Three in Five Farmers Struggle With Poor Connectivity

ST. LOUIS, MO – What happens when you need to work, but you’re missing the tools for the job? According to a new study commissioned by the United Soybean Board (USB), 60 percent of American farmers are finding out every day. The study “Rural Broadband and the American Farmer”, is sounding the alarm that a majority of producers do not have enough connectivity to run their businesses. Using data from the USDA’s Economic Research Service, if farming contributes nearly $133 billion of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), then the lack of connectivity negatively impacts farmers who contribute approximately $80 billion in GDP. Other significant findings include the fact that 78 percent of farmers do not have a choice in internet service providers; 60 percent say their internet service is slow, with most relying on cell signals or hotspots to connect to the internet, and; 40 percent deal with fixed internet or satellite connections. Improving rural broadband has been a goal for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as the Chairman Ajit Pai hails from rural Parsons, KS and understands the challenges first-hand. USDA is also in the thick of the battle, recently awarding millions of dollars to help rural communities improve their high-speed access. A major challenge at this time, however, is the lack of knowledge by rural community leaders about the available assistance and/or the lack of awareness that a problem exists and can be fixed.