OUTCOMES
What did we learn from the field demonstration projects?
We learned that most farmers cannot afford fiber last mile connection to their farms due to the high cost of deploying a single farmer to a rural area that is sparsely populated. Most growers who attended the August 18th showcase indicated their strong enthusiasm for broadband access to their farms and farm offices but could not afford the cost of deployment.
Most farmers who attended the showcase indicated they did not know enough about fixed wireless service as a meaningful alternative to fiber or even mobile last mile and middle mile network access. However, many said they were eager to learn more about CBRS after they showcase and urged the hosts to keep them informed about when a fixed wireless solution would be available in their area.
Others expressed interest in robotics and wanted to utilize its remote diagnostic capabilities to monitor crop and soil health below the canopy level.
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Farm worker health and well being through in field and farm worker housing broadband access
The event also included remarks from Natalie Rivera, The Farmworker Internet Connectivity Project Coordinator for the NC Farmworker Health Program, within the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The Farmworker Internet Connectivity project is focused on expanding reliable broadband connectivity to farmworkers throughout North Carolina to ensure they have access to lifesaving information throughout the pandemic and hurricane season, telehealth services, and can stay connected to their families to relieve the stress of isolation and quarantine. Ms. Rivera provided an overview of her work at the showcase on August 19th and welcomes all farmers to learn more about her program.
Please read our final report that summarizes all of our key conclusions about the promise of Precision Agriculture in rural Eastern North Carolina using licensed fixed wireless technology.
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PRECISION AGRICULTURE FIELD