06.17.19

Hoeven Statement on New Precision Agriculture Task Force to Connect American Farmers

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today issued the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the formation of a task force to help ensure farmers and ranchers have the connectivity necessary to utilize precision agriculture. The Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture, in consultation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), will develop policy recommendations to promote broadband internet access to unserved, agricultural land. The task force was created as part of the 2018 Farm Bill.

“The 2018 Farm Bill established this task force to help ensure farm country has the broadband connectivity necessary to enhance precision agriculture,” said Hoeven. “With North Dakota’s leadership in agriculture and our growing technology sector, this will be helpful as we continue to lead the way in precision ag technologies. Connecting the most rural parts of our state and country will help provide our farmers opportunities to compete through innovation and efficiency.” 

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