Survey Shows Increase in Farms with Internet Access

Dan High-Speed Internet/Broadband, Technology

We told you last week that usage of computers on the farm was up, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Their 2021 Farm Computer Usage and Ownership report is conducted every other year and it shows numbers have risen compared to 2019. Adam Peters with NASS discusses some of the trends indicated in the latest survey. Peters talks about the history, intent …

Farm Computer Usage is Climbing

Dan High-Speed Internet/Broadband, Technology

This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released their 2021 Farm Computer Usage and Ownership report. The report is conducted every other year and presents data on farm computer usage, including computer access, ownership or leasing, farm business use, and internet access. USDA findings show that 82 percent of farms reported having access to the internet and business telephone …

Rep. Scott Working to Bridge the Rural Divide

Dan High-Speed Internet/Broadband, Legislative, Technology

Last month, the U.S. House Agriculture Committee unanimously advanced a bipartisan bill that authorizes $43 billion to expand rural broadband service nationwide. The Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act would authorize $4.5 billion in annual funding, starting in fiscal year 2022. This has been a priority for Rep. David Scott (GA-13), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. He talks about the rural divide we …

2022 Farmers’ Almanac Released This Week

Dan Aquaculture, Beef, Cattle, Citrus, Crop Forecasts, Dairy, Drought, Environment, Field Crops, Irrigation, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Organic, Pollinators, Specialty Crops, Technology, Water, Weather

The 2022 Farmers’ Almanac hits store shelves this week and contains 184 pages of helpful tips, calendars, and guides to help you plan your year ahead. It also features weather forecasts for the next 16 months, plus useful advice on ways to take cues from nature to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Editor Pete Geiger states, “we encourage readers to …

USDA Invests $167 Million in High-Speed Broadband in 12 States

Dan High-Speed Internet/Broadband, Technology, USDA

Re-Connect Funding to Give 100,000 People Access to High-Speed Internet e-Connectivity (WASHINGTON, Aug. 11, 2021) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $167 million in 12 states to deploy broadband infrastructure (PDF, 360 KB) in rural areas without sufficient access to high-speed internet. “Generations ago, the federal government recognized that without affordable access to …

Scott on Lack of Reliable High-Speed Internet in Rural Areas

Dan High-Speed Internet/Broadband, Technology

For quite some time the issue concerning the lack of reliable high-speed internet in rural areas has been discussed. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has already invested dollars to provide broadband service in some rural areas, but there are still many that have no access. Rep. David Scott (GA-13), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, recently talked about his concerns with the lack …

Over $2.3 Million Invested in Small Business Innovation Research

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Technology, USDA-NIFA

Small businesses play a vital role in driving innovation and technology advancements, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is investing over $2.3 million in such projects through its Small Business Innovation Research program. As the program aims to encourage participation by women-owned and socially or economically disadvantaged small businesses, it can greatly benefit …

NRCS Florida State Technical Committee Meeting is Wednesday

Dan Education, Florida, Technology, USDA-NRCS

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants to remind landowners that they will conduct a State Technical Committee meeting Wednesday, March 3. This virtual conference will be chaired by Florida State Conservationist Juan Hernandez. He looks at some of the topics for this year’s meeting. The State Technical Committee is composed of individuals and groups from a variety …

University of Florida Focusing on AI

Dan Citrus, Technology

Researchers with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are working as teams to use artificial intelligence (AI) to attack complex issues. An example of such teamwork is Arnold Schumann, a professor at the Citrus Research and Education Center, working with weed scientist Nathan Boyd at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. They use machine …

USDA Invests $4.6 Million in High-Speed Broadband in Rural Georgia

Dan Georgia, Industry News Release, Technology, USDA

ReConnect Funding to Connect 1,326 Rural Georgia Households to High-Speed Internet e-Connectivity (USDA) — The Trump Administration announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $4.6 million to provide broadband service in unserved and underserved rural areas in Georgia. This investment is part of the $550 million Congress allocated to the second round of the ReConnect Program. “The …