Not everyone is happy with the way USDA’s Rural Development office is doling out rural broadband loans. According to a story on C/net yesterday, the department is being sued by Mediacom Communications, the same company supplying us with our high speed access. Apparently a competitor (Lisco) in Fairfield, IA received a low interest loan to develop a system in a community that already has 2 other providers.
Webby’s Go To Aggy’s
They are called the “Oscars of the Internet,” and two ag groups have won one. They are the 10th Annual Webby Awards.
More Rural Broadband Development
Here’s an example of what USDA is doing to help improve rural broadband internet access. The Rural Development Broadband Access Loan program is providing the funds. USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development, Tom Dorr had this to say. “Broadband can help to put rural communities on a level playing field when competing with bigger cities for new residents and businesses,” said Dorr. “When people can live in smaller communities that have a higher quality of life and still compete globally, that presents a great opportunity for rural America.”
Webby Award Nominees Are Aggy
Perhaps you’ve heard of the Boneless Pig Farmers Association. Perhaps not. However, their website has been nominated for a Webby Award in the Weird category. I can’t imagine why. You’ll have to visit their site to understand. Hint: It’s all about McDonalds.
Double Digit Growth For Internet Use/Access
Internet use in America just continues to skyrocket. The latest Pew Internet & American Life Project report shows that 73 % of adults are online. That’s double digit growth from a year ago and the same holds true for broadband access. What does this mean for agricultural communications?
Nominate Your Favorite Red Meat Exec
Who’s your favorite red meat industry executive? You might want to nominate him/her for the 8th annual Richard L. Knowlton Innovation Award. This award is given by Meatingplace and honors executives of the red meat industry who demonstrate exceptional business leadership, product or process innovation and overall exemplary corporate citizenship.
Protect That IP Today
Every day has to be some sort of “day” anymore. Today it’s World Intellectual Property Day according to the World Intellectual Property Organization. Here’s what their Director General, Kamil Idris, says, “World Intellectual Property Day is an opportunity to encourage people to think about the role played by intellectual property in everyday life, and about its importance in stimulating and safeguarding innovation and creativity.” They’ve even got a 30 sec video clip you can watch here (WMV file).
Get Mobile Farm Info Quickly
The keynote speaker at the recent NAMA Conference says the future is in wireless information delivery. It looks like Quickfarm agrees with him. They’ve just announced their new mobile service that allows producers with Web-enabled mobile phones or PDAs to access timely production information.
More Rural Broadband Loans Announced
High speed internet access in the countryside just keeps growing and USDA’s rural development assistance program is helping make that happen once again. This time three loans totaling $43.7 million were announced to provide broadband service to an estimated 41,000 rural households and businesses in four states. I would have to believe that some of those folks are farmer wouldn’t you?
Ag Media Summit Seminar
It’s not too early to think about the Agricultural Media Summit in Portland, OR, July 23 – 26. Not much on the website yet but it’ll be there soon.