TECHNOLOGY
Bridging the digital divide
Farmers, students, rural small businesses need broadband By Erica Quinlan
AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS
WASHINGTON — Now more than ever, rural America needs access to the internet. A panel of farmers, businessmen, educators and other experts spoke up about the topic during a webinar June 9. “Farmers having the availability to utilize technology and use it to its greatest potential is going to have a significant impact moving forward,” said RJ Karney, director of congressional relations for the American Farm Bureau Federation. “We’re talking about things like soil health, plant health, being able to monitor your livestock and cattle to help with the animal. There’s great potential here when discussing broadband and precision agriculture.” Karney also noted Congress took commendable action to fix faulty broadband mapping data earlier this year and now must provide the Federal Communications Commission the funding needed to implement those changes. Inaccurate maps have been one of the greatest hurdles in getting broadband funding to areas that need it most, Karney said. The digital divide affects more than just farmers. Education and health care are taking a hit, as well. “It just hurts me to see that education for many students in this country In the town of Council Grove, Kansas, Tri-County Telephone Association brings broadband service to businesses and homes.
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“Protecting Your Investment In Farmland” SM
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815-872-FARM (3276) SM-PR1787945
Shaw Media/June 2020
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