Use of Technology and Fixed Wireless Broadband in the Field.

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On August 19, 2021, Professors Didow and Ward in coordination with Jack McNairy, Executive Vice President of Harvey Farms in Lenoir County hosted a precision agriculture showcase in rural Eastern North Carolina that featured several precision agriculture technologies using fixed wireless broadband network connectivity.

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The showcase demonstrated the various uses of fixed wireless broadband services using Citizens Broadband Radio Spectrum (CBRS) frequencies to enable precision agriculture uses on in-field equipment. CBRS spectrum is ideally suited for Internet of Things (IoT) applications in the agriculture sector and this project seeks to leverage this spectrum to demonstrate the range of on-farm capabilities by leveraging existing in-field structures such as existing guidance and communications towers and grain bins.  

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Helping rural Eastern North Carolina growers and extension leaders learn about CBRS fixed wireless spectrum as a solution to their IoT ecosystem on their farms.

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The August 19th showcase featured the operational use and capabilities of various connected field systems including mobile vehicles, in-field sensing devices, irrigation, and robotics using high-capacity fixed wireless broadband network service in the 3.5Ghz range. Most farms do not have access to any fiber optic or fixed wireless broadband services and their existing mobile service offerings are unreliable and costly.

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The showcase also provided real world examples of precision agriculture techniques and use cases to help inform local community leaders, extension officials, and state wide agriculture influencers about the possibilities of increasing profits to small and medium sized farming businesses across eastern North Carolina beyond the current estimated 20% +/- level.