REPS GRAY, HINSON, PANETTA, FINSTAD INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO EXPAND ACCESS TO ADVANCED AG TECHNOLOGY

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Representatives Adam Gray (CA-13), Ashley Hinson (IA-02), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and Brad Finstad (MN-01) introduced the bipartisan PRECISE Act to expand farmers’ access to precision agricultural tools through existing Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds. The bill would incentivize private sector investment and fund research efforts through cost-sharing programs to improve access to precision agricultural technology for farmers.

“The San Joaquin Valley is the center of cutting-edge agricultural innovation,” said Rep. Gray. “This critical technology must be readily available to our farmers. The PRECISE Act would make this a reality: expanded federal support for technology purchases for farmers will help us stay competitive on the world stage. Our Valley is the most productive agricultural region in the world, and I will work across the aisle with whoever is serious about making sure our producers have the tools they need to succeed.”

"Farmers are the best conservationists and stewards of their land,” said Rep. Hinson. “I’ve seen the impact of precision agriculture firsthand in Iowa, and this technology is essential to boosting crop yields while reducing input costs and environmental impacts. The bipartisan PRECISE Act will expand access to these proven tools through programs our farmers know and trust, and I’m proud to continue championing this critical issue as we look to get the next Farm Bill across the finish line for Iowa farmers.”

“Farmers across the nation and on the central coast of California are currently facing difficult challenges from everything from inflation, tariffs, labor challenges, burdensome regulations, shrinking markets, to mother nature,” said Rep. Panetta. “Our bipartisan legislation to help them with the investment, education, and application of technology in their everyday work is the least that we can do to lessen the many burdens of agriculture production. By making technology more accessible and useful to farmers, it can help them increase crop yields in a sustainable manner, make farming more cost effective for their families and rural communities, and ensure our country's food security."

“Southern Minnesota farmers lead the way in innovation, and precision agriculture is a key part of growing more with less while protecting our land for the next generation,” said Rep. Finstad. “The PRECISE Act builds on that success by ensuring producers can access the tools they need without adding new spending or creating new programs."

The PRECISE Act would:

• amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to include eligibility for precision agriculture within USDA’s existing Conservation Loan and Guaranteed Loan Programs and expand programs for rural entities to include loans for precision agriculture technology and rural broadband connectivity;
• increase cost share and practice payments under the Equipment Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) to allow for purchase of precision agriculture technology;
• and require the Secretary of Agriculture to encourage the use of third-party providers for technical assistance.

Read the full text of the bill here.

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