Docket Number: AMS-LP-21-0028
Comments Due: December 15, 2023

Summary

This proposed rule invites comments on the establishment of procedures for conducting a referendum to determine whether issuance of a proposed Natural Grass Sod Research and Promotion Order (Order) is favored by natural grass sod producers. The procedures would also be used for any subsequent referendum under the Order. The proposed Order is being published separately in this issue of the Federal Register .

Docket Number: AMS-LP-21-0028
Comments Due: December 15, 2023

Summary

• July 2023 – Promoting Independent Meat & Poultry Producers, Regional Conservation Programs, Educational Opportunities, and Funding

• June 2023 – Resilient Food Infrastructure Program, National Dairy Month, Advisory Committee on Urban Agriculture, and Funding Opportunities

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) posted for public inspection in the Federal Register two proposed rules seeking comments on establishing an industry funded promotion, research, and information program for natural grass sod products and establishing procedures for conducting a referendum to determine whether issuance of a proposed Natural Grass Sod Research and Promotion Order is favored by natural grass sod producers.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that the continuance referendum requirement under the federal marketing order for California raisins is suspended until Nov. 26, 2029. The suspension, announced in an interim final rule published in the Federal Register, provides the Agricultural Marketing Service time to complete a formal rulemaking and for the U.S. raisin industry and the Raisin Administrative Committee to assess the benefits of the rulemaking before raisin growers vote in a continuance referendum.