Meeting of the National Organic Standards Board

2026-09571 — Designation Opportunities for United States Grain Standards Act

The USDA is opening up chances for new groups to officially inspect and weigh grain in six areas because some current agencies’ designations are ending or have been canceled. If you’re a private company or state agency interested, you can apply between June 1 and June 30, 2026. This is a great opportunity to step in, keep grain quality high, and serve farmers and buyers with official services.

2026-09502 — Domestic Dates Produced or Packed in Riverside County, California; Decreased Assessment Rate

Starting June 12, 2026, date growers and packers in Riverside County, California, will pay less in fees—dropping from 15 cents to 5 cents per hundredweight. This change helps local date producers save money while keeping the marketing program running smoothly. The new lower rate will stay in place until any future updates are made.

2026-09500 — Blueberry Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Continuance Referendum

Blueberry growers and importers who handled at least 2,000 pounds of highbush blueberries in 2025 will vote from July 13-24, 2026, on whether to keep the current blueberry research and promotion program going. This program helps fund marketing and research efforts through small fees collected from those producers. Your vote decides if these helpful rules stay in place, with ballots sent by mail and accepted electronically.

2026-09504 — Revision of Seven U.S. Grade Standards for Canned Tomato Products

The USDA is updating seven U.S. grade standards for canned tomato products starting June 12, 2026. They’re simplifying color grading, switching from two terms to one, and changing “catsup” to the more popular “ketchup.” These changes help tomato producers and sellers keep things clear and consistent without adding extra costs.

2026-09326 — Kiwifruit Grown in California; Continuance Referendum

California kiwifruit growers will vote from May 18 to June 8, 2026, on whether to keep the current rules that help manage how kiwifruit is grown and sold. Only growers who produced fresh kiwifruit between August 2024 and July 2025 can vote. This decision affects how the kiwifruit market is organized and could impact growers’ costs and sales.

2026-09063 — United States Standards for Grades of Nectarines

The USDA wants to update the rules for grading nectarines by removing 'speckling' as a defect since it’s just a cosmetic thing and actually means the fruit might be sweeter. This change helps farmers, sellers, and buyers better match today’s fruit quality without unfairly knocking down grades. If you have thoughts, you’ve got until July 6, 2026, to speak up—no cost, just your opinion!

Previous: 2026-06411 — Quarterly Status Report of Water Service, Repayment, and Other Water-Related Contract Actions

This report shares updates on water contracts managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, affecting farmers, communities, and businesses that rely on project water. It highlights new, changed, or finished contracts that impact water delivery and payments, helping everyone stay in the loop about water use and costs. These updates happen regularly to keep water flowing smoothly and fairly across five regions.

Next: 2026-06413 — Revised Non-Foreign Overseas Per Diem Rates; Correction

The Department of Defense fixed a small but important mistake in their overseas travel pay rates for places like Puerto Rico. The corrected dates now show the right start time of April 1, 2026, so travelers get paid correctly. This update kicks in on April 2, 2026, making sure everyone’s travel money is on point!