H.R. 4155: American Agricultural Security Research Act of 2025

This bill, known as the American Agricultural Security Research Act of 2025, aims to enhance agricultural research and educational programs in the United States by establishing "centers of excellence" focused on various agricultural areas. Here are the key provisions of the bill:

1. Centers of Excellence

The Secretary of Agriculture is required to recognize at least one center of excellence for each of several designated areas. These centers will conduct research, outreach, and educational programs in specific fields, which include:

• Aquaculture: Research and development of methods for breeding and caring for aquatic species.
• Beginning Farmers and Ranchers: Training programs for new farmers, including management training, mentoring, and access to financial resources.
• Biosecurity and Cybersecurity: Efforts to protect the food supply from biological and cyber threats.
• Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering: Focus on advanced agricultural technologies and machinery.
• Biotechnology: Development of advanced animal and plant biotechnologies to boost productivity.
• Crop Production, Protection, and Resilience: Research into improving crop yield and protection against pests.
• Digital Agriculture: Development and application of digital technologies such as AI in agriculture.
• Farm Business and Financial Management: Supports farmers in improving their business models and financial planning.
• Food Quality: Research to improve the quality and safety of food items.
• Foreign Animal Disease: Research on controlling and responding to foreign animal diseases.
• Forestry: Focus on forest management, health, and conservation.

2. Host Institutions

Institutions eligible to host or co-host these centers include various types of colleges and universities, specifically:

• Land-grant colleges (1862, 1890, and 1994 institutions).
• Non-land-grant colleges of agriculture.
• Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges/universities.
• Colleges or schools of veterinary medicine.

Efforts will be made to ensure geographic diversity among the institutions selected for hosting these centers.

3. Grant Program for Agricultural Protection

The bill also establishes a competitive grant program designed to enhance protection for the food and agricultural systems against threats like bioterrorism and cybersecurity attacks. Eligible grant recipients include:

• State agricultural experiment stations.
• State departments of agriculture.
• Colleges and universities.
• Research institutions.
• Federal agencies.

4. Reporting Requirements

The Secretary of Agriculture must submit annual reports detailing:

• The projects undertaken by each center of excellence.
• The funding and partners involved in each project.
• Any technology transfers and intellectual property actions taken.

5. Funding Provisions

The bill authorizes $10 million annually for the fiscal years 2026 to 2030 to support the initiatives outlined in the legislation, specifically for the operation of the centers of excellence and the grant program.

6. Restrictions on Funds

Funds allocated for this initiative cannot be used for constructing new buildings or modifying existing ones.

7. Duration of Centers of Excellence

Each center will be funded for a five-year period and may be eligible for one renewal for an additional five years.

Relevant Companies

• ADM: Archer Daniels Midland operates in the agribusiness sector and may be involved in various research and development initiatives resulting from the centers of excellence.
• DE: Deere & Company provides agricultural machinery and technologies, which are relevant to the agricultural engineering aspects outlined in this bill.
• BAYRY: Bayer AG, which operates in biotech and agricultural seeds and will likely engage in research resulting from these centers.