The Future of American Farming Demands Broadband

How can we deliver the broadband that farmers need? To many farmers, the definition of sustainability incorporates the economic, environmental, and social impacts of agriculture—a “triple bottom line.” Farmers think about the profitability of their operations, not just to sustain the farm from year to year but from generation to generation. Practices that make a small difference in profit margin can have a major impact over the long term. Farmers also consider how to maintain and improve the environmental conditions of their land, such as soil health, long into the future. And finally, the practices of farmers can affect the entire surrounding community, from the employees who work for the farm to the neighbors who live down the road. These pillars are all interdependent. Americans are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of what they buy: nearly 8 in 10 say that sustainability is important to them, and nearly 60 percent of consumers are willing to change their shopping habits to reduce environmental impact. As environmentally conscious consumers demand more, farmer decisions must be both financially and environmentally sustainable. Broadband access is central to sustainability because connected technologies allow farmers to measure their inputs and outputs, creating opportunities for smarter, more efficient resource management. The adoption of precision agriculture technology has powerful benefits, both for farmers’ profitability and for their environmental impact.