Policy

What we do

The IFAI Policy team assists Tribal Nations in strengthening their food systems and agricultural initiatives by delivering timely and accurate analyses of federal laws and policies that affect Tribal agriculture.

Policy RESOURCES

Policy Brief- April 8

Policy Brief- April 8

Summary: Congress continues to be in recess until April 10, 2026.  There are several Federal Register notices to highlight this week, including two final rules: one about the National Environmental Policy Act and another about the Farm Credit Administration's...

Policy Brief- April 8

Policy Brief- March 31

Summary: Deadline Extension! IFAI is extending the submission deadline for the 2026 Native Youth in Food and Agriculture Leadership Summit. Applications are now due TODAY Mar. 31, 2026. Congress is in recess for the next two weeks (Mar. 30 – Apr. 10, 2026).  USDA’s...

Policy Brief- April 8

Policy Brief- March 25

Summary: Deadline Extension! IFAI is extending the submission deadline for the 2026 Native Youth in Food and Agriculture Leadership Summit. Applications are now due on Mar. 31, 2026.  This week, IFAI will look at a congressional hearing in the House Natural Resources...

IFAI Analysis – PRIME Meat Processing in Indian Country Act

IFAI Analysis – PRIME Meat Processing in Indian Country Act

IFAI Bill Analysis: S.3994 - PRIME Meat Processing in Indian Country Act Bill Text Sponsors: Sens. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) Current status: Introduced – 3/4/26 Summary This bill amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to authorize USDA to enter...

IFAI Hosts Webinar on 2026 House Farm Bill

IFAI Hosts Webinar on 2026 House Farm Bill

FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. - On March 18, IFAI held a webinar on the 2026 House Farm Bill, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R.7567), highlighting key provisions impacting Indian Country. The Policy Team also discussed agricultural provisions in the One Big...

Policy Brief- April 8

Policy Brief- March 17

Summary: Register now to join IFAI’s Farm Bill Update webinar on Wednesday, Mar. 18 at 1 p.m. CT. As part of our discussion of recent Farm Bill news, we will also talk through some of the Congressional amendments offered on the House Agriculture Committee version of...

Policy Brief- April 8

Policy Brief- March 10

Summary: IFAI completed an analysis on the amendments offered during the markup session for the House Committee version of the 2026 Farm Bill (H.R.7567) For more information on our analysis, key takeaways for Indian Country, and registration for IFAI’s upcoming Farm...

House Agriculture Committee Advances Farm Bill

House Agriculture Committee Advances Farm Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The House Agriculture Committee held a markup of their proposed Farm Bill, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R.7567) on March 3 and 4, passing the bill out of committee 34 – 17. Seven Democrats joined Republicans to pass the...

Policy Brief- April 8

Policy Brief- March 3

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...

IFAI Analysis: Dietary Guidelines for Americans

IFAI Analysis: Dietary Guidelines for Americans

FAYETTVILLE, AR. - This analysis examines the updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans, jointly released by the U.S. Departments of Health & Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA)in January 2026.We begin with a brief explanation of the changes these new...