This bill establishes a new federally funded research program focused on developing and promoting automated and mechanized farming technologies for specialty crops like fruits, vegetables, and nuts. The program will provide competitive grants to universities, research institutions, and other eligible entities to create cost-effective machines and technologies that reduce manual labor needs, improve worker safety, and increase farming efficiency. The bill prioritizes projects that include training for farmworkers to operate and maintain new equipment and commits to communicating results to farmers and the public. The legislation allocates at least thirty million dollars annually for this new program from fiscal years 2026 through 2031, while also continuing funding for the existing specialty crop research initiative. The bill affects farmers, agricultural researchers, agricultural equipment manufacturers, and specialty crop workers who will benefit from new technologies and training opportunities.
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