Policy Brief- November 2

Summary:

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026! We have created a brief neutral guide to the midterm elections including a short list of Native candidates seeking elected positions in the House and Senate. Check it out here: IFAI’s Guide to the 2026 Midterm Elections.

Last week, we mentioned USDA’s recent creation of the Harvest Fuel Relief Fund (HRF), which will provide limited one-time payments to producers of Title I commodities who are experiencing increased fuel costs. USDA is encouraging producers to create a Login.gov account linked to USDA to expedite the application process when payments are available. Producers of specialty crops and seafood or other non-Title I commodities can email USDA at HarvestFuel@usda.gov and submit data of their own increased fuel costs, which may help USDA determine payment rates that could support producers of these commodities.

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!

Both houses of Congress are currently on recess. Congressional updates will be limited until after the midterm elections in November.

None relevant to Indian Country food and agriculture.

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.

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

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.