Press Releases

Today, Reps. Scott Franklin (FL-18) and Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) reintroduced their Land Grant Research Prioritization Act, which would help give land grant universities dedicated access to existing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant funding to enhance artificial intelligence (AI), mechanization and other research.

“Labor shortages, inflation, supply chain disruption, invasive diseases and extreme weather have created significant challenges for American agricultural producers,” Rep. Franklin said. “AI and other important research into mechanization, invasive species and aquaculture are promising solutions to keep growers economically competitive. At a time when growers in Florida and around the country need support, our bipartisan Land Grant Research Prioritization Act is a timely fix to boost US-grown food production and keep growers on the cutting edge. I thank Ranking Member Bishop for joining me in this important effort.”

“We rely on America’s farmers to produce the safest, most abundant, and affordable food, fiber, and materials. Yet they face many challenges such as supply chain resiliency, workforce capacity, input costs, coping with invasive species and pests, as well as the fallout of climate change. We must ensure that we are on the cutting edge of technology that can assist our farmers and producers,” said Rep. Bishop, Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. “For over a century, land-grant institutions – like Fort Valley State University – have been at the forefront of research, development, and extension which has allowed U.S. agriculture to thrive. I am pleased to work with Congressman Franklin through this legislation to harness the power of our 1862 and 1890 land-grant institutions to explore how mechanized harvesting and artificial intelligence can help improve U.S. agriculture.”

“Authorization for USDA to fund research into agricultural applications for artificial intelligence is essential to the future of American farms. The land-grant universities engaged in first-rate science cannot deliver it at the speed necessary to keep us globally competitive without USDA support. Funding for AI-guided agricultural science will drive the innovation that keeps America globally competitive and not reliant upon other nations for its food supply,” said Dr. J. Scott Angle, Senior Vice President of Agriculture and Natural Resources, UF/IFAS.

“As the world’s population grows, it’s critical that agriculture is able to embrace new technologies that strengthen how we produce food, fiber, and fuel. This effort ensures that innovation remains central in research, particularly as emerging tools, including advanced data systems and advanced breeding approaches, create new opportunities to solve complex challenges. Expanding our focus on developing and evaluating these technologies ensures that producers have practical, science-based solutions they can trust.,” said Dr. Nick Place, Dean of the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES).

Specifically, this legislation updates USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture research priorities to allow land grant institutions to apply for competitive grants to support farm mechanization and agricultural artificial intelligence applications, invasive species and aquaculture research initiatives.  The pair's bill will allow land grant institutions to continue to innovate and pioneer solutions to the challenges facing our nation's agricultural producers.

Read the full bill text here.