USDA Launches National Proving Grounds Network to Boost Farm Profitability
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the creation of the USDA National Proving Grounds Network for AgTech (NPG-Ag), aimed at enhancing farm and ranch profitability through rigorous evaluation of agricultural technologies. This initiative, led by USDA's Research, Education, and Economics Under Secretary Dr. Scott Hutchins, seeks to validate new and emerging technologies under real-world farming conditions. The network will provide farmers with reliable performance data to make informed technology investment decisions, focusing on digital and AI-driven innovations. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) will spearhead the initiative, collaborating with land-grant universities and Grand Farm, an AgTech ecosystem in North Dakota. The NPG-Ag is expected to accelerate the adoption of technologies that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen the resilience of American agriculture. 
