Webinar Programs This Month:

IRS Issues 45Z Proposed Regulations, Congressmembers Publish Letter Requesting ‘Clear Conservation Practices’ 🌾
On February 4, 2026, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published in the Federal Register a proposed rule (991 FR 5160) to establish regulations under U.S.C. § 45Z, the “clean fuel production credit,” which “provides businesses an income tax credit for clean transportation fuel produced domestically after Dec. 31, 2024, and sold by Dec. 31, 2029.” Also announced by the IRS, the proposed rule would establish a framework for “determining clean fuel production credits, including credit eligibility rules, emissions rates, and certification and registration requirements.” On March 12, twenty-three Congressmembers sent a letter to the Secretaries of the Departments of Treasury, Energy, and Agriculture stating that “it is critical the final rule clearly identif[y] the types of on-farm conservation practices capable of . . . qualifying for a premium under 45Z,” including “no-till, cover crops, strip till, manure application, and optimized fertilizer use.” Additionally, the Congressmembers “stress[ed] that farmer participation under 45Z should be structured using a ‘Book and Claim’ accounting framework,” which does not “requir[e] the physical delivery of grain to a specific biofuel facility,” as opposed to a “balance system,” which, the Congressmembers stated, “would force acres to compete and create unnecessary challenges for farmers located far from biofuel facilities or those who rely on grain for livestock feed.” The proposed rule is available for public comment until April 6, 2026 (IRS-2026-0133).

Marketing Orders: USDA Publishes Final Rule Amending Christmas Tree Order, Changes Name to ‘Real Christmas Tree Board’
On March 9, 2026 the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published in the Federal Register a final rule (91 FR 11135) amending the Christmas Tree Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order) to change the Board’s name from “Christmas Tree Promotion Board” to “Real Christmas Tree Board”; increase the administrative expenses cap from 10 to 15 percent; allow importers to request refunds of assessments paid on trees shipped into the United States but not sold; and increase the mandatory period to maintain Order-related books and records for at least five years “to allow the Board to audit additional years’ records and collect any potential past due assessments.” According to the rule, the “Real Christmas Tree Board” regulatory name change reflects the Board’s 2022 “rebrand,” intended to “alleviate confusion amongst industry members and . . . distinguish the program from other national organizations who represent both real and artificial Christmas trees.” The final rule becomes effective April 8, 2026.  

Marketing Orders: USDA Terminates Paper Packaging Promotion Program
On March 9, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published a final rule (91 FR 11140), effective upon publication, terminating ‘the Federal research and promotion program for paper and paper-based packaging” and its associated rules and regulations, and removing the program’s marketing order from the Code of Federal Regulations. The original marketing order, effective since January 2014, covered manufacturers and importers of 100,000 short tons or more of paper and paper-based packaging per year. The final rule states that, in a July 2025 referendum, “[t]ermination of the program was favored by 73.53 percent of eligible manufacturers and importers, representing 90.39 percent of the volume represented in the referendum.” Additionally, although “the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) generally requires notice and comment rulemaking,” AMS states that it has “conclude[d] that general notice and comment is unnecessary here” under the APA’s “good cause” exception “because affected stakeholders decisively voted to terminate the program.”

Dairy Policy: USDA Publishes Rule Amending Dairy Tariff-Rate Quota Licensing Program
On March 9, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) published in the Federal Register a proposed rule (91 FR 11174) to amend regulations governing dairy tariff-rate quota import licenses (7 CFR Part 6). The amendments include, among several things, terminology updates to “make the regulations more user friendly,” including “directly addressing applicants and licensees using the term ‘you’ rather than a ‘person’ or ‘a licensee’” and “updat[ing] all references to the former DAIRIES system to refer instead to its replacement, the Agriculture Trade License Administration System (ATLAS).” Additionally, “the proposed rule would remove the requirement that eligible manufacturers and processors process at least 75 percent of licensed imports in their own facilities.” The proposed rule is available for public comment until April 8, 2026 (FAS-2026-0001).

International Trade: ITC Issues Preliminary Finding Mexican Strawberry Imports ‘Materially Injure’ U.S. Industry
On March 12, 2026, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) published in the Federal Register a notice (91 FR 12219) issuing a preliminary finding that, based on ITC’s recent investigation, “there is a reasonable indication that an industry in the United States is materially injured by reason of imports of fresh winter strawberries from Mexico . . . alleged to be sold in the United States at less than fair value” (Inv. No. 731-1770). According to the notice, ITC “will issue a final phase notice of scheduling . . . upon notice from the U.S. Department of Commerce of an affirmative preliminary determination in the investigation” that the strawberries are being sold at less than fair value.

Agricultural Labor: Ohio Law Exempts H-2A Workers from Driver’s License Training Course
On March 20, 2026, Ohio H.B. 184 becomes effective, initially passed into law December 19, 2025. Among many provisions, the law specifically exempts an individual with “a valid, unexpired agricultural guest worker visa,” such as H-2A workers, from the state’s driver training course and 50-hour experiential requirements for obtaining a driver’s license. The law states that the applicant must also present a form attesting to the applicant’s “employment on a farm located in th[e] state and signed by . . . [their] employer.” Such applicants must still pass the Ohio driver’s exam.

Agricultural Labor: New Jersey Court Allows Farmworker Overtime, Minimum Wage Equal Protection Claim to Proceed
On January 23, 2026, the New Jersey Mercer County Superior Court issued an order and statement of reasons denying the state attorney general’s motion to dismiss a complaint alleging that the state’s Wage and Hour Law (WHL), which excludes farmworkers from its overtime and minimum wage provisions, violates the “equal protection,” “special laws,” and “right to safety provisions” of the New Jersey Constitution. El Comite De Apoyo a Los Trabajadores Agricolas (The Farmworker Support Committee) v. Platkin, No. MER-C-000077-24. The court found that the state had “produced no explanation at all for the overtime” provision in the WHL, stating, “Defendants point to no legislative history, nor other controlling or persuasive authority that explicated why the Legislature included the overtime exception, besides guidance from the Fair Labor Standards Act.” Additionally, the court noted, “Because other jurisdictions have struck down similar exceptions, both judicially and legislatively, and because Defendants fail to offer any explanation for the overtime exception, there is likely a rational basis for striking down the Act.” The court further held that the farmworker plaintiffs’ “minimum wage equal protection” claim “does not fail as a matter of law but rather is a fact-based determination that requires more discovery.”  The court also determined that the workers’ “special law claim survives at this motion to dismiss stage,” noting that, because “[t]he Act’s purpose is to protect New Jersey workers’ health and well-being and to ensure livable wages” and “[f]arm workers have the same need for a livable wage and overtime protections as other workers who are fully protected under the Act,” that “[i]t is . . . probable that any burden placed on agricultural employers to comply with the statewide minimum wage and overtime pay is consistent with that placed on other employers.” However, the court found that the farmworker plaintiffs provided “no authority that establishes a right to safety under the New Jersey Constitution” and dismissed their right to safety claims against the WHL. The case will now continue to proceed towards trial.  

Food Labeling: Virginia ‘Manufactured-Protein’ Labeling Bill Passes General Assembly, Heads to Governor
On March 10, 2026, the Virgina General Assembly enrolled and transferred to the governor S.B. 186 (PDF), which deems “manufactured-protein food products” as “misbranded” if the label “identifies the food as a meat food product or poultry product, unless such label bears a conspicuous and prominent qualifying term and is in close proximity to an identifying meat term.” The bill defines “manufactured-protein food product” as “a cultivated-protein food product, fungus-protein food product, insect-protein food product, plant-protein food product, or a protein food product that is not harvested directly from livestock or poultry” and specifies that a “qualifying term” includes the terms “cell-cultivated, cell-cultured, fake, grown in a lab, imitation, insect-based, lab-created, lab-grown, meat free, meatless, plant, plant-based, vegan, vegetable, veggie, or a comparable word or phrase.” The bill provides for a civil penalty not to exceed $500 for each misbranded food product labeled in violation of the law. The deadline for the governor’s action on the bill is April 13, 2026.

Food Labeling: Federal Court Allows False Labeling Suit to Proceed Against Eggland’s Best ‘Cage Free’ Claim
On February 27, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Northen District of Illinois issued a memorandum opinion and order denying in part Malvern, Pennsylvania-based Eggland’s Best Inc.’s motion to dismiss a nationwide class-action complaint alleging that the company’s “cage free” labels were false and misleading under multiple state consumer protection laws, including Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. Janecyk v. Eggland’s Best, Inc., No. 1:24-cv-06222. According to the opinion, Eggland’s “cage free” egg packaging contained a statement that its hens were “free to roam in a pleasant, natural environment” when, “[a]s it turns out, Eggland’s hens have no access to the outdoors, and are instead packed into windowless compounds made of concrete, metal, and dirt.” “Eggland argue[d] that a reasonable consumer would not be misled by the statement because (1) the eggs are clearly labeled ‘cage free,’ and Plaintiffs do not allege that the eggs are not, in fact, ‘cage free’ under the relevant state regulations; (2) the statement does not suggest that the eggs are ‘free range’ or ‘pasture raised’; (3) the statement is, in fact, true and not misleading when viewed in context; and . . . (4) the statement is mere puffery.” The court found that “a reasonable person would be misled by [Eggland’s] statement” and that the consumer plaintiffs had “plausibly allege[d] that a reasonable person would take ‘free to roam’ in a ‘natural’ and ‘pleasant’ environment together with the assertion that the hens are not kept in cages to mean that the hens would have some outdoor access.” Additionally, the court agreed with the plaintiffs’ “retort that the living conditions of hens are verifiable facts, not unactionable puffery.” However, the court noted, “Whether Eggland’s facilities still operate in the way portrayed in the [nine-year old undercover] videos is a question of fact that is not appropriate at this stage.” The case will now proceed towards trial.

Animal Welfare: DOJ Files Complaint Alleging Michigan Cage-Free Egg Law Preempted by Federal Law
On January 22, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan a complaint claiming that Michigan’s Cage Free Egg Law (Mich. Comp. Laws § 287.746; PDF Summary) is preempted by the federal Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA). United States v. Michigan, No. 1:26-cv-00246. The DOJ’s complaint alleges that Michigan’s law imposes a “quality” or “condition “in addition to or different from the official Federal standards,” which DOJ claims “establish a comprehensive federal scheme governing the quality and condition of eggs in interstate commerce, leaving no room for States to impose additional or different egg standards as a condition of sale.” The complaint seeks to enjoin the state from enforcing the law. See also ALWR—July 22, 2025, “DOJ Files Complaint Alleging California’s Proposition 12 Preempted by Federal Law.” 

Pesticides/Herbicides: Missouri Court Issues Preliminary Approval of Bayer $7.25 Billion Roundup Settlement
On March 4, 2026, the Missouri Circuit Court for the City of St. Louis issued an order and memorandum preliminarily approving a $7.25 billion class settlement agreement between Bayer/Monsanto and class plaintiffs to resolve current and future Roundup claims alleging Non-Hodgkin lymphoma injuries. King v. Monsanto Co., No. 2622-CC00325 (MO Casenet Search). According to the order, a fairness hearing on the settlement agreement will be held on July 9, 2026, after which class members will have 90 days to opt out of the settlement. See also ALWR—Feb. 24, 2026, “Bayer Announces $7.25 Billion Roundup Settlement” and ALWR—Jan. 20, 2026, “U.S. Supreme Court Grants Certiorari to FIFRA Preemption Case.  

Pesticides/Herbicides: Environmental Groups File Petition Seeking Vacatur of EPA 2026 Dicamba Registrations
On February 20, 2026, several environmental groups filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit a petition seeking vacatur of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent dicamba registrations. Nat’l Family Farm Coalition v. U.S. EPA, No. 26-1021. The “[p]etitioners allege that EPA violated its statutory duties under [the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)] and the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the new use registration order.” The petition states that it “is the fourth challenge to this dicamba new use registration for dicamba tolerant cotton and soybean.” Previously, in 2020, the Ninth Circuit issued an opinion that “vacated the registration because EPA violated FIFRA when it . . . ‘substantially understated the risks it acknowledged, and . . . entirely failed to acknowledge other risks.’” More recently, in 2024, the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona issued an opinion that “again vacated the registrations because . . . EPA was required to hold notice and comment before issuing the new use registration.” The current petition states that “some of [the] central questions presented—if not the central questions presented—will be determining whether EPA complied with this Court’s prior opinion and order in the new dicamba re-approval.” See also ALWR—Feb. 18, 2026, “EPA Announces Dicamba Approval for 2026, 2027 Growing Seasons,” ALWR—Feb. 13, 2024, “District Court Issues Order Vacating Three Dicamba Registrations,” and Agricultural Law in the Spotlight—June 4, 2020: U.S. Appeals Court Invalidates FIFRA Registrations of Dicamba Products XtendiMax, Engenia and FeXapan.   

Agricultural Data: USDA Census Study Finds 87% of Farm Landlords Do Not Operate Farms
On March 12, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) issued findings and an executive briefing from its 2024 Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of Agricultural Land (TOTAL) Survey concluding that, in 2024, 79% of the 348 million acres of rented farmland in the United States was “owned by non-farming landlords.” According to the findings, 59% “of land rented out to others . . . is cropland.” Also announced by NASS, the findings state that, of the “more than 2 million landowners,” “13% were farmers who owned and operated farms and ranches as well as rented out farmland (operating landlords) and 87% were landlords who do not operate farms.” The TOTAL Survey is part of the 2022 Census of Agriculture program.

Agribusiness: Colorado Passes Law Extending Property Tax ‘Farm,’ ‘Ranch’ Definitions
On March 14, 2026, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed into law S.B. 10 (PDF), which amends the terms “farm” and “ranch” and adds the term “pasture-based operation” in the state’s property tax statutes. Under the new law, a “‘farm’ means a parcel of land that is predominantly used to produce agricultural products that originate from the land’s productivity for the primary purpose of obtaining a monetary profit” and “‘ranch’ means a parcel of land that is predominantly used for grazing livestock for the primary purpose of obtaining a monetary profit through a pasture-based operation.” Additionally, a “‘pasture-based operation’ means a method of livestock management where pasture-grazed livestock have regular access to open pasture and derive a majority of their diet through grazing.” The law states that the legislature’s intention is to “extend” “the classification of agricultural property,” which is taxed at a lower “use value” rather than “market value” rate, to “encourage more agricultural activity and benefit the economy of local communities and of the state.” The act becomes effective on January 1, 2027.

 

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Understanding Agricultural Law Series. A free monthly 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:

Mar. 27, 2026, Understanding the Basics of Right to Farm Laws

Apr. 24, 2026, Understanding the Basics of the Renewable Fuel Standard

May 22, 2026, Understanding the Basics of the PA Preferred Program

Jun 26, 2026, Understanding the Basics of Agricultural Vehicle Regulation

July 24, 2026, Understanding the Basics of International Agricultural Trade & Tariffs

Quarterly Dairy Legal Webinar Series. A free quarterly 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:

Apr. 14, 2026, 1st Quarter 2026 Quarterly Dairy Legal Webinar

Jul 14, 2026, 2nd Quarter 2026 Quarterly Dairy Legal Webinar

Oct. 13, 2026, 3rd Quarter 2026 Quarterly Dairy Legal Webinar

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. As part of the AgWorks program, the Center for Agricultural and Shale Law will provide legal consulting and present 20+ employment law programs. Upcoming AgWorks webinars and workshops:

Mar. 31, 2026, Special Laws for Seasonal or Temporary Workers

April 28, 2026, Overview of H2A & H2B Non-Immigrant Visa Programs

May 26, 2026, Applying for the H2A and H2B Visa Programs

Subscribe to the Pennsylvania Farm Employers’ Listserv (PFEL): an email networking and resource-sharing group exclusively about human resources information for agricultural operations.

Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Legal Services Plan: “A new member-benefit program involving law firms that specialize in legal areas commonly utilized by farmers.”

Resources of Interest:

Nat’l Agric. Law Ctr., Procedures: Injunctions, Will Scobey (March 12, 2026)

Southern Ag Today, OTT Dicamba Returns, Prompting Lawsuits, Nicholas Brown (NC State) (March 13, 2026)

Agric. Law & Tax’n Blog, Dicamba Update, Roger McEowen (March 10, 2026)

Ohio St. Univ. Ext. Farm Off. Blog, What Does the Iran Conflict Mean Beyond Higher Oil Prices?, Dr. Ian Sheldon (March 10, 2026)

Univ. of Ill. Farm Policy News, Lawmakers Eye War Funding Package for More Farm Aid, Ryan Hanrahan (March 12, 2026)

Univ. of Ill. Farm Policy News, Farm Bureau Calls on Trump to Protect Fertilizer Supplies, Ryan Hanrahan (March 11, 2026)

Univ. of Ill. Farmdoc Daily, Flashback, 1979: What the Previous Cliff Might Tell Us About the Potential One Ahead, Jonathan Coppess (March 12, 2026)

STATE ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PRESS RELEASES

None.

PENNSYLVANIA EXECUTIVE AGENCIES (Pa. Bulletin Vol. 56, No. 11—March 14, 2026):                      

Department of Agriculture

56 Pa.B. 1423 Notice: “Pennsylvania Distilled Spirits Industry Promotion Board; Grant Solicitation and Application Procedures”

56 Pa.B. 1426 Notice: “Pennsylvania Distilled Spirits Industry Promotion Board; Grant Solicitation and Application Procedures for Funding of a Statewide Marketing Project”

56 Pa.B. 1430 Notice: “Pennsylvania Food Bucks Program Grant Application; Extension of Deadline for Application”

56 Pa.B. 1430 Notice: “Pennsylvania Malt and Brewed Beverages Industry Promotion Board; Grant Solicitation and Application Procedures”

56 Pa.B. 1435 Notice: “Pennsylvania Wine Marketing and Research Program Board; Grant Solicitation and Application Procedures”

PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE

None

FEDERAL ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE

U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY PRESS RELEASES

EPA Releases Proposal for Commercial Sterilizers to Safeguard the Supply of Life-Saving Medical Tools (March 13, 2026)

EPA Public-Private Partnership Advances Gold Standard Science to Protect Water Resources (March 13, 2026)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) PRESS RELEASES

USDA Announces New Funding to Connect Farmers to Local Markets (March 10, 2026)

USDA AGENCY PRESS RELEASES

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

FDA Issues Emergency Use Authorization for Topical Spray to Prevent and Treat New World Screwworm in Multiple Species, Including Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Horses, Wild and Exotic Mammals, Wild and Pet Birds (March 10, 2026)

Economic Research Service

Status and Trends of USDA Conservation Programs, 2002–2025 (March 10, 2026)

Foreign Agricultural Service

USDA will launch the new Export Sales Reporting and Query System (ESRQS) on Thursday, March 26, 2026 (March 11, 2026)

National Agricultural Statistics Service

Most of the U.S. Rented Farmland is Owned by Non-Farmers (March 12, 2026)

2024 Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of Agricultural Land (TOTAL) Briefing (March 12, 2026)

March Crop Production (March 10, 2026)

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

NIFA Invests $6.5M to Advance Agricultural Literacy Among K-14 Education Professionals (March 11, 2026)

NIFA Awards $7.9M in Animal Reproduction Grants (March 11, 2026)

NIFA Invests an Additional $297K in Response to Central Texas Floods (March 11, 2026)

Natural Resources Conservation Service

NRCS Survey Measures Impact of Conservation on U.S. Cropland (March 13, 2026)

Plant Materials Program 2025 Reports of Activities (March 11, 2026)

Rural Development

USDA announces more than $317,000 for housing repairs in three rural Michigan communities (March 12, 2026)

USDA Rural Business & Cooperative Programs Administrator J.R. Claeys Visits to Highlight West Virginia Manufacturing, Economic Development, and Domestic Energy Production (March 12, 2026)

USDA Loan to Upgrade Sewer Infrastructure in the Village of Vicksburg (March 10, 2026)

Guthrie County Hospital Breaks Ground on $37 Million Expansion and Renovation Project with Support from USDA (March 10, 2026)

FEDERAL EXECUTIVE AGENCIES (Federal Register: March 9—March 13, 2026):

Agricultural Marketing Service

91 FR 11441 Final rule: “Updates to the Popcorn Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Order” (March 10, 2026)

91 FR 11187 Proposed rule: “Almonds Grown in California; Extension of Inedible Disposition Obligation Deadline” (March 9, 2026)

91 FR 11131 Final rule: “Avocados Grown in South Florida and Imported Avocados; Change in Maturity Requirements” (March 9, 2026)

91 FR 11135 Final rule: “Christmas Tree Promotion, Research, and Information Order” (March 9, 2026)

91 FR 11140 Final rule: “Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion, Research and Information Order Termination” (March 9, 2026)

91 FR 11184 Proposed rule: “Olives Grown in California; Decreased Assessment Rate” (March 9, 2026)

91 FR 11189 Proposed rule: “Honey Packers and Importers; Increased Assessment Rate” (March 9, 2026)

91 FR 11181 Proposed rule: “Sweet Cherries Grown in Designated Counties in Washington; Modification of Handling Regulations” (March 9, 2026)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

91 FR 12339 Notice of availability: “Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for the Importation of Fresh Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.)) Roots from the Republic of Korea into the United States” (March 13, 2026)

91 FR 12340 Revision to and extension of approval of an information collection; comment request: “Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Cooperative State-Federal Brucellosis Eradication Program” (March 13, 2026)

Farm Service Agency

91 FR 11271 Notice; request for comments: “Information Collection Request; Emergency Relief Program (ERP) 2022” (March 9, 2026)

91 FR 11129 Correcting amendments: “Supplemental Disaster Relief Program and Dairy Margin Coverage Program; Correction” (March 9, 2026)

Food and Drug Administration

91 FR 12420 Notice: “Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Animal Food and Egg Regulatory Program Standards” (March 13, 2026)

Food and Nutrition Service

91 FR 11946 Notice: “Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Breastfeeding Award of Excellence” (March 11, 2026)

91 FR 11947 Notice: Renewal of a previously approved information collection: “Agency Information Collection Activities: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Trafficking Controls and Fraud Investigations (Card Replacement)” (March 11, 2026)

Food Safety and Inspection Service

91 FR 12133 Notice and request for comments: “Notice of Request to Renew an Approved Information Collection: Nutrition Labeling of Major Cuts of Single-Ingredient Raw Meat or Poultry Products and Ground or Chopped Meat and Poultry Products” (March 12, 2026)

Foreign Agricultural Service

91 FR 11174 Proposed rule: “Dairy Tariff-Rate Quota Import Licensing Program” (March 9, 2026)

Rural Housing Service

91 FR 11272 Notice: “OneRD Annual Notice of Guarantee Fee Rates, Periodic Retention Fee Rates, Loan Guarantee Percentage and Fee for Issuance of the Loan Note Guarantee Prior to Construction Completion for Fiscal Year 2026” (March 9, 2026)

U.S. HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE

H.R.7921 “To amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to modify provisions relating to rural decentralized water systems grants.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (March 12, 2026)

H.R.7914 “To amend the Food Security Act of 1985 with respect to the experienced services program, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (March 12, 2026)

H.R.7913 “To amend the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 to reauthorize grants and fellowships for food and agricultural sciences education, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (March 12, 2026)

H.R.7906 “To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and administer a pilot program to provide grants to support Food is Medicine programs, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned (March 12, 2026)

H.R.2709 “Save Our Sequoias Act” Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 466 (March 12, 2026)

U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY 

S.4096 “A bill to amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to modify provisions relating to rural decentralized water systems grants.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (March 12, 2026)

S.4091 “A bill to amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to improve wildlife habitat connectivity and wildlife migration corridors, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (March 12, 2026)

S.4088 “A bill to amend the Federal Crop Insurance Act to improve education and risk management assistance, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (March 12, 2026)

S.4072 “A bill to reauthorize Agricultural and Food Policy Research Centers.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (March 12, 2026)

S.4067 “A bill to amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to establish research and extension grant priorities, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (March 11, 2026)

S.4045 “A bill to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to establish online and delivery standards, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (March 10, 2026)

S.4035 “A bill to amend the Commodity Exchange Act to prohibit the listing of contracts relating to war, death, and similar activities.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (March 10, 2026)

U.S. HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE—UPCOMING HEARINGS

None.

U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY—UPCOMING HEARINGS  

U.S. Senate Ag. Comm., Business Meeting, March 16, 2026 at 5:30 PM EST

 

Contributors:
Audry Thompson—Staff Attorney
Christina Fraser—Research Assistant
Riley Amdor —Research Assistant
Samuel Sweeten—Research Assistant