Growing up around my family’s century farm, I learned firsthand that Iowa farmers have always been the first to put new technology to work when it helps them produce more with less, conserve resources, and stay competitive.
Today, artificial intelligence is the next frontier.
The backdrop: This week, the National Science Foundation selected Iowa State University to lead a new regional innovation engine across Iowa and Nebraska, investing $15 million to help develop AI technologies for agriculture by bringing together our universities, community colleges, and manufacturers.
The gap: That’s a great start. But a breakthrough in an Ames lab doesn’t help a producer in Adair County until it reaches the field. High upfront costs and limited access to training mean too many Iowa farmers still can’t take advantage of tools that could help them reduce costs, improve yields, and make better decisions.
That’s why I just introduced the bipartisan FARM AI Act with Rep. Don Davis to help close that gap. ⬇️
Our bill would:
🌽 Focus USDA’s AI research on the real-world challenges Iowa farmers face every day — from improving yields to reducing input costs.
🚜 Expand AI training through the Extension offices Iowa producers already know and trust — helping farmers adopt these technologies safely and responsibly
🎓 Invest in AI and precision ag training in rural communities — so the next generation can learn the skills needed to operate tomorrow’s equipment without leaving home.
Bottom Line: Iowa farmers feed and fuel the world, and they’ve never needed Washington to tell them how to innovate. They just need access to the tools, training, and technology that will shape the next generation of American agriculture. That’s what we’re fighting to deliver: making sure the next breakthrough doesn’t stay in a laboratory but reaches the fields where it can make a difference.