Legis Daily

FARM AI Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-4627| Senate 
| Updated: 5/21/2026
Ted Budd

Ted Budd

Republican Senator

North Carolina

Cosponsors (5)
Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Jim Banks (Republican)Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democratic)Mike Rounds (Republican)

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation aims to significantly increase the adoption and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across the agricultural sector through Department of Agriculture programs. Congress finds that AI has the potential to improve farm productivity , enhance decision-making, develop precision technologies, reduce resource use, and expand economic opportunities for various farm sizes, while also boosting U.S. competitiveness. It also recognizes the need for technical assistance, education, and federal guidance to accelerate responsible AI adoption. The bill amends several existing Department of Agriculture (USDA) research and extension programs, including the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (AFRI) and the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act (AgARDA), to explicitly include AI as a priority area. These amendments focus on research, development, and implementation of AI for precision agriculture, farm management, crop production, resource management, cybersecurity, and weather monitoring. Additionally, it emphasizes workforce development and technical training for computing systems, AI, precision agriculture adoption, and machine maintenance within rural communities. A key provision establishes an Artificial Intelligence Agriculture Advisor within the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). This Advisor is tasked with encouraging and promoting AI and digital agriculture technologies in each State through technical assistance, outreach, workforce training, and support for small farm enterprises. The Advisor will also collaborate with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop and implement national AI standards specifically for the agriculture sector, ensuring responsible and effective adoption.
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Timeline
May 21, 2026
Introduced in Senate
May 21, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Jul 14, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-9686
Introduced in House
  • May 21, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 21, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.


  • July 14, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-9686
    Introduced in House

Agriculture and Food

FARM AI Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-4627| Senate 
| Updated: 5/21/2026
This legislation aims to significantly increase the adoption and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across the agricultural sector through Department of Agriculture programs. Congress finds that AI has the potential to improve farm productivity , enhance decision-making, develop precision technologies, reduce resource use, and expand economic opportunities for various farm sizes, while also boosting U.S. competitiveness. It also recognizes the need for technical assistance, education, and federal guidance to accelerate responsible AI adoption. The bill amends several existing Department of Agriculture (USDA) research and extension programs, including the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (AFRI) and the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act (AgARDA), to explicitly include AI as a priority area. These amendments focus on research, development, and implementation of AI for precision agriculture, farm management, crop production, resource management, cybersecurity, and weather monitoring. Additionally, it emphasizes workforce development and technical training for computing systems, AI, precision agriculture adoption, and machine maintenance within rural communities. A key provision establishes an Artificial Intelligence Agriculture Advisor within the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). This Advisor is tasked with encouraging and promoting AI and digital agriculture technologies in each State through technical assistance, outreach, workforce training, and support for small farm enterprises. The Advisor will also collaborate with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop and implement national AI standards specifically for the agriculture sector, ensuring responsible and effective adoption.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
May 21, 2026
Introduced in Senate
May 21, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Jul 14, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-9686
Introduced in House
  • May 21, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 21, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.


  • July 14, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-9686
    Introduced in House
Ted Budd

Ted Budd

Republican Senator

North Carolina

Cosponsors (5)
Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Jim Banks (Republican)Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democratic)Mike Rounds (Republican)

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Agriculture and Food

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted