The bill would direct the Agriculture Department to collect, connect, and analyze data on conservation and production practices. The data would help assess effects on crop yields, soil health, ecosystem services, risk, and farm and ranch profitability. The department would create a secure data center, share approved data with researchers, and publish research results in forms that protect private information. It would also provide producers with technical assistance and online tools, and report to Congress each year.
Producers could choose whether to provide supplemental data or receive technical assistance. The bill would not let the department require either. Producers could receive confidential farm-specific information through online tools, along with general information about practices. The bill requires protections for producer data, including prohibiting its sale and limiting published research to aggregated and anonymized data.
The department would use its existing funds and authorities. The bill does not specify a new funding amount.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.