Speaking of New York. There’s an interesting story in the New York Times (requires free registration) about rural wireless internet access titled “Money Is There to Aid Rural Internet, but Loans Are Hard to Get.” I’ve reported before on the USDA Rural Development program that provides loans to companies that want to install and bring more broadband access to rural Americans (farmers). This article quotes some folks who aren’t happy with the pace at which USDA is granting the loans, the requirements for getting a loan and with the amount of money they’ve given away so far.
However, it does quote representatives of USDA and companies that have benefited from the program. It appears to me that USDA is doing the best it can and is just trying to be careful with the money they have. Let’s face it. Whenever you depend on the government to do it for you you’re probably going to be disappointed and frustrated anyway.
The complainers aren’t happy at the loan applications that have been denied and that some traditional large companies have received the loans. I think this statement makes it pretty clear why USDA is being so careful and deliberate. “None of its telephone company borrowers have ever defaulted on a loan, though $30.4 million in loans for high-speed Internet access, or broadband, are in default now.”
We certainly need broadband out in the countryside but it’s getting there quickly. A couple that moved into rural Iowa and now can’t get broadband is the subject of the article. They claim to be in a dead space for the wireless access that’s closest to them. However, the article quotes a QWest representative as saying (the company is) “expected to have broadband in all Iowa telephone exchanges by the end of 2006.” I guess that they’ll just have to be patient for a little while longer.
This whole government loan program is part of President Bush’s initiative to have broadband access to all homes in America by the end of 2007. Keep that in mind as you plan your communications programs over the next 2 years!
Thanks to my good buddy Steve Mays for the heads up on this one.
Here’s a good reason to go to New York, althought you’ll have to wait until next summer. It’s the 
The 
A new crop has grown into 
Michael Berry has joined Osborn & Barr as an account coordinator. He will be putting his agricultural background to work for the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). Previously, he had been an account service intern for Osborn & Barr. Michael holds a bachelor of journalism with emphasis in advertising from the University of Missouri-Columbia. 
Osborn & Barr Communications has hired Julia Robbins as assistant account executive for public relations on the Gov-Link business, a team devoted to the outreach and education needs of government agencies. Previously, she was a public affairs specialist with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, where her responsibilities included communications plan development, media relations and press conferences.
Sarah Rebholz has been hired as account coordinator in contact relations working on the United Soybean Board account on strategic promotions and state outreach activities. She has a diverse base of communications experience, ranging from work with the National MS Society to Fox Sports Midwest and British American Business in London. Sarah received a bachelor of journalism in advertising from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Jessica Muehling has joined as computer graphics specialist for the agency’s Monsanto, Michelin and United Soybean Board accounts. Prior to joining Osborn & Barr, Jessica was a senior production artist at JWT Communications. A 2004 graduate of Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg with a bachelor of science in graphic design, Jessica received the Regents Scholarship and was on the Dean’s List throughout her academic career.
I just found out about this website ranking tool from 
Biotechnology continues to be an issue that generates a high level of passion among farm policy observers as well as citizen voters both internationally and domestically.
CornTalk is the week’y interview program of the Missouri Corn Growers Association. This week MCGA President, Terry Hilgedick, talks about how the ethanol industry has already surpassed next year’s Renewable Fuels Standard production quota. He describes how grower-owned ethanol plant production is increasing in Missouri and looks forward to next spring’s legislative session and Missouri Governor Matt Blunt’s pledge to support a statewide 10% ethanol/gas blend requirement.
When we hear about new websites it always gets our attention. Today, the 
A new web-based FAO information service launched today, “
Similarly, FAO’s new “
There’s a new entry into the world of e-delivered farm news and this time it’s Farm Journal Media’s 
I wonder if they include blogging in the 
Branecky grew up in rural Texas, the daughter of a vocational agricultural educator. She attended Clarendon College where she was on the 2001 National Junior Collegiate Champion Meats Judging Team and was honored as the 2002 Female Agricultural Student of the Year. Branecky is a December 2005 graduate of Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications.
Loutzenhiser grew up on his family’s cow-calf operation near Flagler, Colo., with responsibilities that included animal husbandry, range management and dryland farming. He served in various officer positions in FFA including Colorado State FFA President. Loutzenhiser is a December 2005 graduate of Colorado State University (CSU) as an Honors Scholar with a bachelor’s degree in animal science & ag business.