I was very excited today to see this letter from the Center for Rural Affairs to presumptive Ag. Sec. Tom Vilsack.
I can get behind every point…but was especially excited to see this under point No. 1:
We also need your leadership in developing a plan to get affordable high-speed internet service to every rural business and home. It’s essential to entrepreneurship.
The CFRA notes this in support of its high-speed Internet position:
The federal government stepped in to provide rural America access to mail, phone and electrical service so we could truly be part of America. In the 21st century, high-speed internet service is just as essential. Bring in the best experts to help you select the most promising approach among an array of emerging technologies. Money won’t solve the problem if you don’t have the right strategy.
VFG agrees 100% (and not just because I want more blog readers) and will sign the letter here.
The other points are detailed in the letter, but here’s a heading list:
1. Support grassroots entrepreneurship
2. Ensure that renewable energy builds wealth and opportunity in rural America
3. Make federal policy work for family-size farms
4. Embrace land and water stewardship and use it to create economic opportunity
5. Harness the power of research to create a better rural future
I encourage you to read the letter and sign on too, even if you’re an urbanite. A successful urban America depends on a successful rural America.
Virtual Farmgirl 
That would be wonderful if everyone that lives in the country could get high speed. I suffered with very slow dial-up for years and we were finally able to get high speed, but since we are “too far out” for DSL we had to go the satellite route and in order to get a good enough signal since our house is in a bit of a dip at the bottom of a hill we had to put a 40′ tower up the hill in the west pasture then dig a drench back down about 400′ to the house for the cable. It was a lot of effort, but worth it because, wow, what a difference! Farmers shouldn’t have to go through that just to get high speed, DSL should be available anywhere phones are. Great blog by the way! I have enjoyed reading it this evening.
LikeLike
I too have Satellite for 2 years now, and it is not that fast. I have heard that other countries have faster cheaper.But my really comment is on Tom, our new USDA guy. A real reformer that one. I sure hope he gets replaced soon. This is the guy that called people who pay more to eat organic food “Stupid” last year. Remember him? The OCA (Organic Consumers Association web page has several write ups on him).
LikeLike
That would be wonderful if everyone that lives in the country could get high speed. I suffered with very slow dial-up for years and we were finally able to get high speed, but since we are “too far out” for DSL we had to go the satellite route and in order to get a good enough signal since our house is in a bit of a dip at the bottom of a hill we had to put a 40′ tower up the hill in the west pasture then dig a drench back down about 400′ to the house for the cable. It was a lot of effort, but worth it because, wow, what a difference! Farmers shouldn’t have to go through that just to get high speed, DSL should be available anywhere phones are. Great blog by the way! I have enjoyed reading it this evening.
LikeLike
I too have Satellite for 2 years now, and it is not that fast. I have heard that other countries have faster cheaper.But my really comment is on Tom, our new USDA guy. A real reformer that one. I sure hope he gets replaced soon. This is the guy that called people who pay more to eat organic food “Stupid” last year. Remember him? The OCA (Organic Consumers Association web page has several write ups on him).
LikeLike