Leading Government-to-Government Relations
The Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) leads the Department’s vision to support and enhance government-to-government relations between USDA and the Federally recognized tribal governments. OTR supports tribal interests by providing a one-stop approach for USDA, coordinating with other Federal agencies and the Administration to ensure access to those who deliver the resources to support the goals of the Tribe(s). Further, OTR reviews regulations for potential tribal implications.
Webinars & Listening Sessions
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Quarterly Tribal Listening Session
Date: Thursday, December 3, 2020
Time: 3:00 - 4:00 PM Eastern Time
Meeting Format: Conference Call | Toll Free: 877-226-8216 | Pass Code: 487391
Agenda Items:
- Product Specification for Walleye fillets destined for FDPIR – Terry Lutz
- Local and Regional Food Systems Response to COVID-19 – Christina Conell
- Updates on Domestic Hemp Production Program – Bill Richmond
SNAP “Deep Dive” Listening Session
Details: This session will give tribes an overview of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other topics such as SNAP Employment & Training and SNAP-Ed. The presentation will include information about eligibility determination, work requirements, and quality control.
Date: Thursday October 29, 2020
Time: 1:00 - 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Register
OCT. 2020 SNAP Tribal Leader Letter (PDF, 118 KB)
SNAP Fact Sheet (PDF, 123 KB)
SNAP Deep Dive Agenda (PDF, 116 KB)
SNAP Deep Dive Presentation (PDF, 732 KB)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture Tribal Stakeholder Listening Session
Date: Friday, October 30, 2020
Time: 1:00 PM Eastern Time
Register
Agenda:
1. USDA - Office Tribal Relations (OTR) Update (5 min)
- USDA OTR Webinar FSA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP2) – for more information from the webinar and FAQs see: https://www.usda.gov/coronavirus/farmer-resource
2. New Topics (55 min)
1:05 - 1:10 PM
Welcome and Introductions
Parag Chitnis, Acting Director
1:10 - 1:20 PM
Office of Grants & Financial Management Update
Matthew Faulkner, Deputy Director, OGFM
1:20 - 1:30 PM
NIFA Programs Update
Suresh Sureshwaran, Deputy Director, Institute of Youth, Family, and Community
1:30 - 1:50 PM
Stakeholder/NIFA Feedback
Suresh Sureshwaran and Matt Faulkner
- Communication: How, Frequency, and What?
- Increasing applications to NIFA Programs
- Grant Management Needs
1:50 - 2:00 PM
Q & A
3. Upcoming Issues
- November - CARES Act funding guidelines for Tribes
SNAP Rules Listening Session
USDA will discuss SNAP rules with impact on tribes, including: Final Rule - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) Integrity.
Date: Friday October 30, 2020
Time: 1:30 - 3:00 PM Eastern Time
Register
OCT. 2020 SNAP Tribal Leader Letter (PDF, 118 KB)
SNAP Fact Sheet (PDF, 123 KB)
SNAP Rules Agenda (PDF, 170 KB)
For more information, visit https://www.usda.gov/tribalrelations/tribal-consultations
Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2) – Stakeholder Call
Details: USDA is implementing a second sign up of the CFAP for agricultural providers who continue to face market disruptions and associated marketing costs because of COVID-19. Signups will begin September 21, 2020 and continue through December 11, 2020 through local Farm Service Agency locations.
Virtual Date: Monday, September 21, 2020
Time: 11 AM Eastern Time
Seafood Trade Relief Program (STRP) – Tribal Leader Call
Details: If you are a U.S. fisherman impacted by retaliatory tariffs, you may qualify for funding through the STRP. In this call for tribal leaders, we will cover the basics of the program and how to apply through your local USDA Service Center.
Virtual Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Time: 2:00 PM Eastern Time
Audio Recording
Seafood Trade Relief Program (STRP) – General Stakeholder Webinar
Details: If you are a U.S. fisherman impacted by retaliatory tariffs, you may qualify for funding through the STRP. In this webinar, we will cover the basics of the program and how to apply through your local USDA Service Center.
Virtual Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Time: 3:00 PM Eastern Time
Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2) – Producer Webinar
Details: Join USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) as we introduce Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2. USDA listened to producer feedback during the first round of CFAP, and CFAP 2 has been adapted to better meet the needs of impacted farmers and ranchers of non-specialty and specialty crops, livestock, dairy, eggs, aquaculture, and nursery crops and cut flowers. Learn about expanded eligibility for certain commodities, new payment categories including a sales-based approach to specialty crops and other specific commodities, and information on how to apply.
Virtual Date: Thursday, September 24
Time: 3:00 PM Eastern Time
Additional Resources
USDA Departmental Regulation on Tribal Consultation, Coordination, and Collaboration
Consolidating USDA Agencies' Services on Indian Reservations
Presidential Executive Order on Tribal Consultation
USDA Consultation Action Plan (PDF, 323 KB)