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Rural Americans send a message to federal lawmakers on the need for increased access to high-speed broadband
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Should I guess of people from a rural -- across the United States in Washington DC today lobbying for better roll -- the connections in the those rural -- -- rural -- -- joined now by just Peterson who is executive vice president of the United States cattlemen's association.
And the -- Radke editor of beef from magazine and writes the -- daily blog -- -- -- -- great to have you with us.
Great to be here -- I had an opportunity just let me come to you first well why is why why do you need more roll -- that in rural America.
What's this about.
Well as very simply look at the fact that you have a recent study says over 248%.
Nearly 1617.
Million.
Folks in rural America do not have access to high speed broadband Internet and you'd be amazed at what all rule America notably here in agriculture sector what we can rely on high speed Internet.
What we can do with -- for -- right now you can go to L lay auctions dot com.
Cattle USA dot com and cattle live cattle sales are taking place right now in with the commodities where there on the commodity prices in the ups and downs.
Our ability to get this real time information our ability to see -- market and is very very valuable for us is ranchers in -- producers in the fact that we do not have access to high speed Internet.
Is is is is something that we are working so hard this week to raise awareness and visibility around so -- this is.
Is -- an issue of economics your industry works bad if you can get better access to high speed.
Internet connection.
Just.
Absolutely as a cattle rancher from South Dakota we use it.
High -- daily basis -- market exceeds soccer balls and -- first how -- -- YouTube videos actually take videos of our cattle.
I'm an addition and in our rural America has the backbone of this economy like you said it comes on economics and if we're not able to connect can get online and go -- do our business and our marketing and understand what's going on and grain prices and and the cattle market so I really slows us down and so we're just looking for awareness.
And I getting people understand that -- ride band is that real issue -- rural America.
So I guess this is a question all of the the cable provider is the Internet providers not get not doing enough for rural America.
Well I think that they were they will do more and we're very pleased -- so -- and divisive issues obviously taken place in Washington in this is really excited to rally around one.
Positive issued -- -- Democrats Republicans and everyone can agree on the president recently stated the state of the union that you know 98% of -- motor America connected to high speed Internet access and and we know that He -- members of congress both sides of the aisle they're looking to support initiatives.
What we're trying to do is raise awareness about that need we -- America just -- Amanda reference we utilizes this is a tool.
We can help drive this economy grow this economy.
If we don't have that access so I think a big part about it is.
They need to realize -- that private investment the private.
Public about partnerships are gonna make this to take place that needs to move followed and we want to make sure create awareness for that but I'm Linda you essentially.
Asking politicians.
To tell the cable provide as the Internet providers want to do how to run their businesses to get more connectivity out to rural America.
Absolutely not I just think it's important to create that awareness of the issues we face for example of berries and I'm able to -- -- production.
I which is very challenging for young producer these days is I'm also -- writer -- for beef magazine -- common as a result.
I had daily newsletter -- deadlines I have to me.
I -- -- and I just cannot let the children's book called me back lost -- and I had to drive seventy miles to get for a G access in order to have.
Fast enough Internet connection -- the -- a large illustration files to my publisher.
On many occasions throughout the week have to drive twelve miles -- -- -- -- local coffee shop in order to make my daily deadlines and this is a challenge for me it's time wasted and -- time in the cattle business is everything we have chores and and things to do outside as well but sealed the deal Larry our business online.
And a quick and efficient manner as is truly something that impacts my every day life.
And got yes indeed this will help the American economy overall if we get better connectivity out in rural times.
-- absolutely I mean we're gonna make trips and it's counted as -- those are long trips and you're gonna have to make those from time to time but.
It's it's it's the every day things you can purchase on want to I don't think the urban folks realize how much purchasing power we in rural America half so it's -- that piece.
It's also how we market our products get better educated and an even takes a step further and -- -- teachers are part of this movement here this week.
Along with some of the small businesses and whatnot as you know you look at the online education component as a student leaves a small rural school goes home.
Their ability to get online means that they can do additional produce additional homework and it allows -- to be better.
Educators they get ready for the new the next phase of job force.
All right just Peterson executive director executive vice president's -- Of the United States cattlemen's association and Amanda -- -- editor of -- magazine thank you both for being with us and -- thank you for bringing a fabulous -- along with -- Great to see about.
I didn't -- my hair -- had to do.
All right -- let's take it.
