[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 113 (Wednesday, July 13, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H4827]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           PRECISION FARMING

  (Ms. STEFANIK asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, despite the Internet being an integral 
part of modern American life, there are still many rural farmers across 
our Nation who do not have access to this essential tool.
  The Internet has the power to revolutionize the agriculture sector, 
and North Country farmers have shared with me various ways that 
increased broadband access could provide them with opportunities for 
innovation and improved agribusiness. For instance, a dairy farmer from 
Potsdam who spoke with my office uses broadband to automate feeding 
plans for his cows.
  To support our North Country farmers, I will be introducing the 
Precision Farming Act of 2016. This legislation will encourage the 
construction of rural broadband connections to farms by allowing 
providers to receive reimbursements for the costs related to 
construction. Furthermore, this legislation would put our Nation's 
farmers first by prioritizing their loan applications for additional 
construction.
  To compete in a 21st century economy, our farmers must have access to 
broadband technology. I urge my colleagues to support this important 
legislation.

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