Agricultural Marketing Service press releases

USDA Requests Comments on Beef Grade Standards

Trouble viewing this email? View it as a webpage . USDA Requests Comments on Beef Grade Standards Notice to Trade The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced today that it is seeking input from the public and stakeholders on how the U.S. Standards for Grades of Carcass Beef may be updated to better serve the needs of industry, large volume food buyers and modern consumers. Since the last update to the Beef Grading Standards have been implemented beef production and quality assessment methods have changed significantly, as have consumer preferences. As such, USDA requests comments including data, recommendations, and other information from stakeholders so that the Beef Grading Standards can incorporate necessary updates to maintain relevance and meet consumer needs. The official Request for Information is available here: Federal Register - United States Standards for Grades of Carcass Beef AMS develops and maintains official grade standards for beef carcasses, which measure factors such as meat yield, fat covering, ribeye area, degrees of marbling and carcass defects such as dark cutting beef and blood splash. The standards are applied to determine the quality of the product, and are not a reflection of wholesomeness, which is determined by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) prior to the grading process. Beef producers, packers, wholesalers, food manufacturers, food service operators, food retailers, and consumers rely on USDA’s voluntary beef grading services to ensure that requirements are met for quality and other factors. USDA grading offers an independent third-party opinion on product quality based on the USDA requirements to help producers market their products and assures buyers that the quality meets or exceeds those standards. For more information, contact Chad Nelson at chad.nelson2@usda.gov or at (402) 281-4704. ### USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service All AMS press releases Update

You are subscribed to All AMS press releases for USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Announces Targeted Organizational Improvements and Leadership Changes to Strengthen Service Delivery 06/17/2026 02:00 PM EDT (Washington, D.C., June 17, 2026) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) mission area today announced strategic, targeted organizational improvements within the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). The Mission Area is also pleased to announce career Senior Executive Service member Kelly Moore, who has been Acting Administrator, has been appointed as the permanent Administrator for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Reorganization body { font-size: 1em; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; color: #333333; }

USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Announces Targeted Organizational Improvements and Leadership Changes to Strengthen Service Delivery

Trouble viewing this email? View it as a webpage . USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Announces Targeted Organizational Improvements and Leadership Changes to Strengthen Service Delivery (Washington, D.C., June 17, 2026) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) mission area today announced strategic, targeted organizational improvements within the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). The Mission Area is also pleased to announce career Senior Executive Service member Kelly Moore, who has been Acting Administrator, has been appointed as the permanent Administrator for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Reorganization AMS administers programs that create and expand marketing opportunities for U.S. agricultural producers. More than 90 percent of its workforce is based in field positions across the country. To enhance efficiency and better align with USDA priorities, AMS will reduce siloing in its Fair Trade Practices Program by moving commodity specific functions to the appropriate AMS commodity or service programs. For example, oversight of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act will shift to the Specialty Crops Program, and the Packers and Stockyards Division will move to the Livestock and Poultry Program. This realignment will deepen collaboration, streamline communication, and provide industry stakeholders with a single, clear point of contact for AMS related issues. AMS mission areas will continue uninterrupted, with no reduction in force. The agency will gradually reduce its National Capital Region footprint, with most future hiring occurring in USDA Hubs or field offices. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) In addition to the MRP changes, USDA is announcing the appointment of Kelly Moore as APHIS Administrator. This appointment provides consistent, stable leadership as targeted improvements move forward. “Administrator Moore’s appointment provides APHIS with strong and steady leadership,” said Under Secretary Hoskins. “Her commitment to service, accountability, and partnership will help ensure APHIS continues delivering exceptional support to U.S. agriculture.” Simultaneously, APHIS is implementing targeted changes to its Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program to strengthen national plant health leadership and unify policy and operational functions, enabling faster, more consistent responses to plant health issues and emerging threats. All PPQ programs will continue without interruption and with no reduction in force nor movement of staff. No animal or plant health programs, including personnel, are impacted by these additional announcements. Commitment to Transparency and Stakeholder Engagement Both AMS and APHIS remain committed to transparent communication and will continue engaging employees, partners, and stakeholders to support a smooth transition that strengthens MRP’s long-term capacity to serve U.S. agriculture and protect the Nation’s food and fiber systems. ### USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Contact: Public Affairs PA@usda.gov (202) 720-8998 Release No. 087-26

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service All AMS press releases Update

You are subscribed to All AMS press releases for USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. USDA’s Remote Beef Grading Program Launches App – Offers Marketing Benefits to Processors and Cattle Producers 06/04/2026 01:00 AM EDT Washington, D.C., June 4, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) launched a new mobile app to make access to the Remote Grading Program for Beef (RGP) even easier. body { font-size: 1em; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; color: #333333; }

USDA to Host Webinar Showcasing Market News Resources for Small Meat and Poultry Processors

Trouble viewing this email? View it as a webpage . USDA to Host Webinar Showcasing Market News Resources for Small Meat and Poultry Processors The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will host an informational webinar to help small and mid‑size meat and poultry processors access and use market information available through USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). The session will introduce participants to a range of free AMS Market News tools that support business planning, price discovery, and marketing strategies. The 30-minute webinar will guide processors through key datasets—including wholesale meat reports, direct‑to‑consumer pricing trends, and grocery store feature activity—highlighting how this information can be used to understand market dynamics and identify promotional opportunities. T he webinar will be held on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET. Register in advance. Webinar Topics Wholesale Meat Data Participants will learn to navigate AMS wholesale price dashboards—such as the Beef Wholesale Price Update, Weekly Pork Price Summary, and Lamb Board Reports—and to interpret Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR) data, including relative pricing of wholesale cuts. Beef Wholesale Price Update | Weekly Pork Price Summary | Lamb Board Reports | LMR Meat reports Direct‑to‑Consumer Price Reports Reports on specialty and niche meats—including Grass Fed Beef, Pasture Raised Pork, Grass Fed Lamb & Goat, Pasture Raised Poultry, and monthly Bison—will be covered, offering insight into retail prices, carcass values, and processing fees across emerging and specialty markets. Grass Fed Beef | Pasture Raised Pork | Grass Fed Lamb & Goat | Pasture Raised Poultry | Bison (Monthly) Grocery Store Feature Activity Weekly feature activity reports for major proteins—including Beef, Pork, Lamb, Goat, Veal, Turkey, and Chicken—will be presented, along with a discussion of how seasonality and retail promotions influence demand, pricing, and planning cycles. Beef | Pork | Lamb | Goat | Veal | Turkey | Chicken ### USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

USDA’s Remote Beef Grading Program Launches App – Offers Marketing Benefits to Processors and Cattle Producers

Trouble viewing this email? View it as a webpage . USDA’s Remote Beef Grading Program Launches App – Offers Marketing Benefits to Processors and Cattle Producers Press Release (Washington, D.C., June 4, 2026) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) launched a new mobile app to make access to the Remote Grading Program for Beef (RGP) even easier. “While more than 90% of fed beef is officially graded by USDA – predominantly at larger plants – the Remote Grading Program for Beef (RGP) extends those market benefits, especially to small processors, by providing low-cost grading services that afford them access to new markets using USDA grades like Prime, Choice, and Select,” said Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Dudley Hoskins. “This new app is another enhancement supporting producers and processors participating in the program with improved responsiveness, streamlined workflows, and assurance grading services remain accurate and reliable. Programs like RGP and its continued improvements reflect USDA’s commitment to expand opportunities for producers to market their high-quality American beef.” The RGP provides processors with access to USDA beef grades (Prime, Choice, and Select) at a lower cost than traditional onsite graders. The RGP utilizes mobile app imaging, supported by robust data management and oversight, to assess carcass characteristics remotely and assign official grades that buyers and consumers rely on to signal quality. With the new app, customers will experience more secure image submissions, fewer upload mistakes, clearer status visibility, and reliable tracking of assigned carcass grades. Since its launch, the RGP has registered 88 facilities – many are considered small or very small – in 32 states. Most plants received grades within 24 hours of submission. Farmers and ranchers also benefit from having official USDA quality grades, which allow them to use this information in direct-to-consumer markets, or simply to use carcass data to continue improving genetics, growth, and quality. RGP supports Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins’ Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry and allows industry to leverage access to USDA quality grades to expand market opportunities. For more information about the RGP for beef, visit https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/remote-beef-grading or contact Jodie Pitcock at Jodie.Pitcock@usda.gov or (816) 351-5152. ### USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service All AMS press releases Update

You are subscribed to All AMS press releases for USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. USDA Announces $9.75 Million in Grant Funding Available through the Acer Access and Development Program and Micro-Grants for Food Security Program 05/22/2026 01:00 PM EDT The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced over $9.75 million in funding available through the Acer Access and Development Program (Acer) and the Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP). The funding through these programs will support projects to promote the domestic maple syrup industry and increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food in insecure food communities. Access and Development Program (Acer) body { font-size: 1em; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; color: #333333; }

USDA Announces $9.75 Million in Grant Funding Available through the Acer Access and Development Program and Micro-Grants for Food Security Program

Trouble viewing this email? View it as a webpage . USDA Announces $9.75 Million in Grant Funding Available through the Acer Access and Development Program and Micro-Grants for Food Security Program Press Release The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced over $9.75 million in funding available through the Acer Access and Development Program (Acer) and the Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP). The funding through these programs will support projects to promote the domestic maple syrup industry and increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food in insecure food communities. Access and Development Program (Acer) $5.0 million in funding is available through the Acer program to support projects that expand consumer awareness of the maple syrup industry and provide valuable resources to maple syrup producers. Acer promotes the domestic maple syrup industry through activities associated with research and education related to maple syrup production, natural resource sustainability in the maple syrup industry, and the marketing of maple syrup and maple-sap products. Projects may be awarded for up to 36 months. A 25% cost share of federal funds requested is required. Eligible applicants include states, tribal governments, and research institutions. All eligible applicants must be located within the 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Acer is authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill and funded through annual appropriations. Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP) $4.75 million in funding is available through MGFSP to fund projects that support communities that have significant levels of food insecurity and import substantial quantities of food. MGFSP provides funding to eligible states’ and territories’ agricultural agencies to competitively subaward projects that support small scale gardening, herding, livestock operations, and other community-based food security initiatives. Organizations or individuals interested in the MGFSP should contact their state department of agriculture for more information on how to apply within the state or territory listed below. Eligible applicants are agricultural agencies, commissions, or departments in Alaska, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawaii, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, and the United States Virgin Islands. MGFSP is authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill. Application Information Applications must be submitted electronically through www.grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the application deadline established on the table below. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered unless the applicant provides documentation demonstrating an extenuating circumstance that prevented timely submission of the grant application. Read more in the Late, Nonresponsive, and Incomplete Applications Policy on the AMS Policies and Procedures page for more information. AMS offers informational webinars to provide applicants an overview of program requirements, eligibility, application components, and tips for submitting competitive applications. Participation is encouraged for both new and returning applicants. Webinar dates, times and registration links are available on the AMS Grants Webinars webpage. Additionally, Frequently Asked Questions are posted on the AMS Grants website , and grants management specialists are standing by to answer any incoming questions and emails during regular business hours. Application information, including previously funded projects, is available on each program’s webpage. Funding Opportunity Webpage Email Application Deadline Acer www.ams.usda.gov/acer SAGPgrants@usda.gov June 22, 2026 MGFSP www.ams.usda.gov/mgfsp IPPGrants@usda.gov June 22, 2026 USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

LAMP Applicant Webinars and Call for Grant Program Peer Reviewers

Trouble viewing this email? View it as a webpage . LAMP Applicant Webinars and Call for Grant Program Peer Reviewers Notice to Trade The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will be hosting informational webinars for the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) grant programs announced on April 21, 2026. These webinars will provide an overview of program requirements, eligibility, application components, and tips for submitting competitive applications. Participation is encouraged for both new and returning applicants. Webinar dates, times and registration links are available on the AMS Grants Webinars webpage and listed below. Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) Applicant Webinar: Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 2:00 p.m. ET, Registration . Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) Applicant Webinar: Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 2:00 p.m. ET, Registration . Regional Food Systems Partnership (RFSP) Applicant Webinar: Thursday, May 14, 2026, 2:00 p.m. ET, Registration . Each program will also host virtual office hours, with dates, times, and registration links available at the AMS Grants Webinars webpage. Additionally, USDA is seeking subject matter experts to serve as peer reviewers to evaluate applications for at least six competitive AMS grant programs for the FY26 grant cycle. Current Programs Seeking Peer Reviewers: Acer Access and Development Program (Acer) Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP) Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) Specialty Crop Multi-State Program (SCMP) AMS grant peer reviewers should have knowledge or experience in agricultural systems, including but not limited to marketing, processing, distribution, and/or local and regional food systems. Producers and those with first-hand experience in food and farm businesses are encouraged to participate. Reviewing applications will take approximately six weeks. Reviewers evaluate applications assigned to them independently; they then come together with other panel members virtually, discuss their findings as a team and finalize reviews and scoring. Non-federal reviewers will be compensated for their reviews. New reviewers can register and select the program(s) they are interested in through the GrantSolutions- Reviewer Recruitment Module (RRM) . More information can be found on the How to Become an Application Reviewer and Become a Grant Reviewer for USDA AMS webpages. Reviewers already registered in RMM must update their profile with current information. All interested reviewers must upload a current resume to RMM after completing the profiles. The AMS Grants Division works to improve domestic and international opportunities for U.S. growers and producers. AMS works with a variety of organizations to support rural America and the nation’s agricultural sector. For additional information visit the AMS Grants & Opportunities webpage . USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

USDA Seeks Nominees for Popcorn Board

Trouble viewing this email? View it as a webpage . USDA Seeks Nominees for Popcorn Board Notice to Trade The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks nominees for the Popcorn Board. Nominees are needed to fill two seats with terms beginning Jan. 1, 2027, and ending Dec. 31, 2029. Eligible nominees must process over four million pounds of popcorn annually. The Popcorn Board is made up of five popcorn processors and supports the research and promotion of U.S. popcorn. More information about the board is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Popcorn Board webpage or on the board’s website at www.popcorn.org . For more information, contact George Webster at (202) 365-4172 or George.Webster@usda.gov . Since 1966, Congress has authorized the development of industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight of 21 boards, paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

USDA Seeks Nominees for National Honey Board

Trouble viewing this email? View it as a webpage . USDA Seeks Nominees for National Honey Board Notice to Trade The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for the National Honey Board. Nominations are needed to fill three member and three alternate seats. Open seats include one first handler member, one producer member, one importer member, and their alternates. Newly appointed members and alternates will serve three-year terms from Jan. 1, 2027, through Dec. 31, 2029. The deadline for nominations is June 1, 2026. Only qualified national organizations within the honey industry may formally nominate members. All nominees must meet the qualifications and have a completed application submitted. Producer members or alternates must produce a minimum of 50,000 pounds of honey in the U.S. annually based on the best three-year average of the most recent five calendar years to be eligible. A nomination form is available online at https://honey.com/nomination-form . You may also contact the National Honey Board at honey@NHB.org ; or USDA Marketing Specialist Katie Cook at Katie.Cook@usda.gov . The current 10-member board includes three first handlers, three importers, three producers, one marketing cooperative representative, and their alternates. More information about the board is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Honey Board webpage. Since 1966, Congress has authorized the development of industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight of 21 boards, paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

USDA Announces $32.4 Million in Grant Funding Available through the Local Agriculture Market Program

Trouble viewing this email? View it as a webpage . USDA Announces $32.4 Million in Grant Funding Available through the Local Agriculture Market Program Notice to Trade The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced $32.4 million in grant funding available through the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) to help local and regional food entities develop, coordinate, and expand producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional food markets, and local food enterprises. LAMP includes the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) , Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) , and the Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) . USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is accepting applications for the grant programs until June 5, 2026. Through FMPP and LFPP, USDA is making $27.68 million available. FMPP funds projects that develop, coordinate, and expand direct producer-to-consumer markets such as farmers markets, roadside stands, agritourism activities, community-supported agriculture programs (CSA), or online sales. LFPP funds projects that develop and expand local and regional food business enterprises that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer to consumer marketing such as shared-use kitchens, food hubs, and food incubators. This year, $4.71 million in funding is available through the RFSP to support public-private partnerships that plan and develop relationships between local and regional producers, processors, intermediaries, and institutional markets or institutional food service operations. LAMP and its accompanying grant programs are administered by USDA AMS and are funded through the 2018 Farm Bill. These programs require a 25% cash match of federal funds being requested. Application Information Applications must be submitted electronically through www.grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 5, 2026. Any grant application submitted after the due date will not be considered unless the applicant provides documentation of an extenuating circumstance that prevented their timely submission of the grant application. Read more in the Late, Nonresponsive, and Incomplete Applications Policy on the AMS Policies and Procedures page for more information. AMS offers webinars to help new applicants navigate the application process and understand best practices for the greatest chance of success. For application information, visit the program links below. Additionally, Frequently Asked Questions are posted on the AMS Grants website , and grants management specialists are standing by to answer any incoming questions and emails during regular business hours. Funding Opportunity Webpage Email FMPP www.ams.usda.gov/fmpp FMLFPPGrants@usda.gov LFPP www.ams.usda.gov/lfpp FMLFPPGrants@usda.gov RFSP www.ams.usda.gov/rfsp IPPGrants@usda.gov AMS supports U.S. food and agricultural product market opportunities, while increasing consumer access to fresh, healthy foods through applied research, technical services, and congressionally funded grants. These projects will support the development, coordination and expansion of direct producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional food markets and enterprises, and value-added agricultural products. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.