Bonham – Giving all communities equal access to broadband Internet services will be key to the future success of rural areas in Fannin County, Fannin County Farm Bureau President Jerry Magness said.

“Many farmers and ranchers have no other option but dial up access when it comes to Internet services, which requires a lot of time to download very little,” Magness said. “That limits what we can do—our access to government resources, our service by medical providers, even what homework projects our children can accomplish.”

But progress is being made. Lawmakers approved the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 which will require the establishment of a broadband plan for rural America by Feb.17 2010. Farm Bureau is actively working to assist in the development of such a plan.

The Farm Bureau is working with lawmakers to stress the importance of affordable broadband access in order to keep American agriculture competitive worldwide.

“Fifty years ago, many rural areas of our state still didn’t even have electricity,” Magness said. “We face the same problem today with a different utility. But by working together, we can make broadband Internet access and the opportunities it can afford a reality for all parts of our state.”