Even in this digital age, not all U.S. farmers are able to use the internet in their operations. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. While it may seem like everyone is always online these days, nearly a quarter of U.S. farmers don’t have internet access. That’s according to the latest Census of Agriculture data, which shows the biggest …
Funding Available for Rural Broadband
An unprecedented amount of federal funding is available to expand broadband connectivity across rural America. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Rick Cimerman is vice president of state affairs for NCTA – The Internet and Television Association. He says federal investments can be used most wisely to help close the digital divide that still exists. “I think there …
Industry Reps to House Ag: USDA Should Handle Rural Broadband
by Sabrina Halvorson Six representatives from the broadband and satellite industries testified at a House Agriculture Committee hearing Wednesday on the digital divide, or the lack of some digital services in rural America. Committee Ranking Member, Representative David Scott of Georgia, asked the witnesses if USDA was the right agency to handle the issue of rural broadband. “They know rural …
Groups Speaking Up on Barriers to Rural Broadband Expansion
Taking on barriers to rural broadband expansion – that’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Rural lawmakers are ramping up congressional oversight of federal broadband expansion efforts. In response, rural broadband advocates, farm groups, and telecom experts are speaking up on overcoming key barriers to successfully closing the digital divide. Director of innovation policy for the International Center for …
AFBF Says Check Rural Broadband Map
The American Farm Bureau Federation encourages rural residents to verify the accuracy of the FCC’s National Broadband Map. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Federal Communications Commission released the National Broadband Map in November. Emily Buckman, American Farm Bureau Federation Government Affairs Director, says the new map displays specific location-level information regarding broadband services availability. “Which is …
USDA Invests Another $759 Million in Rural Broadband
USDA is giving another boost to rural broadband. “We’re building a better America by ensuring our investments reach everyone, including our rural and underserved communities,” said White House Senior Advisor and Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu during a call with reporters. “Rural communities are the backbone of our nation but for too long they have been left behind and they have …
Applications Open for Rural High-Speed Internet Program
Helping households get high speed internet. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. USDA is accepting applications for the ReConnect Program loans and grants to expand access to high-speed internet. The agency is making over $1 billion available for the program, a critical piece of the effort to connect every American to affordable and reliable high-speed internet. Congress approved …
New Push for Rural Broadband
Another push to expand rural broadband access. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. There’s another attempt to increase rural access to broadband. Senators Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Joni Ernst of Iowa reintroduced bipartisan legislation to protect and expand access to high-speed internet in rural communities and encourage rural broadband investment. The Access to Capital Creates Economic Strength …
FBI Warns Ag Cooperatives about Possible Cyberattacks
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s cyber division is warning agricultural cooperatives across the country to be wary of possible cyberattacks. The division wants cooperatives to take all possible precautions to keep their operations safe. The FBI says ransomware attacks typically happen on ag cooperatives during the critical planting and harvest seasons. The attackers hope to disrupt operations, cause financial loss, …
Florida Senate Backs Effort to Expand Broadband?
The Florida Senate on Thursday (Mar. 3, 2022) unanimously passed a proposal that would create a framework to help expand broadband into underserved areas. Linked bills (SB 1800 and SB 1802), sponsored by Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, would establish a program to replace poles to help extend broadband. Sen. Loranne Ausley, a Tallahassee Democrat whose district includes sprawling rural areas, …
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