rural broadband

U.S. Department of Agriculture announced nearly $700 million in grants and loans to connect thousands of rural residents, farmers and business owners in 22 states and the Marshall Islands to reliable, affordable high-speed internet through the ReConnect Program.

Oregon is expected to get between $400 million and $1 billion dollars from the federal government over several years to expand broadband access.  Secretary of State Shemia Fagan said an audit of the Oregon Broadband Office finds it needs funding to add staff, to administer and distribute the funds.   “...

The Senate’s $1.7 trillion spending bill to finish this fiscal year boosts agricultural research, rural development, and nutrition, but doesn’t include long-fought cattle market reforms.  The more than 4,000-page bill leaves out controversial legislation sought by Senator Chuck Grassley to force some cattle price negotiating by major packers, known as the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Ac

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 she called a huge improvement from the census block level data that was used.  She add...

Ag Research was the Farm Bill title before the Senate Ag Committee this week, as USDA and other witnesses testified on the need to fund cutting-edge Ag research, the power behind modern, high-tech agriculture.  USDA research chief Chavonda Jacobs-Young told lawmakers research in need of funding has largely been ignored over the past couple of Farm Bills.   “...

Despite fraternal organizations nationwide struggling to gain and retain members, the National Grange says it is bucking that trend.  During the organization’s 156th Annual Convention in Sparks, NV, last month, Betsy Huber, President of the Grange announced membership grew more than 3% between July 2021 and June 2022, despite pressures from the pandemic.   Huber ...

USDA’s Rural Development undersecretary faced numerous complaints from rural U.S. Senators about complicated grant applications, office staffing, and broadband grant duplication at a recent Farm Bill hearing.  Xochitl Torres Small defended her agency’s handling of its many functions, calling most criticisms the result of having to balance costs and fairness.  But she did agree t...

Without a reliable digital connection, American farmers cannot fully embrace the new tools and technologies allowing producers to meet the needs and demands of tomorrow, according to the Association of Equipment Manufactures.  The organization said now is the time for lawmakers, organizations, and other to come together to close the connectivity gap that exists across much of rural America.  Curt

University of Idaho Extension is out with a new program that the school said will prepare Idahoans and communities to take advantage of the digital economy and the opportunities that will be available.   “As all of this effort to expand broadband across the state is happening, how do we make sure that our communities are ready to fully take advantage of that?" said Amb...

In the 1930’s the federal government brought electric power to all of rural America today the mission is to bring high speed Internet access to everybody in rural areas.   “It's one of the many ways we're ensuring that folks no matter where they live have a shot at success by having access to high-speed Internet,” said Agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack last week after announcing additional funding