Reps. Costa & Finstad Reintroduce the LAST ACRE Act

WASHINGTON – Representatives Jim Costa (CA-21) and Brad Finstad reintroduced the Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments (LAST ACRE) Act, legislation that would improve access to high-speed broadband for rural communities by establishing the Last Acre grant program within the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Office of Rural Development.

“Rural America feeds the nation, but too many still lack reliable internet. The LAST ACRE Act helps close that digital divide by bringing broadband right to the fields and farms where it’s needed most for everything from precision agriculture to telehealth and education,” said Rep. Costa.

“Access to high-speed, reliable broadband has become a necessity for rural communities like those in southern Minnesota,” said Rep. Finstad. “As a fourth-generation farmer raising the fifth, I know firsthand how critical broadband is, not only for keeping entire communities connected to the rest of the world, but also for helping farmers and producers increase innovation through the adoption of precision ag technology. That’s why I’m reintroducing the LAST ACRE Act to make sure every part of farm country, right down to the last acre, has the tools needed to thrive and keep moving forward.”

BACKGROUND

The LAST ACRE Act would create the Last Acre Grant Program under USDA’s Office of Rural Development, complementing existing “last mile” programs by ensuring high-speed internet reaches rural homes, fields, and farm sites where connectivity is critical to modern agriculture.

This legislation addresses critical infrastructure gaps in rural broadband by targeting farmland, ranchland, and production sites that existing programs often overlook. In regions like California’s San Joaquin Valley, where agriculture is the backbone of the economy, the bill would empower farmers with tools to increase efficiency, stay competitive, and access essential online services. 

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