Nunn Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Put Artificial Intelligence to Work on Iowa Farms

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representatives Zach Nunn (IA-03) and Don Davis (NC-01) today introduced the bipartisan Fostering Agricultural Research and Modernization through Artificial Intelligence (FARM AI) Act , legislation to accelerate the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) across American agriculture by modernizing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) research and workforce programs.

"Iowa farmers have always been the first to put new technology to work when it helps them grow more efficiently, conserve resources, and stay competitive," said Rep. Nunn . "Artificial intelligence is the next frontier. From yield mapping and precision nutrient application to disease detection and water conservation, AI gives farmers better information to make better decisions in real time. Our bipartisan FARM AI Act builds on the groundbreaking research already happening at Iowa's universities while investing in the workforce needed to bring these innovations from the lab to the field. The future of agriculture shouldn't be written by bureaucrats in Washington - it should be driven by the Iowa farmers who feed America."

Iowa is already at the forefront of AI research in agriculture. The AI Institute for Resilient Agriculture , based at Iowa State University and supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, is developing AI-powered models of crops and entire farming systems to help breeders develop stronger varieties and help producers improve yields while using fewer resources.

That momentum continues to grow. Yesterday, the NSF announced Iowa State University will lead a new innovation network spanning Iowa and Nebraska that brings together community colleges, industry partners, entrepreneurs, and investors to spur innovation in the bioeconomy. While research is advancing rapidly, many producers still face barriers to putting these tools to work. High upfront costs, limited technical expertise, and a shortage of rural workforce training have slowed adoption of AI technologies on many farms. The FARM AI Act addresses those challenges by modernizing existing USDA programs to help move innovation from the laboratory to the farmgate.

"Feeding America is national security, and the future of agriculture will depend on our ability to innovate," said Rep. Davis . "We must strengthen research, expand workforce training, and give producers the tools they need to increase productivity, remain globally competitive, and ensure the United States continues to lead the world in agriculture."

Specifically, the FARM AI Act would:

• Designate artificial intelligence as a priority research area under USDA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) and expand AI research through the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AgARDA).
• Equip USDA Extension with the resources to help farmers responsibly adopt AI technologies and precision agriculture.
• Expand USDA grants and fellowships to strengthen the rural workforce and prepare the next generation of agricultural innovators.
• Nominate a senior USDA official as the AI in Agriculture Advisor to coordinate federal AI efforts, align agency programs, and work with the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop national standards for agricultural AI.

The FARM AI Act is the House companion to bipartisan legislation introduced in the Senate by Senators Ted Budd (R-NC) and Adam Schiff (D-CA).

Text of the bill is available here .

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