USDA Proposes Rule to Amend the California Almond Marketing Order

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting comments on a proposed amendment under the federal marketing order for California almonds.

The proposed amendment would establish borrowing authority to allow the Almond Board of California to borrow funds from financial institutions through a seasonal line of credit. The board recommended this action to better manage approved expenditures within its established internal control policies and help maintain cash flow to support operations, making operations more efficient.

The proposed rule for this action was published in the Federal Register on March 23, 2026. Written comments are due by May 19, 2026.

Comments on the proposed change should be posted on https://www.regulations.gov. All comments on the proposed rule submitted by the deadline will be made available for public review and will be considered before publication of the final rule.

More information about the marketing order is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) California Almonds webpage.

Authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, marketing orders are industry-driven programs that help fruit, vegetable and specialty crop producers and handlers achieve marketing success by leveraging their own funds to design and execute programs that they would not be able to do individually. AMS provides oversight of each fruit, vegetable and specialty crop marketing order and agreement to ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.

USDA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Provider and Lender.