Watermelon Board Seat Shakeup Scrapped: USDA's Math Fails the Slice Test

2026-20792, Raisins Produced From Grapes Grown in California; Order Amending Marketing Order No. 989

California raisin producers just voted to shake things up! The USDA is cutting the Raisin Committee from 47 to 21 members, changing how reps are chosen, and tweaking rules about raisin quality and marketing. These changes kick in on November 9, 2026, aiming to make raisin handling smoother and more modern without extra costs.

2026-20622, Almonds Grown in California; Amendment to the Marketing Order

California almond growers and handlers are getting a new power to borrow money from banks to help run their marketing order smoothly. This change aims to keep things running without hiccups and will be voted on between November 2 and 20, 2026. If approved, it could make managing almond marketing more flexible and financially stable.

2026-20095, United States Grain Standards Act Award of Designations

The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service just gave official thumbs-up to seven grain inspection groups across the U.S. These groups will keep making sure grain quality meets standards in their areas starting now, helping farmers and buyers trust their grain’s grade. If you’re in North Dakota, Omaha, Fremont, Champaign, Maryland, Enid, or Eastern Iowa, this news means smooth grain inspections ahead with no extra costs announced.

2026-19887, Almonds Grown in California; Extension of Inedible Disposition Obligation Deadline

California almond growers and handlers now have two extra months to handle inedible almonds, extending the deadline from September 30 to November 30 every year. This change helps them manage almond quality and market supply better without rushing. The new rule kicks in on October 29, 2026, giving the industry more flexibility and smoother operations.

2026-19623, National Organic Program: Notice of Intent To Extend and Revise a Previously Approved Information Collection (2027)

The USDA’s National Organic Program is planning to extend and update its paperwork rules for organic farmers and businesses through 2030. This means folks involved in organic farming will see some changes in how they report info, helping keep organic standards strong and clear. Comments on these updates are open until November 24, 2026, so now’s the time to speak up!

2026-19420, Fruit Crops; Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection

The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service wants to keep collecting info about fruit crops and make some updates to how they do it. This affects fruit growers and businesses involved in federal marketing orders. They’re asking for your thoughts by November 23, 2026, and this helps keep fruit marketing smooth without extra costs.

Previous: 2026-18290, Air Plan Approval; Reconsideration and Repeal of Air Plan Partial Approval and Partial Disapproval of North Dakota's Regional Haze State Implementation Plan for the Second Implementation Period

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is proposing to repeal a final rule published in the Federal Register on December 2, 2024, partially approving and partially disapproving North Dakota's 2022 regional haze State Implementation Plan (SIP) submission for the second implementation period. As a result, the EPA is proposing to approve the portions of North Dakota's 2022 SIP submission for the second implementation period that were disapproved in the EPA's 2024 partial approval/partial disapproval. In the December 2024 final rule, the EPA determined that North Dakota submitted a regional haze SIP that did not meet all the statutory and regulatory requirements for the regional haze second implementation period. On January 31, 2025, and February 6, 2025, EPA received petitions for reconsideration from the State of North Dakota, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Lignite Energy Council (LEC), Rainbow Energy Center, and the Coyote Station Co-Owners. On January 31, 2025, the State of North Dakota, Montana-Dakota Utilities Company, NACCO Natural Resources Corporation, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Rainbow Energy Center, and Lignite Energy Center filed petitions for review in the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. EPA granted reconsideration on April 30, 2025, sending letters to the State of North Dakota, Basin Electric, LEC, Rainbow Energy Center, and Coyote Station Co-Owners. The petitions for review were held in abeyance by the Eighth Circuit on June 4, 2025 pending the administrative reconsideration process.

Next: 2026-18317, Updated Definition of “Waters of the United States”

The purpose of this supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking is for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army ("the agencies") to supplement and seek additional comment on certain aspects of an earlier proposal, published on November 20, 2025, to revise the regulations defining the scope of waters federally covered under the Clean Water Act in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. As stated in the agencies' November 20, 2025 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the agencies intend for this rulemaking to provide greater regulatory certainty and increase Clean Water Act program predictability and consistency by clarifying the definition of "waters of the United States." After consideration of the public comments received on the NPRM, the agencies are issuing this notice to supplement the NPRM with additional regulatory options on certain aspects of the proposed rule.