Register Now, Pay Later! 2025 Agricultural Law Symposium—September 18, 2025. In-person at Penn State Dickinson Law, University Park, Pa., 6 CLE credits available! Early Bird Pricing until Aug. 29!
Attorneys w/ CLE—$150, Non-CLE—$100 REGISTER NOW
Regulatory Policy: Federal Court Orders USDA to Restore Five Sustainable Agriculture Grants
On August 14, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a memorandum opinion granting in part the plaintiff organization’s motion for preliminary injunction in a case challenging the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) “unexpected[] terminat[ion]” of five grants for sustainable agricultural practice programs. Urban Sustainability Directors Network v. U.S. Dep’t Agric., No. 1:25-cv-01775. The court determined that the grants were not “contractual” in nature and instead were supported by statute, stating, “Plaintiffs are not performing specific USDA functions or working with beneficiaries to whom USDA has an independent obligation, but rather developing their own, unique projects to pursue general statutory aims.” The court then determined that the plaintiff organizations were likely to succeed on their claims that USDA’s actions were contrary to statute and arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), finding that the “grant terminations clearly lacked sufficient explanation.” The court stated, “Although each termination letter . . . mentions that the grant is not consistent with agency priorities, no letter explains why the particular grant is not consistent with the cited priorities and why the change in priorities justifies terminating an awarded grant on which plaintiffs have substantially relied.” The court then ordered USDA to restore $28 million to the Urban Sustainability Directors Network; $4.9 million to Oakville Bluegrass Cooperative; $400,000 to Agroecology Commons; $750,000 to the Providence Farm Collective Corp; and $111,694 to the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.
International Trade: United States, EU Issue Joint Statement on Trade Framework Agreement
On August 21, 2025, the European Commission (PDF) and the U.S. White House (PDF) issued a joint statement announcing their trade framework agreement, which the European Union (EU) and United States state that they “intend . . . to be a first step in a process that can be further expanded . . . to cover additional areas.” According to the joint statement, the United States will apply a minimum 15% tariff rate to EU goods but will cap the tariff rate at 15% for certain goods, including “pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and lumber.” Also, the United States will impose only the Most Favored Nation (MFN) tariff rate to “unavailable natural resources (including cork).” Under the framework agreement, the EU states that it “intends to eliminate tariffs on all US industrial goods and . . . provide preferential market access for . . . US seafood and agricultural goods, including tree nuts, dairy products, fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, processed foods, planting seeds, soybean oil, and pork and bison meat.” Additionally, the framework states that the EU “commits to work to address the concerns of US producers and exporters regarding the EU Deforestation Regulation,” and that “the European Union and the United States commit to work together to address non-tariff barriers affecting trade in food and agricultural products, including streamlining requirements for sanitary certificates for pork and dairy products.”
Invasive Species: HHS Allows Emergency Use Authorization for New World Screwworm Animal Drugs
On August 19, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced (PDF) that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a declaration that “allows FDA to issue Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for animal drugs to treat or prevent infestations caused by the New World Screwworm (NWS).” According to the announcement, there are currently no FDA-approved drugs for NWS and an “EUA can authorize the flexible, faster use of certain animal drug products that may be approved for other purposes, or available in other countries, but not formally approved for NWS in the U.S.” FDA states that the declaration only applies to drugs for animals and that the risk of harm from NWS in the United States “remains very low.” According to an August 15 announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), “to date, NWS has not been reported or detected in the United States in animals.” But see Univ. of Ill. Farm Policy News, Human Case of New World Screwworm Confirmed in US (Aug. 25, 2025).
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Register or Refer an Ag Business for AgWorks: Connecting Agricultural Businesses to Workforce Services and Training. From 2025 to 2027, the Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law and Penn State Extension will collaborate with farms and agriculture-related businesses to strengthen the workforce system. AgWorks will provide 100 registered small- to medium-sized Pennsylvania farms and agribusinesses with no-cost training and consultation to ensure business sustainability.
2025 Agricultural Law Symposium—September 18, 2025. In-person at Penn State Dickinson Law, Lewis Katz Building, University Park, Pa. This day-long symposium will offer 6 CLE credits to Pennsylvania-licensed attorneys. Early Bird Pricing until Aug. 29! Attorneys w/ CLE—$150, Non-CLE—$100, Students—$25 REGISTER NOW
Understanding Agricultural Law Series. A free monthly Zoom webinar series for agricultural and rural business advisors. One hour of substantive CLE credit available for Pennsylvania-licensed attorneys at no charge. All events on Fridays, noon–1 pm (ET). Upcoming:
Sept. 26, 2025, Understanding the Basics of U.S. Grain Dealer Statutes
Oct. 24, 2025, Understanding the Basics of Pennsylvania’s Seasonal Farm Labor Law
Nov. 21, 2025, Understanding the Basics of Cell Cultured Foods & Labeling Laws
Dec. 12, 2025, Understanding the Clean Water Act & Ag: Biosolids & Food Processing Waste Land Application
Quarterly Dairy Legal Webinar Series. A free quarterly Zoom webinar series covering dairy industry legal and regulatory developments with an in-depth focus topic. One hour of substantive CLE credit available for Pennsylvania-licensed attorneys at no charge. All events on Tuesdays, noon–1 pm (ET). Upcoming:
Oct. 14, 2025, 3rd Quarter 2025 Quarterly Dairy Legal Webinar
Mid-Atlantic Ag & Resource Law Conference with WVU Extension—October 28–29, 2025. In-person at National Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown, WV. Registration Available.
Subscribe to the Pennsylvania Farm Employers’ Listserv (PFEL): an email networking and resource-sharing group exclusively about human resources information for agricultural operations.
Resources of Interest:
Nat’l Agric. Law Ctr., Food Foundations: Standards of Identity, Emily Stone (August 21, 2025)
Tex. A&M Agric. Law Blog, Federal Court Vacates and Remands Listing of Lesser Prairie Chicken Under Endangered Species Act, Tiffany Dowell Lashmet (August 18, 2025)
Univ. of Ill. Farm Policy News, Farmers May Need Emergency Market Aid, Ag Leaders Say, Ryan Hanrahan (August 22, 2025)
Univ. of Ill. FarmDoc Daily, The Reconciliation Farm Bill: Top Five Most Problematic Changes to Farm Policy, #3, Jonathan Coppess (August 21, 2025)
Agric. Law & Tax’n Blog, Trump Accounts, Roger A. McEowen (August 19, 2025)
Agric. Law & Tax’n Blog, AGI Issues with SDRP, Roger A. McEowen (August 17, 2025)
Southern Ag Today, Hired Farm Labor Trends, R. Jamey Menard (Univ. Tenn) (August 18, 2025)
Ohio St. Univ. Ext. Farm Off. Blog, September 1 Lease Termination Deadline is Approaching for Some Farm Leases, Peggy Kirk Hall (August 22, 2025)
STATE ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE
PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PRESS RELEASES
Pennsylvania Invests $8.8 Million to Ensure That 33 Farms, 2,017 Acres of Prime Farmland in 16 Counties Stay Farms Forever (August 21, 2025)
Agriculture Department Warns Consumers to Discard Raw Milk from Sunshine Dairy Due to Possible Listeria Contamination (August 18, 2025)
PENNSYLVANIA EXECUTIVE AGENCIES (Pa. Bulletin Vol. 55, No. 34—August 23, 2025):
Department of Environmental Protection
55 Pa.B. 6084 Notice: “Applications for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits and Water Quality Management (WQM) Permits Under the Clean Streams Law and Federal Clean Water Act”
55 Pa.B. 6145 Notice: “Availability of Grants through the Coastal Zone Grant Program”
55 Pa.B. 6145 Notice: “Availability of Grants through the Driving PA Forward Initiative: Federal Fiscal Years 2023-2024 Pennsylvania Freight Innovations in Transportation Grant Program”
55 Pa.B. 6146 Notice: “Bid Opportunity”
55 Pa.B. 6146 Notice: “Draft Assessment and Strategy for the Commonwealth’s Coastal Resources Management Program under Section 309 of the Coastal Zone Management Act; Availability for Public Comment”
55 Pa.B. 6147 Notice: “Federal Consistency under the Coastal Zone Management Act; Riverside Construction Materials Proposed Revitalization of Port Bristol Terminal”
Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority
55 Pa.B. 6149 Notice: “Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority Meeting Cancellation”
PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE
HB 1811 “An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in property and buildings, further providing for price paid for acquisitions and improvements.” Referred to Game & Fisheries [House] (August 19, 2025
SB 970 “An Act amending Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in development, further providing for well permits.” Referred to Environmental Resources & Energy [Senate] (August 15, 2025)
FEDERAL ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY PRESS RELEASES
EPA Announces Action on Small Refinery Exemptions, Continues Work to Get Renewable Fuel Standard Program Back on Track (August 22, 2025)
EPA Cuts Red Tape for Commercial, Industrial Incinerators After Natural Disasters (August 22, 2025)
New Data Shows Chemical Releases Decline While American Economy Thrives (August 21, 2025)
EPA Administrator Zeldin, VP Vance Tour Alta Refrigeration, Highlight EPA Action to Lower Costs for American Families (August 21, 2025)
EPA Steps in to Stop Slaughterhouse Waste from Entering the Aguas Creek in Aibonito, PR (August 20, 2025)
ICYMI: EXCLUSIVE Trump’s EPA Turns to New Tools for Faster Superfund Cleanups (August 20, 2025)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) PRESS RELEASES
Secretary Rollins Prioritizes American Energy on National Forest Lands (August 21, 2025)
Secretary Rollins Announces USDA Presidential Appointments, Naming More State Directors (August 21, 2025)
Secretary Rollins Blocks Taxpayer Dollars for Solar Panels on Prime Farmland (August 19, 2025)
Secretary Rollins Announces Major Investment in Tennessee’s Rural Communities (August 18, 2025)
USDA Announces Sweeping Plans to Protect the United States from New World Screwworm (August 15, 2025)
USDA AGENCY PRESS RELEASES
Agricultural Marketing Service
USDA Files Action Against Anusaya Fresh United States LLC in California for Alleged PACA Violations (August 22, 2025)
USDA Approves Mushroom Assessment Increase (August 21, 2025)
USDA Issues Opportunities for USGSA Designation Applications in Ten States (August 20, 2025)
AMS Issues Notice Announcing 2025-2026 Grain Inspection and Weighing Fees (August 20, 2025)
AMS Seeks Comments on Proposal to Terminate Master Scale Testing Program (August 19, 2025)
Agricultural Research Service
Hawai’i-grown Lemons and Limes Ready for Export (August 21, 2025)
Farm Service Agency
Federal Emergency Management Agency Designates 39 Counties in Arkansas as Natural Disaster Areas Due to Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (August 22, 2025)
USDA Announces Availability of Low-Interest Physical Loss Loans for Minnesota Producers Affected by High Winds, Hail, Tornado, Excessive Rain, and Flash Flooding (August 15, 2025)
Food Safety and Inspection Service
USDA-Regulated Establishment Meeting, August 2025 (August 20, 2025)
Foreign Agricultural Service
Export Sales to Costa Rica and Spain (August 22, 2025)
Export Sales to Colombia and Mexico (August 20, 2025)
Export Sales to Mexico (August 19, 2025)
Export Sales to Unknown Destinations (August 18, 2025)
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Family-owned farms account for 95% of U.S. farms, according to the Census of Agriculture Typology Report (August 19, 2025)
USDA to Survey Hog and Pig Producers (August 15, 2025)
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Texas Farmer Works with USDA NRCS to Improve Agricultural Operations and Water Quality (August 21, 2025)
Lower Platte South NRD Partners with NRCS on Little Salt Creek Watershed Plan (August 19, 2025)
NRCS Texas to Hold State Technical Committee Meeting (August 19, 2025)
The First Demonstration Project: Coon Creek Watershed (August 18, 2025)
Risk Management Agency
USDA Delivers on President Trump’s Promise to Put American Farmers First with Enhanced Crop Insurance Benefits Following Passage of One Big Beautiful Bill Act (August 20, 2025)
FEDERAL EXECUTIVE AGENCIES (Federal Register: August 18–22, 2025):
Agricultural Marketing Service
90 FR 40320 Notice: “2025/2026 Rates for Grain Inspection and Weighing Services Under the United States Grain Standards Act” (August 19, 2025)
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
90 FR 40558 Notice: “Domestic Quarantine: Quarantined Areas and Regulated Articles” (August 20, 2025)
90 FR 40050 Notice: “Petitions Seeking Determination of Nonregulated Status; Notice of Intent of Withdrawal of Notices of Intent” (August 18, 2025)
Environmental Protection Agency
90 FR 40975 Interim final rule; notification of public hearing and extension of public comment period; technical correction: “Technical Correction: Extension of Deadlines: Standards of Performance for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sources: Oil and Natural Gas Sector Climate Review Interim Final Rule; National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Integrated Iron and Steel Manufacturing Facilities; National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Coke Ovens: Pushing, Quenching, and Battery Stacks, and Coke Oven Batteries” (August 22, 2025)
90 FR 40236 Notification of approval: “Approval of Replacement Waste Panels 11 and 12 at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant” (August 19, 2025)
Food and Drug Administration
90 FR 41081 Notice: “Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Tobacco Retailer Training Programs” (August 22, 2025)
90 FR 41083 Notice: “Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Animal Food and Egg Regulatory Program Standards” (August 22, 2025)
90 FR 41085 Notice: “Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Regulations Restricting the Sale and Distribution of Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco to Protect Children and Adolescents” (August 22, 2025)
90 FR 40966 Final rule; technical amendments: “New Animal Drugs; Approval of New Animal Drug Applications; Withdrawal of Approval of New Animal Drug Applications; Change of Sponsor; Change of Sponsor Address” (August 22, 2025)
90 FR 41077 Notice: “Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request; Establishing and Maintaining Lists of United States Establishments with Interest in Exporting Human Food Program-Regulated Products” (August 22, 2025)
90 FR 40703 Final amendment; order; confirmation of effective date: “Listing of Color Additives Exempt from Certification; Calcium Phosphate; Confirmation of Effective Date” (August 21, 2025)
90 FR 40703 Final amendment; order; confirmation of effective date: “Listing of Color Additives Exempt from Certification; Galdieria Extract Blue; Confirmation of Effective Date” (August 21, 2025)
90 FR 40704 Final amendment; order; confirmation of effective date: “Listing of Color Additives Exempt from Certification; Butterfly Pea Flower Extract; Confirmation of Effective Date” (August 21, 2025)
90 FR 40269 Notification of petition: “Evonik Corporation; Filing of Food Additive Petition (Animal Use)” (August 19, 2025)
Rural Utilities Service
90 FR 40813 Notice; request for comments: “60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Seismic Safety of New Building Construction; OMB Control No.: 0572-0099” (August 21, 2025)
90 FR 40025 Final rule: “Removal of Obsolete Regulation” (August 18, 2025)
U.S. HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE
H.R.5030 “Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion and Development Program Act of 2025” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (August 22, 2025)
H.R.5020 “Supporting Our Shelters Act” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (August 22, 2025)
H.R.5017 “Greyhound Protection Act of 2025” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (August 22, 2025)
H.R.5010 “Farm Credit Adjustment Act” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (August 19, 2025)
H.R.5004 “Next Generation of Farmers Act of 2025” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (August 19, 2025)
U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY
None.
U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY—UPCOMING HEARINGS
None.
Contributors:
Audry Thompson—Staff Attorney
Christina Fraser—Research Assistant
