ACE Agriculture Act of 2026

The ACE Agriculture Act of 2026 amends USDA research programs to expand their focus on water conservation, greenhouse gas reduction, and resilience against climate impacts like drought and pests. It increases annual funding for the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AGARDA) from $50 million to $100 million (2027-2031) and requires the program to prioritize water conservation, emissions mitigation, and protection from diseases and pests. The bill redesignates a former "Pilot" program as a permanent initiative, clarifies the Director’s role to work directly with the Chief Scientist (without reporting to other USDA program heads), and allows use of unobligated funds for implementation. This primarily affects USDA research operations and agricultural producers adopting new technologies for sustainability and climate adaptation.