Tom J Bechman
BROADBAND ESSENTIAL: This office could be in a city, but it’s on a farm in rural Indiana. It needs high-speed internet just like a downtown office. Indiana Farm Bureau survey confirms rural broadband still needs a big boost.
Apr 19, 2021
Hoosiers living in rural Indiana believe well-functioning broadband service is a necessity today. And they want gaps in coverage addressed now. Those were the findings of a recent survey of 975 Indiana Farm Bureau members.
We couldn’t agree more. We live 25 miles from downtown Indianapolis, yet rely on an antiquated cell service for internet.
In the INFB survey, 97% said having reliable, high-speed broadband was either important or extremely important to their future and the future of rural Indiana. The statewide survey included Hoosiers in every county. Here are the most striking findings from the respondents:
Farmer and rancher delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 102nd Annual Convention today adopted policies to guide the organization’s work in 2021. Key topics ranged from farm diversity to farm labor and dairy policy…
Farm Bureau Establishes 2021 Policies
Tuesday Jan 19th, 2021 Farmer and rancher delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 102nd Annual Convention today adopted policies to guide the organization’s work in 2021. Key topics ranged from farm diversity to farm labor and dairy policy to livestock marketing. For the first time in AFBF history, delegates met and voted virtually due to COVID-19.
“Our Farm Bureau delegates showed that no challenge, not even a pandemic, will keep them from working to improve the lives of America’s farmers and ranchers,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Their work not only sets policy for 2021, it will also serve as a guide for AFBF as we prepare to work with a new president and a new Congress to ensure we continue to lead the world in producing healthy and safe food, fiber and fuel.”
nd vice president of Indiana Farm Bureau and will succeed Sherry Saylor of Arizona.
“It’s a responsibility and challenge that I both look forward to and have been a bit hesitant of, only because there are big shoes to fill,” Chism said. “Sherry is a different type of leader than I am and will be and I believe that that’s the way it should be, but that gives you a little bit of hesitation as you’re looking ahead, but I am excited for what’s ahead of us.”
The Women’s Leadership program provides women with leadership training, communication skills and networking opportunities to, among other things, build trust in American agriculture. Chism thinks the work of Farm Bureau and her committee is paying dividends.
Indiana Farm Bureau was presented with a New Horizon Award in the best new program category by the American Farm Bureau Federation at the AFBF Convention, which is being held virtually through January 13.
The New Horizon Award is presented to state Farm Bureaus with the most innovative programs, and to recognize excellence in the implementation of outstanding member programs and membership achievements.
According to AFBF, the New Horizon Award was presented to INFB for its incredible effort to offer health care plans as member benefits and to offer members and their families with better health care options at affordable prices. AFBF noted that in order to offer the health plans, INFB had to ask the Indiana State Legislature to change state law.