FAQ – ONE RED Ag Data Bank & Grants Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Program Basics

What is the ONE RED Ag Data Bank & Grants Program?

The ONE RED Ag Data Bank & Grants Program is a voluntary Nebraska program that combines a secure Ag Data Bank with potential payments, grant opportunities, and support from Approved Service Providers. It is designed around eligible fields, participating acres, qualifying practices, equipment, and technology.
What is the ONE RED Ag Data Bank?

The Ag Data Bank is the secure Nebraska-specific part of the program where eligible farmers submit required information for participating fields through an Approved Service Provider. The information supports participation, payment calculations, grant verification, and approved reporting. Farmers retain ownership of their data.
What is the ONE RED Grants Program?

The Grants Program provides eligible Data Bank participants with opportunities to seek reimbursement or incentives for approved nitrogen and water management, soil health practices, equipment, technology, models, sensors, subscriptions, and related tools. Current examples include telemetry, water meters, moisture technology, automated irrigation, real-time nitrogen management, and yield-mapping tools.
How do the Ag Data Bank and Grants Program work together?

Eligible farmers first enroll in the Ag Data Bank and provide required information. Data Bank participants may then apply for grants or additional incentives, depending on crop, field, practice, location, documentation, available funding, and final program rules.
Why is ONE RED collecting farm data?
What opportunities are included in current program materials?

The ONE RED Ag Data Bank & Grants Program includes four primary opportunity areas: Ag Data Bank participation payments, corn nitrogen-management incentives, soil health incentives for qualifying reduced tillage or ground cover, and reimbursement grants for approved nitrogen- and water-management equipment or technology. All amounts, definitions, and limits remain subject to final rules.
Why should I participate in ONE RED?

The ONE RED Ag Data Bank & Grants Program is designed to help farmers improve farm value through potential payments, incentives, grants, operational improvements, and trusted local support. Benefits may include support for nitrogen and water management, access to approved equipment and technology opportunities, and potential financial incentives tied to eligible fields and participating acres.
Do I have to include all of my fields?
Is participation voluntary?

Eligibility and Timing

Who can participate?

Nebraska farmers growing corn, soybeans, sorghum, or canola and with a minimum of 80 eligible acres. Final year-one geographic, irrigation, and acreage requirements are still being reviewed and will be posted before enrollment opens.
Is there a maximum number of acres I can enroll?

Yes. Farmers may enroll up to 1,000 eligible acres, with a minimum of 80 eligible acres required for participation. Certain eligibility requirements related to irrigation status, field location, and selected opportunities may apply. Your Approved Service Provider (ASP) can help determine which eligible fields and participating acres qualify.
What crops are eligible?
What if I rotate crops?

Eligibility is evaluated by crop and field for the applicable growing season. Soybeans, canola, and sorghum do not qualify for the corn nitrogen-use-efficiency incentive, but the same acres may still be eligible for approved soil health or equipment and technology opportunities.
When will enrollment open?
How long does the program last?
What are the program commitments?
Is there a deadline to join?
What happens after I tell you I am interested?
Does joining the interest list commit me to participate?
Does joining the interest list guarantee funding?
What is an Approved Service Provider (ASP)?
Can I select my preferred ASP?
Will my preferred ASP contact me?
What is required to enroll in the Ag Data Bank?

A ONE RED Ag Data Bank application, a combined W-9, and ACH form, and a signed participation agreement, along with required farm and field information. Farm and field information includes field size and location; crop type; expected yield and prior-season yield; farmer and operator information; nitrogen amount, inhibitor use, and next-season plan; tillage, cover crops grazing; applied water; and manure applications where applicable. Soil nitrogen, soil organic matter, and nitrogen content in irrigation water may be optional or required for specific opportunities.
What is required to apply for a grant?

A grant application and soil, water, and manure samples from each participating field (when applicable). Samples should follow applicable NRD requirements; when none are established, a composite sample of at least 24 inches per field taken during the current or previous crop season. Quotes, receipts, and other documentation may also be needed for reimbursement-based grants.
How much time will participation take?
What support is available if I have limited internet access?

Payments, Incentives, and Grants

What funding may be available?

A $2,000 initial Data Bank payment, $1,000 for each additional year of data submitted through 2029 (up to $3,500 in Data Bank payments). In the Grants program, producers can receive up to $10,000 in grants plus a per acre bonus ($2 for dryland and $5 for irrigated acres). If there are at least 80 irrigated acres, producers receive an additional $3,000 to use in the Grants Program for water management.
How are payments made?

Some incentives are expected to be paid after required participation or data submission is verified. Equipment and technology grants are reimbursement-based, meaning the farmer pays and is reimbursed after required documentation and review. Approval must be confirmed.
What equipment or technology may be eligible?

Eligible items generally include tools and systems that improve water efficiency, soil health, and data driven farm management. Irrigation technology such as flow meters, pivot control systems, water measurement devices, and variable rate irrigation equipment may qualify. Precision agriculture equipment like GPS guidance systems, variable rate controllers, and data collection sensors is eligible. Remote monitoring systems, including soil moisture sensors, weather stations, and crop monitoring cameras, may also be supported. Farm management software, including platforms for recordkeeping, irrigation scheduling, and data analysis, may be included as well.
What nitrogen management incentives may be available?

Corn farmers may be eligible for nitrogen-management incentives by improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) or meeting program performance targets. Current program materials include a potential incentive of $15 per acre for qualifying results. Final eligibility requirements, documentation standards, payment rates, and calculation methods will be published before enrollment opens.
What is nitrogen use efficiency (NUE)?
How can applied water be calculated?
Can ONE RED be combined with other programs?

State and local programs are generally expected to be compatible with ONE RED. Some federal programs may also be combined, but farmers should check with each program provider. Other federal, state, or local cost shares should be applied first. ONE RED reimbursement will be based on actual eligible costs.

Data Ownership and Privacy

Do I retain ownership of my data?

Yes. You retain ownership and control of your data. Participating in ONE RED does not transfer ownership to the program, the state, or your ASP.
Who can access my information?

Access is limited by role.

You can access your own information.

Your ASP can access the information needed to assist you.

Authorized platform and program users can access information needed to administer, verify, audit, or support the program.

Financial information is handled separately.
Will my farm data be shared publicly or with other agencies?

Identifiable farm-level operational data will not be used in public reporting. Program design uses aggregated and de-identified information for grant-compliance and public reporting purposes. Individual information would be shared for another approved purpose only with consent or when required by law.
What can the state see?
How is my data protected?

The system uses encryption, role-based access, authentication, monitoring, and audit logs. Access to individual information is limited to authorized users who need it to administer or support the program, and financial information is separated from farm operational data.
Will ONE RED sell my data?
Can I use my data in another program or market?
Will my ASP see my financial information?
What happens to my data after the program ends?

Individual program data will be stored securely for three years after the program ends to meet audit and reporting requirements. After that period, individual farm data will be deleted unless you consent to transfer or share it. Aggregated and de-identified data may be retained for reporting, evaluation, research, and future program improvement.

Updates, Events, and Help

Where can I find program updates and deadlines?

This website will be the primary source for program updates, enrollment dates, events, FAQs, and resources. Farmers who join the interest list may also receive email or text updates based on the contact permissions they provide.
Who should I contact with questions?
I sell agricultural equipment or technology. How can I be considered?

ONE RED Ag Data Bank & Grants Program

Program details, eligibility, and funding are subject to final approval and available funding.
This website will be updated as rules and enrollment dates are confirmed.