USDA would get more AI grants, research, farmer education under new Senate bill

May 23, 2026 - 03:57

A new bipartisan bill in the Senate aims to boost artificial intelligence in agriculture, giving the U.S. Department of Agriculture more resources for research, grants, and farmer training. The legislation, introduced by Senator Ted Budd of North Carolina, is designed to help American farmers stay competitive in the global marketplace.

The bill would direct the USDA to expand its AI programs, focusing on practical tools that can improve crop yields, reduce waste, and cut costs for producers. It also calls for more education efforts to help farmers understand and adopt these technologies. Supporters say the measure is needed as other countries invest heavily in ag-tech.

Senator Budd, a Republican, said the bill is about giving farmers the same advantages that other industries already have from AI. He noted that many small and mid-sized farms lack access to the latest data tools, putting them at a disadvantage. The legislation would create new grant programs specifically for rural communities and smaller operations.

The bill has drawn praise from farm groups who argue that AI can help with everything from predicting weather patterns to monitoring soil health. Critics, however, have raised concerns about data privacy and the cost of implementing new systems. The bill now heads to committee for further debate.