USDA Surveys Farmers on High-Tech Growing Tools
Published Date: 6/22/2026
Notice
Summary
The USDA’s Economic Research Service wants to learn how farmers growing specialty crops like fruits and veggies use cool tech like precision and digital agriculture. They’re asking for public comments by August 21, 2026, before launching a new survey that could help farmers save money, fight pests smarter, and boost productivity. This effort aims to make farming more high-tech and profitable without costing farmers extra right now.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Time Cost: 30-Minute Survey Burden
If you are a specialty crop farmer, responding to the USDA survey would take about 30 minutes per respondent. The agency estimates 1,050 respondents and a total annual burden of 1,500 hours for the collection.
Research to Boost Specialty Crop Profitability
USDA will use the survey data to study precision and digital agriculture adoption in specialty crops to support research intended to increase farmer profitability, protect against invasive species, and promote soil health. The agency says this effort could help farmers save money, fight pests smarter, and boost productivity without costing farmers extra right now.
Confidentiality Protections for Respondents
Survey responses will be protected under the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act (CIPSEA) of 2018, and ERS employees and contractors must comply with those protections. This means the data collection includes statutory confidentiality safeguards for participants.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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