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USDA INVESTMENT SUPPORTS EXPANSION TO MEET WORKFORCE NEEDS IN AG TECH AT IOWA STATE
Nov. 12, 2026
Source: Iowa State University news release
AMES, Iowa - Iowa State University's Digital Ag Innovation Lab has secured $6 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Research Facilities Act Program to support FIELD Commons, a proposed 42,000-square-foot expansion.
FIELD Commons, short for Farmer Innovation, Education, Learning and Deployment Commons, will expand the existing Alliant Energy Agriculture Innovation Lab, creating additional space for hands-on agricultural technology and producer education, industry collaboration, and workforce development. The $12 million project includes $6 million in federal funding and requires an additional $6 million in non-federal cash support.
"Our partnership with Iowa State Extension and Outreach includes a variety of outreach courses that are focused on practical on-farm technology adoption, the deployment of ag tech curriculum into Iowa high schools, and other cutting-edge topics include AI in agriculture where we have found demand outstripping our space capacity. This is a terrific opportunity for us to capitalize on serving a real need. The expansion will give us the flexible space we need to deliver impactful, hands-on programming. We are thrilled that USDA priorities aligned with our mission to serve Iowans in this way," said director Matt Darr, Digital Ag Innovation Lab & BioCentury Research Farm.
The expansion will address growing workforce needs such as automation, artificial intelligence, robotics and data-driven technologies reshaping agriculture in support of the university's strategic priority to fuel Iowa's growth. Over five years, FIELD Commons aims to support 25,000 student engagements, 500 educator engagements, more than 1,000 workforce micro-credentials and one hundred employer-connected learning experiences. The project also aims to increase annual stakeholder engagement from more than 5,000 to more than 20,000.
At its November meeting, the Iowa Board of Regents is expected to approve an amendment to its lease agreement with the Iowa State University Research Park to allow for expansion.
The Iowa State University Digital Ag Innovation Lab advances agriculture through innovation, outreach, and education. Through hands-on training, applied research and industry collaboration, Digital Ag connects producers, students and agricultural professionals with the knowledge and technologies shaping the future of digital agriculture. Learn more at https://digitalag.iastate.edu/.
This work is supported by the Research Facilities Act Program, project award no. 2026-77047-47237, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
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