New 'LAST ACRE Act' Proposes $20M Annually to Boost High-Speed Internet on Farms

The 'Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments Act of 2025,' or 'LAST ACRE Act,' aims to get more farms and ranches hooked up to high-speed internet. If passed, this bill would establish the 'Last Acre Program,' authorizing $20 million per year from fiscal years 2026 through 2030. The main goal, as outlined in Section 2, is to provide grants and loans to internet service providers to deliver 'qualifying connectivity' – defined as a minimum of 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) downstream and 20 Mbps upstream – to agricultural land that's currently 'unserved' (lacking 25Mbps/3Mbps) or 'underserved' (lacking the 100Mbps/20Mbps standard).

Plugging in the Fields: How It Works

So, how does this actually get internet to the parts of a farm that need it for modern tech? The bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to set up the Last Acre Program within a year. Covered internet providers can then apply for funds to extend their networks to 'eligible land' – essentially, the agricultural areas needing better connections. This isn't about wiring up every rural home; the bill specifically prohibits using these funds for 'serviceable residences or commercial areas outside eligible land.'

The federal government won't foot the entire bill for these projects. The federal share is capped at 80% of the total cost, though this can bump up to 90% for projects serving 'limited resource farmers or ranchers.' These are defined as producers with gross farm sales under $100,000 (adjusted for inflation since 2002) and household income at or below the national poverty level or less than 50% of the county median income. This means a small family farm struggling with outdated tech might see a bigger boost from federal funds to get connected for precision agriculture – things like GPS-guided tractors or sensor networks that monitor soil conditions.

Getting in Line: The Application and Priority Game

Providers wanting to participate will need to register through a new online portal, though Section 2 clarifies this registration is voluntary. This could mean that in some areas, fewer providers might step up to bid. When a provider submits an initial bid for a project, the Secretary is required to post information about the eligible land and notify other registered providers, who can then submit competing bids. There's also a challenge process where providers can contest whether a piece of land is actually eligible.

When it comes to picking winners, the Secretary will evaluate bids based on the 'lowest cost and the best ability to meet the connectivity needs of on-farm applications.' That 'best ability' part is a bit open-ended, which could make the decision process less clear-cut. The bill does set priorities: first dibs go to projects on 'unserved eligible land in remote areas,' then other unserved land, followed by underserved land in remote areas, and finally other underserved land. This means a farm in a truly isolated spot with no internet at all should, in theory, be at the front of the line.

Beyond Bandwidth: Data, Security, and Shifting Rules

This isn't just about laying fiber. The bill requires providers receiving funds to implement cybersecurity measures, including a 'layered defense strategy' and an updated 'configuration management plan.' It also aims to get a better picture of who's using what: Section 3 mandates that the National Agricultural Statistics Service update its surveys (like the Census of Agriculture) to collect more detailed data on broadband adoption. They'll be asking farmers if they subscribe to broadband, their speeds, and how they use it, specifically mentioning 'precision agriculture.' This data will also be shared with the FCC to update national broadband maps.

Finally, the LAST ACRE Act makes some changes to existing law by repealing sections 602 and 603 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 and making related tweaks. The full impact of repealing these older sections isn't detailed in this bill, so that's something to watch. The program also includes an annual report to Congress on how the money is being spent and the outcomes of the bidding processes. For farmers and ranchers, the big question will be how effectively this program translates into faster, more reliable internet where they need it most, and whether $20 million a year is enough to tackle a problem this big across the country.