USDA Launches National Initiative to Evaluate Agricultural Technology for U.S. Farmers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the launch of the National Proving Grounds Network for AgTech (NPG-Ag), a new initiative aimed at evaluating agricultural technologies under real-world farming and ranching conditions across the United States. Announced by Agriculture Research, Education, and Economics Undersecretary Scott Hutchins, the initiative seeks to provide reliable performance data for new and emerging technologies, particularly those driven by digital and artificial intelligence. The USDA's Agricultural Research Service will lead the initiative, collaborating with other USDA research agencies. Grand Farm, an AgTech ecosystem based in North Dakota, will manage the national program, working alongside land-grant universities that will serve as primary research and testing partners. 
