PSC Awards Precision Agriculture Infrastructure Grants

For Immediate Release

PSC AWARDS PRECISION AGRICULTURE
         INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS

Lincoln, April 30, 2024- The Nebraska Public Service Commission has
awarded 11 grants totaling nearly $680,000 as a part of the inaugural
Precision Agriculture Infrastructure Grant (PRO- AG) program (C-5529).

“These initial grants will help fund innovative projects designed to
advance precision agriculture across the state,” said Commission
Chair Dan Watermeier. “We look forward to seeing the benefits that
these projects have for ag producers and the industry.”

Created by the Precision Agriculture Grant Act, Neb Rev. Stat.§86-
1401, the PRO-AG program makes available nearly one million
dollars in grants annually to boost rural economic development
through connectivity, sustainability, traceability, and autonomy for
farm sites in unserved areas of Nebraska.

The PRO-AG program is divided into two distinct subprograms,
Connectivity, and Devices and Technology. During the 2023-2024
grant cycle the Commission received 20 applications for funding.
Upon review of the applications received, the Commission
determined 11 submissions would be funded. Three grants were
awarded in the Connectivity subprogram for a total of $391,280
and eight grants were awarded in the Devices and Technology
subprogram for a total of $287,336.29. Grant dollars not awarded
during the initial cycle will carry over to the next grant cycle.

Commissioner Watermeier said, “We appreciate the insights and
experience gained through this first round of grants and are
optimistic of the potential for future awards to support innovative
PRO-Ag projects.”

Projects funded through today’s awards must be completed by April
30,2025. A list of the projects approved through the PRO-AG
program can be found on the PSC website
< https://psc.nebraska.gov/precision-agriculture >.  ###

Contact:
Deb Collins- Communications & Media Mgr.
(402) 471-0226 /deb.collins@nebraska.gov