Internet cable being laid in rural AmericaWith a major infrastructure plan on the docket for the White House soon, ag leadership in Congress is signaling they’ll prioritize rural broadband in any infrastructure legislation that moves through the House and Senate soon. The lack of dependable broadband coverage in rural America has long hindered things like education and workforce retention in small towns, and the industry is discovering its implications for farmers, namely in the adoption of technology that can make them more productive or efficient. Some lawmakers say rural broadband should be addressed on its own and pulled out of the infrastructure package, which they say will likely not be the quickest legislation to reach the President’s desk. To that end, members of the House Agriculture Committee say they’re hoping to hold a hearing to begin developing separate legislation after the Easter holiday. See more.