FARM AI Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would make AI in agriculture a central USDA priority by embedding AI into research, extension, and grant programs and by creating a senior advisor role to steer adoption, standards, and interagency work with NIST.
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- Farmers and producers: Expands research and development priorities to cover AI for precision farming, crop and animal systems, resource management, weather monitoring, and cybersecurity. It explicitly aims to help small, medium, and family-run farms access AI tools and improve competitiveness.
- Rural communities and the workforce: Requires Cooperative Extension and grant programs to include AI-focused outreach, workforce development, technical training, and teaching projects so producers and rural students can learn to use and maintain AI and precision agriculture systems.
- USDA coordination and standards: Establishes an Artificial Intelligence Agriculture Advisor, designates a senior NIFA official for that role, and directs collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop national AI standards and coordinate federal AI efforts for agriculture.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More AI research and training grants
If enacted, AFRI competitive grants would add artificial intelligence research and a new workforce training priority. Section 1417 grants and fellowships would be allowed to fund AI and precision agriculture training programs for rural communities. Schools and extension programs could apply for teaching enhancement projects that teach computing, AI, and machine maintenance. The bill does not set funding amounts or deadlines.
New USDA AI Agriculture Advisor
If enacted, the Secretary would designate a senior official from NIFA as an Artificial Intelligence Agriculture Advisor. The Advisor would coordinate USDA AI research, outreach, and workforce training and work with NIST on agricultural AI standards. Section 296(b) would be amended to explicitly authorize the Secretary to carry out the Advisor role. The bill does not set a budget for this position.
USDA builds and teaches farm AI
If enacted, AgARDA would be allowed to develop and deploy artificial intelligence systems and solutions for farmers and ranchers. Cooperative Extension would be required to include AI systems and data-driven tools in outreach and education for producers and rural communities. Together these changes would move some USDA activity from research toward practical AI tools farmers could use. The bill does not specify funding or timelines.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3]
IA • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]
NC • D
Sponsored 7/14/2026
Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
NJ • D
Sponsored 8/20/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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