Nebraska Public Service Commission
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 agricultureacross the state,” said Commission Chair Dan Watermeier. “We look forward to seeing thebenefits 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 programmakes available nearly one million dollars in grants annually to boost rural economicdevelopment through connectivity, sustainability, traceability, and autonomy for farm sites inunserved areas of Nebraska.
The PRO-AG program is divided into two distinct subprograms, Connectivity, and Devices andTechnology. During the 2023-2024 grant cycle the Commission received 20 applications forfunding. Upon review of the applications received, the Commission determined 11 submissionswould 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 totalof $287,336.29. Grant dollars not awarded during the initial cycle will carry over to the nextgrant cycle.
Commissioner Watermeier said, “We appreciate the insights and experience gained through thisfirst round of grants and are optimistic of the potential for future awards to support innovativePRO-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 >.