LAST ACRE Act of 2025

This bill would create a new “Last Acre Program” to bring fast, reliable internet across entire farms and ranches, not just to homes. The Department of Agriculture would offer competitive grants and loans to internet providers to connect unserved and underserved cropland, pasture, rangeland, and farm sites so producers can use precision agriculture tools. Money can’t be used to wire homes already marked as served or promised service, or to sell service to areas outside the farm.

Projects could get up to 80% of their costs covered, or up to 90% if the farmer or rancher has limited resources. The program puts the most remote places with no service first, then other unserved areas, then underserved areas. It also requires basic cybersecurity steps and gives providers up to four years to build the service . It allows $20 million per year from 2026 through 2030, and tells USDA to update farm surveys to track broadband subscriptions, speeds, and how farms use the internet, including precision agriculture.

• Who is affected: Farmers and ranchers on eligible land (like cropland, pasture, rangeland, and farm sites) and internet providers; up to 10% of funding may go to agricultural research centers.
• What changes: New grants/loans to connect the “last acre”; funds can’t be used for already-served homes or to sell service outside the farm; providers must follow basic cybersecurity steps .
• When: USDA must set up the program within one year after it becomes law; projects must be finished within four years; funding is for 2026–2030 .