Federal marketing orders are locally administered by committees made up of growers and/or handlers, and often a member of the public. Marketing order regulations, initiated by industry and enforced by USDA, bind the entire industry in the geographical area regulated if approved by producers and the Secretary of Agriculture.

Marketing orders and agreements (1) maintain the high quality of produce that is on the market; (2) standardize packages and containers; (3) regulate the flow of product to market; (4) establish reserve pools for storable commodities; and (5) authorize production research, marketing research and development, and advertising.

USDA Seeks Nominees for Peanut Standards Board. Docket Number: AMS-FV-15-0025; AMS-FV15-996-1. [Notice PDF] [Press Release]

Hearing Dates Set for Proposed Marketing Order for Pecans Grown in 15 States. Docket Number: AMS-FV-15-0023; AMS-FV15-986-1. [Webpage] [Notice of Hearing] [Press Release]

Clarification of U.S. Antitrust Laws, Immunity, and Liability under Marketing Order Programs. Docket Number: AMS-FV-14-0072; FV14-900-2 PR. Comments due by June 5, 2015. [Notice PDF]

Fruit, Vegetable, and Specialty Crops-Import Regulations; Changes to Reporting Requirements to Add Electronic Form Filing Option. Docket Number: AMS-FV-14-0093; FV15-944/980/999-1 IR. Effective: March 30, 2015; comments received by May 26, 2015 will be considered prior to issuance of a final rule. [Notice PDF]

Exemption of Organic Products from Assessment under a Commodity Promotion Law. Docket Number: AMS-FV-0032. Comments were due by February 17, 2015. [Notice PDF] [News Release] [Notice of Extension of Comment Period]

Regulations Issued Under the Export Apple Act; Exempting Bulk Shipments to Canada from Minimum Requirements and Inspection. Effective: April 7, 2014. [Webpage] [News Release] [Notice PDF]