Conference: AgWireless 2026: Accelerating Concerted 6G, AgTech and Multi-Use Innovation

Agriculture serves as an important industry vertical and a proving ground for 6G capabilities such as integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI) and communications, non-terrestrial networks, dynamic spectrum sharing, and hyper-reliable, low-latency communications. Toward addressing the grand challenge of rural broadband of “Connecting the Unconnected” while advancing the frontier of far-edge 6G, this project will organize the “2026 Ag Wireless Week (AgWireless’26)” to help accelerate concerted 6G, AgTech, and multi-use research and technology innovations that will advance U.S. leadership in NextG mobile networking, AI and application industries. The project will engage academia, industry, and end-user communities to nurture collaborations across NextG research, development, and adoption lifecycles. It will help align programs across federal agencies, industry, and academia to best drive NextG research and innovation, transforming ag- and rural-connectivity from a dire challenge to a great opportunity for NextG ecosystem building and technology leadership. AgWireless’26 will feature three main programs: (1) “NSF Workshop on Ag-Inspired & Rural Broadband NextG Research, Innovation and Partnerships” will consist of keynotes, panels, breakout sessions, as well as National Science Foundation (NSF) funded Agriculture and Rural Communities (ARA) living lab-based demos and field trips, focusing on developing a shared vision for high-priority initiatives toward establishing U.S. leadership in 6G, rural connectivity and applications in AI, AgTech, and synergistic multi-use sectors such as defense and transportation; (2) “Demo and Exhibit at Farm Progress Show” will focus on showcasing NextG research and innovation and developing partnerships with communities represented by the 150,000+ participants of the Farm Progress Show; and (3) “ARA User Program” will focus on highlighting ARA community use, training new users, and fostering collaboration among ARA user communities through hackathons and action cluster activities. Additionally, AgWireless'26 will also provide unique learning opportunities for students and early-career researchers. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.