YOUR TEXAS AGRICULTURE MINUTE

Rural America still needs broadband

By Gene Hall

Remember when you got your first broadband Internet connection and left the clunking, shrieking sounds of dialup behind? It was so cool to see those images pop up instantaneously.

Unfortunately, this moment has not yet happened for many rural citizens.

Once considered a luxury, broadband is now essential. It’s vital information, education, marketing, security and other important parts of daily life. The Internet is about connecting with virtually everything.

Thirty-nine percent of rural households are still without broadband, compared to four percent in the city. That’s unacceptable for modern farmers and their rural communities.

Broadband allows farmers to be more sustainable and efficient with the latest technology.

Congress has provided $600 million in funding for USDA’s new e-Connectivity Pilot Program. The Farm Bill includes a Precision Agriculture Connectivity provision.

These are positive steps. It’s time to bridge the digital divide.

The preceding commentary is brought to you by Texas Farm Bureau, the “Voice of Texas Agriculture.” Called “Your Texas Agriculture Minute,” TFB will issue thought-provoking editorials each week—via print and audio—to spark understanding of agriculture in the Lone Star State and its impact on each and every Texan.

You may read this week’s editorial above or listen to the audio version.

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