of data that the U.S. should consider when determining product yields.
• Comments must be received by Mar. 30, 2026

Read More HERE 

Title: Maximum Line Speed Rates for Young Chicken and Turkey Establishments Operating Under the New Poultry Inspection System

• USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a proposed rule amending regulations related to line speed rates for chicken and turkey establishments.
• Proposed amendments include allowing young chicken establishments to operate at line speeds up to 175 birds per minute (bpm); increasing the maximum line speed for turkey establishments from 55 bpm to 60 bpm; and clarifying FSIS’ role in directing operations at reduced line speed.
• Comments must be received by April 20, 2026

Read More HERE 

Title: Maximum Line Speed Under the New Swine Slaughter Inspection System (NSIS)

• USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a proposed rule allowing establishments under the NSIS to have more control in determining their own line speeds.
• Under this proposed rule, FSIS also proposes that its inspectors may reduce the rate of establishment operations in the slaughter process if it is perceived that there is a loss of process control.
• The removal of the requirement for annual attestation to FSIS is also being proposed.
• Comments must be received by April 20, 2026

Read More HERE 

Title: Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program

• USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) has issued a final rule to provide $11 billion in one-time bridge payments to American farmers for temporary market disruptions and increased production costs.
• The FBA Program will use a uniform formula to cover a portion of losses during the 2025 crop year.
• Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations are among the list of producers that may be eligible to receive payments.
• The final rule takes effect on Feb. 23, 2026

Read More HERE 

Title: Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska – 2027-28 and 2028-29 Subsistence Taking of Fish and Shellfish Regulations

• This proposed rule would update regulations for fish and shellfish seasons, harvest limits, methods, and means related to taking of fish and shellfish for subsistence uses during 2027-28 and 2028-29 regulatory years.
• Public meetings will be held to discuss the proposed rule in spring (Feb. 17 – April 1) and fall (Sept. 24 – Oct. 29).
• Public comments and proposals to amend this proposed rule must be submitted by April 3, 2026.

Read More HERE 

Title: Program Review – Subsistence Management for Public Lands in Alaska

• USDA’s Forest Service and the Office of the Secretary of Interior are extending the public comment period for the review of the Federal Subsistence Management Program (FSMP).
• Both departments are conducting a targeted review of the FSMP to ensure it meets the needs of Alaska residents. The notice 90 FR 57941 was initially published on Dec. 15, 2025.
• The new deadline for comments is now March 30, 2026.

Read More HERE