The NTCA - Rural Broadband Association has recently released a study: FROM FIBER TO FIELD: THE ROLE OF RURAL BROADBAND IN EMERGING AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY.  Joshua Seidemann, the report’s author, documents the importance of internet connectivity on farms.  The report was “teased” in two website articles. The first article and second article.   The full report can be found on the NTCA website.  The following is the text of the Abstract found in the report:

The use of broadband and other advanced technology in agriculture is increasing. These applications enable users to obtain greater input efficiencies and yields while mitigating potential climate impacts and carbon footprints. Agricultural technology, or ag tech, can be deployed for crops and animal farming. As technology advances and prices decrease, ag tech adoption is anticipated to increase. Cloud-based and other ag tech systems rely upon secure and robust fixed and mobile broadband connections. Broadband availability in rural agricultural regions will be necessary to maintain domestic and international competitiveness and production capabilities. This paper provides an overview of agricultural markets and technology in the United States and demonstrates the imperative to deploy, develop and maintain broadband connectivity in rural U.S. agricultural regions.

Seidemann is the latest to express what is already known.  When farmers have access to resources, in this case, broadband connectivity, they innovate and create better ways to meet the food and fiber demands of the world.

Visit the Broadband Resources page for information and ways to take action on broadband issues.

View Broadband News to see broadband information related to N.C. Cooperative Extension. 

Please contact Kenny Sherin if you have questions or want to share resources.