USDA seeks public engagement on a special interagency report entitled the 2nd State of the Carbon Cycle Report, which will focus on U.S. and North American carbon cycle processes, stocks, and flows in the context of and interactions with global scale budgets and climate change impacts in managed and unmanaged systems, including soils, water, vegetation, aquatic-terrestrial interfaces, human settlements, agriculture, and forestry.

USDA announced the availability of a final guidance document for use by certified organic operations and accredited certifying agents entitled, Natural Resources and Biodiversity Conservation.

USDA announced the availability of a final guidance document for use by accredited certifying agents and by certified and exempt organic operations entitled, Substances Used in Post-Harvest Handling of Organic Products.

USDA expanded the organic assessment exemption set forth in commodity promotion programs to cover all “organic” and “100 percent organic” products certified under the National Organic Program regardless of whether the person requesting the exemption also produces, handles, markets, processes, manufactures, feeds, or imports conventional or nonorganic products.

The U.S. Forest Service proposes to revise a portion of the Code of Federal Regulations governing public participation requirements and procedures related to the issuance or revision of internal agency directives and will host a webinar to inform the public and obtain comment on the anticipated changes.

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced a proposal to require the authorization of field testing of regulated genetically engineered wheat under permit, instead of under notification, and seeks public comment.

The president proclaimed September 2015 National Wilderness Month, inviting Americans to visit and enjoy our wilderness areas, to learn about their vast history, and to aid in the protection of our precious national treasures.

USDA amended the Conservation Reserve Program regulations to implement provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill, including eligibility requirements for enrollment of grassland and contract provisions for veteran farmers and ranchers, among other changes.

USDA's Rural Business-Cooperative Service issued an interim final rule for the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program that establishes provisions for the loan guarantees available for biorefineries to support the production of advanced biofuels and renewable chemicals and for biobased product manufacturing facilities pursuant to the 2014 Farm Bill.

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service amended the Water Bank Program regulations to clarify that lands owned by Indian Tribes are eligible for enrollment.