Farmers, ranchers, and broadband providers will soon advise the FCC on policy changes to connect agricultural land. That’s because the agency has formed a new task force on the issue so agriculture producers can use and benefit from precision agriculture.
The task force stems from the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018.
The group will work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop policy recommendations to promote the rapid, expanded deployment
of broadband internet access service on unserved agricultural land.
“As I’ve traveled the country, I’ve seen the amazing efficiencies, innovations, and improvements that high-speed internet brings to today’s farms and ranches,” said Chairman Pai. “I’ve met the operator of a Kansas feedlot using fiber and wireless connectivity to monitor every cow’s unique in-take. I’ve met an Idaho farmer using everything from an LTE-based soil analysis app to drones to improve productivity and reduce costs on his potato farm. This is the present and the future of American agriculture, and we must do whatever we can to support these producers and enhance precision agriculture.”
Formally called the Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States, the Commission is seeking nominations for participation on this 15-member task force that will include agricultural producers, along with representatives of Tribal agriculture, internet service providers, and the electric cooperative industry. Members will also represent the satellite industry, precision agriculture equipment manufacturers, state and local governments, and representatives with relevant expertise in broadband network data collection, geospatial analysis, and coverage mapping.
Read the obligations and application procedures here. Nominations are due by July 17 via email to: PrecisionAgTF@fcc.gov.
June 18, 2019
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