connections www.rainbowtel.net 800-892-0163 SUMMER 2023 • VOLUME 11 • ISSUE 4 BUSINESS Helping Crops and Communities Grow Wendy and Andy Pederson, owners of Pederson Seed & Services Smart Farm Technology Meets Growing Needs 3 Spotlight on Pederson Seed & Services 4 Giving Back to Your Community is a Win-Win 6 Why Choose a Local Internet Service Provider? 7
2 Summer 2023 Business Connections is a publication of Rainbow Communications, 608 Main St., Everest, KS 66424. Editorial and Circulation Contact: Jackie Petersen 608 Main St. Everest, KS 66424 800.892.0163 x1105 Extra issues are available to business customer employees on a limited basis while supplies last. Contact: Jackie Petersen 608 Main St. Everest, KS 66424 800.892.0163 x1105 All brand names and product names used in this publication are trade names, service marks, trademarks, or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright® 2023 by Rainbow Communications and Cornerstone Publishing Group, Inc. Postmaster send changes to: Jackie Petersen PO Box 147 Everest, KS 66424 PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER This issue celebrates deep roots and strong growth. We were inspired by Pederson Seed & Services, the subject of the Business Spotlight, to explore these topics as they relate to farming. However, we also look at how deep roots and strong growth relate to community support. Smart Farm Technology Meets Growing Needs, as you’ll learn on page 3. The food required for a growing world population will require the agricultural industry to farm smarter for increased efficiency. The aforementioned Business Spotlight on Pederson Seed & Services is on pages 4 and 5. Owner Andy Pederson has roots in the area, having grown up on a family farm in North Central Kansas. He credits the growth of the family business to a team that complements and represents the community. To stay connected, Pederson Seed & Services uses Rainbow’s Fiber Internet and Business PremiumWi-Fi. On page 6, we review why Giving Back to Your Community is a Win-Win. It can help your business grow and your community become stronger, as well as deepen the connections you have with customers. Then on page 7, we answer the question Why Choose a Local Internet Service Provider? Rainbow is proud to be a local ISP and honored to serve you. When you combine the right products, processes, and people—whether in a field or an office —it yields the best results. Contact Rainbow for the right communications solutions for your growing business. Sincerely, The Rainbow Business Development and Customer Relations Team connections BUSINESS From left to right: Angie Kreider, Director of Business Development; Julie Bergman, Senior Business Development Specialist; Jerad Enneking, Business Relations Manager; Jonny Kane, Customer Relation Specialist II; and Deanna Lanter, Customer Relation Specialist II SUMMER 2023
BUSINESS connections Summer 2023 3 According to a United Nations report, the current world population of 7.6 billion is expected to reach 8.6 billion in 2030 and 9.8 billion in 2050. To meet the demands of this growing population, the agricultural industry will increasingly use smart technology in the next few decades. Smart Farm Technology Meets Growing Needs By farming smarter, growers can significantly increase efficiency, with greater output (crop yields) produced for less inputs (seed/fertilizer) per acre of land. They can also reduce the percentage of manual labor, lower financial costs, preserve natural resources, and minimize the impact of climate change. Smart technology in agriculture includes a wide variety of devices, equipment, and software—all powered by robust broadband connections, such as the ones provided by Rainbow. Here are examples in key categories: Real-Time Kinematic Technology (RTK) is a technique that enhances the accuracy of Global Navigation Satellite System positioning by using a fixed base station and a mobile rover. RTK can achieve centimeter-level precision, which is ideal for applications such as precision agriculture, surveying, and mapping. Precision Agriculture (PA) is a farming management concept based on observing, measuring, and responding to inter-field and intra-field variability in crops. PA is also sometimes referred to as precision farming, satellite agriculture, as-needed farming, and site-specific crop management. Autonomous Machinery refers to self-driving farm equipment that performs its duties without an operator sitting in the cab. Autonomous tractors have been designed to process and calculate their own position and speed, and to avoid obstacles in the field such as humans, animals, and objects. FarmManagement Software automates business management, record keeping, and accounting for farms and agribusiness. Water Management Technology is a new generation of irrigation hardware designed to help growers make better use of their water resources. For example, onboard center-pivot cameras and aerial surveillance now keep track of insect and disease pressure in real time while the machine also monitors overall crop health through measures of nitrogen uptake. The Rainbow Fiber-Optic Network can support these applications in our service area. Contact Rainbow at 800-892-0163 to discuss the Internet needs of your farm or ranch, including Wi-Fi network installation on your property. It optimizes use of natural resources, increases crop yields, and more
4 Summer 2023 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT This growing family business helps crops (and communities) grow Pederson became a CCA (Certified Crop Advisor) in 1991, graduated from Kansas State University with an agronomy degree in 1990, and married the love of his life, Wendy, in 1993.They started Pederson Seed & Services in 2000, utilizing his background in crop consulting and crop advising on dryland and irrigated wheat, sorghum, alfalfa, corn, sunflowers, soybeans and feed sources for farmers in Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Pederson became a TSP (Technical Service Provider) in 2007. Family Helping Farmers “Pederson Seed & Services is a family business. Wendy is Office Manager – Team Support, and our son, Trevor, joined the business full-time last spring. Our daughter Sydney is also involved and will begin her studies in the fall at the University of Missouri-Kansas City,” said Pederson. He continued, “We believe we’re selling more than just a bag of seed or some soil sampling. We’re selling an agronomic system. We work closely with our customers to help themmake decisions that are right for each acre—agronomically, environmentally, and economically. Our first priority is to build and support our communities and families to help improve the quality of life in rural areas.” Pederson Seed & Services offers: • Pioneer Seed • Bulk Tenders • Seed Treatment • Agronomy Services • Crop Scouting • Soil Sampling • Aerial Application • Crop Insurance • Variable Rate Maps for Fertilizer and Seeding Pederson Seed & Services Andy Pederson, Owner of Pederson Seed & Services in Hiawatha, grew up on a family farm in North Central Kansas. While that farm is no longer in operation, his passion for farming never stopped growing. Sydney Pederson, Andy Pederson, Wendy Pederson, and Trevor Pederson Owner Andy Pederson
Summer 2023 5 BUSINESS connections Renovated Buildings Enhance Hiawatha When Andy andWendy Pederson see a need in Hiawatha, they like to do what they can to help. An excellent example is the renovation work they’ve done to give these old buildings a new life: • Former Maple Lanes Bowling Alley: The Pedersons purchased the building in 2022, and it’s being remodeled to be used as a meeting or community space. The south exterior wall welcomes visitors to town with a mural. For details, see page 6. • Former Carpet Plus Retail Store: This project involved cleanup, office gutting, rebuilding storage space, installing doors, reinsulating, and adding new tin to the exterior. It’s now a storage and staging building. • Flairfold: To renovate the property that was once a wooden shutter plant, extensive work was required—removal of remaining supplies, tearing down of buildings, replacing windows, concreting the lots, and more. It now features usable space for an office, meeting area, seed and chemical storage, seed treating, and data management. Owner Andy Pederson noted, “By making historical buildings more attractive and functional, it helps our town look updated to visitors and make a good first impression. Plus, I think the renovations help Hiawatha residents feel prouder of our little community.” Teaming Up for Growth How would Pederson describe the growth of the company from 2000 to today? He replied, “Perhaps the best way to describe our growth is slow, methodical, and calculated. Every employee through the years has positively contributed to where we are today. The local community has supported us from day one, and we’ve tried to build a team that complements and represents the community. Pioneer Seed has also been a key component of our overall business strategy and helped Pederson Seed & Services grow.” It’s that team approach that makes Pederson most proud of the company. He explained, “We focus on the farmers and help them be the best they can be. Our team’s attitude and willingness to jump in and help each other and our customers makes me very proud.” Rainbow Solutions To stay connected and working efficiently, Pederson Seed & Services uses two Rainbow communications solutions—Fiber Internet and Business PremiumWi-Fi. “Rainbow’s Fiber Internet has been a great help to us. It allows for rapid movement of large files and easy Internet access for meetings, and its stability has supported our business. In addition, Rainbow’s commitment to farm networks in the community has helped us better access data more quickly, enabling us to promptly deliver data/recommendations to our customers and their teams. Our goal is to provide our customers with timely updates, and Rainbow’s Fiber Internet is key to accomplishing this,” said Pederson. What does he appreciate about Rainbow’s Business Premium Wi-Fi? Pederson answered, “It provides us with excellent access to the Internet for multiple users at a time, over multiple buildings. The area that Business PremiumWi-Fi covers allows us to operate all Internet-based software across our properties, and this range helps us better serve our customers.” “Give What You Can” It’s clear that serving customers goes hand in hand with serving the community for Pederson Seed & Services. Pederson said, “Our team is heavily invested in supporting the Hiawatha community, including our local school districts, in many ways. Wendy and I believe giving back is how we make the community better. Give what you can, while you can, for as long as you can.” You can read about some of the ways Pederson Seed & Services gives back to Hiawatha below and on page 6.
6 Summer 2023 Hiawatha Mural is a Sign of Deep Pride After the owners of Pederson Seed & Services, Andy andWendy Pederson, purchased the old Maple Lanes Bowling Alley, they decided its south side could serve as a welcome sign for Hiawatha. Thanks to the work of five artists in 2022, the letter-perfect mural does that and more. The first “H” pays homage toTheodore Korthanke and his beloved maple trees, whose colorful leaves are the symbol of Hiawatha. The “I” displays the iconic Clock Tower building, and the first “A” shows part of an American flag. The “W” represents the Midwest with a buffalo, and the next “A” shows a soybean field. The “T” honors the town’s annual Halloween Frolic, and the second “H” is a tractor. The final “A” is a tribute to the National Guard 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery, based in Hiawatha. Andy Pederson said, “This mural has generated an overwhelming flow of pride and appreciation from Hiawatha and surrounding communities. We love that.” Pederson Seed & Services continues to give back to the area by hosting “Cars & Coffee” events and food trucks during the spring season. When your business supports local programs, initiatives, and organizations, it’s a win for your community. You’re helping to improve the quality of life for residents as well as the economic development of the area.The winning doesn’t stop there, however. Giving back is also a win for your business, since donating and volunteering on an ongoing basis builds stronger connections with your customers and shows them you genuinely care about what’s important to them. Many of today’s consumers appreciate businesses that go beyond selling products and services and take action to address the needs of their communities. In fact, the term CorpSumer was coined to describe a brand activist who considers a company’s values, actions, and reputation to be just as important as the things they sell. In addition to the positive impact on current customer relationships, giving back can also help your business attract new customers by increasing the exposure of your business and its employees at community events such as youth sports, nonprofit fundraisers, festivals, and parades. With every sponsorship or other contribution, you make an investment not only in your community, but in the marketing of your business. There are many ways to give back, and if you’re looking for additional ideas, consider these: Volunteer together and/or help employees to volunteer. For example, your team could spend an afternoon working on a Habitat for Humanity house. Or allow employees to choose their own organizations, and give them time off to volunteer. Offer services. Providing your products for free or at a reduced rate is another great way to contribute locally. Serve as a “middleman.” You could make your business a drop-off location for drives to collect needed items, such as food or school supplies. Use social media. Use your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social media accounts to announce fundraising events, suggest donating to a particular organization, or simply tell a wider audience more about what they do. Giving Back to Your Community is a Win-Win
BUSINESS connections Summer 2023 7 Living and working in the same community as your Internet provider may be even more beneficial than you realize. A local Internet Service Provider (ISP) can offer many advantages over national competitors including these: Why Choose a Local Internet Service Provider? Knows the Community A local ISP is deeply rooted in the community and has the connections, relationships, and local knowledge other nationally owned companies simply do not have. It knows how the community operates, what it needs, and how to get things done efficiently. It’s also invested in the success of its residents and fellow businesses. A local ISP will be the first to advocate for your needs and the last to put profits before customer satisfaction. Lends a Hand When People Need It Because a local ISP is such an integral part of the community, it recognizes when a helping hand is needed. When the community is facing challenges, the management and employees of a local ISP jump in and help people move forward. For example, it may use community partnerships, grant funding, and its own investments to ramp up fiber installation in rural areas to foster economic growth. Provides Personal Customer Service A national ISP might have a fleet of technicians, but if they’re subcontractors managed through a cumbersome bureaucracy, you could wait a long time to get service. By contrast, a local ISP will have local technicians and other local employees who can provide responsive customer service and faster turnaround on installations and maintenance. The staff at a local ISP is also more likely to develop an ongoing relationship with your business, which means you’ll spend less time explaining things before your problem gets solved. Creates Flexible Solutions A local ISP isn’t limited by the red tape and restrictions often found at a large corporation. This means a local ISP has the flexibility to spend whatever time is required to fully understand your needs and develop the best solutions to meet them. Cares About Your Success To a local ISP, you’re not just a customer. You’re also a neighbor, and someone its employees will run into at the grocery store or at community events. As a result, a local ISP will genuinely care about you, your satisfaction, and your success. Rainbow is proud to be a local ISP and honored to serve you. To learn more about our community involvement, follow us on Facebook or visit www.rainbowtel.net/community. Because local connections are so important
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