RFA Ethanol Podcast

Ayrstone Announces New Compact Product Line

Cindy Zimmerman

Since global COVID-19 pandemic has made having reliable and strong Internet access in homes and businesses, and across farms and ranches, Ayrstone is proud to introduce a new compact product line to make that easier. For over ten years, Ayrstone’s AyrMesh line of products has made it easy to have a wireless network covering the maximum area by placing the …

AgWired Precision, Internet, Precision Agriculture

Becoming an Influencer and Content Producer

Chuck Zimmerman

I remember the first time my conference name badge said “Influencer” instead of “Media.” It was the 2017 Bayer Future of Farming Dialogue in Germany. Basically, a social media influencer is someone who has established credibility in a specific industry, has access to a large audience in that industry, and has the tools and authenticity to attract followers and create …

Internet, Social Media, Social Networking

Announcing the new AyrMesh® Hub2x2

Chuck Zimmerman

While USDA is handing out grants and loans all over the country to help with rural broadband infrastructure you’ve got to work with what you have. If you’re on a farm or other type of rural property then I can personally recommend Ayrstone products. Ayrstone Productivity, headquartered in North Oaks, MN., just announced the availability of their AyrMesh Hub2X2. The …

Gadgets, Internet, Technology

Dominate With SEO Meets #GoldenMic

Chuck Zimmerman

One of the folks who stopped by the ZimmComm booth during the Agri-Marketing Conference Connection Point was Sam Romain, Dominate With SEO. Sam’s company is in the Minneapolis area but he has staff working remotely in various places around the country. His company started out working on search engine optimization but has been moving more into content creation. He says …

Audio, Internet, Marketing, NAMA

USDA Launches ReConnect Program

Cindy Zimmerman

USDA is offering up to $600 million in loans and grants to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America. Telecommunications companies, rural electric cooperatives and utilities, internet service providers and municipalities may apply for funding through USDA’s new ReConnect Program to connect rural areas that currently have insufficient broadband service. “High-speed internet e-Connectivity is a necessity, not an amenity, vital …

AFBF, AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Internet, USDA

ZimmCast on Ag Careers and Farm Wifi

Chuck Zimmerman

This week’s program includes two Golden ZimmComm Microphone interviews from #NAMA18 (Agri-Marketing Conference). Featured are Matt Wetterson, Kayla Portwood and Melissa Williams with GROWMARK. Matt talks about his responsibilities with GROWMARK and challenges and opportunities. Kayla and Melissa talk about Ag Careers and how important reaching out to young people who want to work in the industry is to GROWMARK. You’ll …

Audio, Education, Internet, NAMA, Technology, ZimmCast

Launch of E-Connectivity Listening Sessions

Chuck Zimmerman

This morning U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue provided opening remarks to a coalition of stakeholders to launch a series of regional listening sessions targeting the expansion of broadband access in rural America. You can watch the recording here or listen below. USDA has had programs for years to assist with local and regional broadband efforts but there is still …

Audio, Infrastructure, Internet, USDA

AEM Holds Rural Broadband Access Panel

Jamie Johansen

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) hosted Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey and representatives from equipment manufacturers John Deere and HammerHead Trenchless for a panel discussion on Capitol Hill on May 18th focused on the expansion of rural broadband access as part of lawmakers’ work this year on infrastructure. The event was in conjunction with Infrastructure Week 2017 and …

AEM, Ag Groups, Audio, Equipment, Infrastructure, Internet

More Internet on the Farm

Cindy Zimmerman

A new USDA-NASS report shows that internet access on the farm continues to grow. According to the Computer Usage and Ownership report, 70 percent of U.S. farms and ranches now have access to internet, up three percent from 2013. DSL remains the most popular method for accessing internet, accounting for 30 percent of all farms and ranches with internet access. …

Farming, Internet, USDA

Farmfest to Feature Minnesota’s 1st Rural Broadband Day

John Davis

Underscoring the need for high-speed broadband access for farmers and ranchers, this year’s Farmfest will feature Minnesota’s first Rural Broadband Day. This news release from Farm Bureau says the farm show’s opening on August 4 in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, makes the case to the public that with the rise of precision technology in agriculture, producers need the broadband to increase …

AFBF, Ag Groups, Internet