USDA Announces Appointments to the Mushroom Council

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the appointment of three members to serve on the Mushroom Council. These three appointees will serve three-year terms, effective immediately, through Dec. 31, 2028. 
Newly appointed members are:

  • Region 1: Tony Starchuski, Gonzales, Texas
  • Region 1: Michael Stephan, Dallas, Texas
  • Region 2: Ed Wuensch, Avondale, Pa.

The Mushroom Council has nine members, including eight producers and one importer. Members can serve up to two consecutive three-year terms.

USDA Seeks Nominees for the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominees for the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee to fill seats for five members and five alternates for a two-year term, beginning June 1, 2026, and ending May 31, 2028. Nominations for producer members and alternates will be accepted at the Joint Annual Onion Growers meeting on Feb. 3, 2026, in Ontario, Ore. Nominations for handler members and alternates will take place in March 2026 with an exact date to be determined. 

The committee is seeking nominees for producers and handlers for the following areas:

USDA Seeks Nominees for the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee – Area 2 (San Luis Valley)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominees for the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee – Area 2 (San Luis Valley) to fill seats for eight members and eight alternates for a two-year term, beginning June 1, 2026, and ending May 31, 2028. Nominations will be accepted at the Southern Rocky Mountain Agriculture Conference from Feb. 3-5, 2026, in Monte Vista, Colo.
The committee is seeking nominees for producers and handlers for the following areas:

PRODUCERS

USDA Seeks Nominees for National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations from fluid milk processors and other interested parties for candidates to serve on the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 27, 2026.

From the nominees, the Secretary of Agriculture will appoint six individuals to succeed members whose terms expire on June 30, 2026. Newly appointed members will serve three-year terms from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029.

USDA Announces Enhancement of Commodity Acceptance Procedures

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will begin modernizing acceptance procedures for poultry and egg products purchased for federal food and nutrition assistance programs. Instead of mandating a “USDA Grade” which requires continuous oversight by an AMS employee, the agency will describe the desired quality attributes and then audit suppliers for their ability to produce conforming products. Companies producing fresh, frozen, and further processed beef and pork products already successfully use this acceptance model.

Public Hearing – Proposed Amendments to the South Texas Onion Marketing Order

On February 3-4, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture held a two-day public hearing on proposed amendments to Marketing Order No. 959 (Order) that regulates the handling of onions grown in South Texas.  USDA conducted the in-person public hearing to receive evidence on proposed amendments recommended by the South Texas Onion Committee (Committee), which is responsible for local administration of the Order. 

USDA Seeks Nominees for the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominees for the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee to fill seats for three members and three alternates for a two-year term of office, beginning June 1, 2026 and ending May 31, 2028. Nominations will be accepted at the Nominations Committee Meeting in Walla Walla, Wash. on Jan. 28, 2026.

The committee is seeking nominees for:

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