06.15.21

Hoeven: USDA Implements RISE Program, Will Begin Accepting Applications June 16

Senator Secured $10 Million for RISE to Advance Development & Adoption of Precision Agriculture Technologies

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has finished implementing the Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) program and will begin accepting applications on June 16. The program will support innovation clusters in rural areas, providing grants of up to $2 million to support high-wage job creation, new business formation, business expansion and economic growth.

RISE aligns with Hoeven’s ongoing work to advance the development and adoption of the next generation of precision agriculture technologies, which includes supporting the efforts of Grand Farm. To this end, the senator:

  • Secured a total of $10 million for RISE over Fiscal Years (FY) 2020 and 2021.
  • Included language in annual funding bills to prioritize projects like Grand Farm.
  • Has been pressing USDA officials, including Secretary Vilsack, to complete the program’s implementation.
  • Secured a commitment from Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Dr. Jewel Bronaugh to visit North Dakota and learn more about Grand Farm firsthand.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to develop precision agriculture technologies, supporting better yields and lower input costs for our farmers and enabling them to continue competing in the global marketplace,” said Hoeven. “That’s why we’ve worked to provide $10 million for this program, and we appreciate Secretary Vilsack for working with us to implement the RISE program.”

The deadline for RISE applications is August 2, 2021. Interested parties should contact their nearest USDA Rural Development State Office. Further details on the RISE program can be found here, and potential applicants can register for USDA’s informational webinar here.

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