JUNE 2014
3
business
solutions
Speakers and participants explore
new collaboration opportunities
BVTC Hosts
Agriculture/Broadband
SUMMIT
A
pril 14, BVTC hosted and co-
sponsored the first Agriculture/
Broadband Summit. Other spon-
sors were the Kansas State University (KSU)
Center for Engagement and Community
Development; and Smart Rural Community,
as part of the National Telecommunications
Cooperative Association (NCTA - The
Rural Broadband Association). Landoll
Corporation was the lunch sponsor. Brian
Thomason, General Manager/CEO at
BVTC, comments, “By the year 2050, there
will be nine billion people in the world
to feed. Innovation will be key for the ag-
riculture industry to meet this need. The
goal of this summit is to foster innovation
and partnerships between the agriculture
and broadband/data industries.”
He adds, “It’s our charter to foster economic
development and enhance the quality of
life in northeast Kansas whenever possible.
This summit speaks to what it means to
be a cooperative in rural America.”
The program included the following
agenda items:
• Opening remarks by Terry Force,
BVTC and NTCA Board President
• A talk about the importance of the
agriculture/broadband collaboration
by U.S. Senator Pat Roberts
• Panel discussions featuring StevenDorf,
Kansas Fiber Network; Terry Holdren,
Kansas FarmBureau; Patty Clark, USDA
RuralDevelopment; DonLandoll, Landoll
Corporation; Jamie Meier, Landoll
Corporation; and JessicaGolden, NTCA
• Round table discussions
• Discussion Themes and Determining a
Call for Action by moderators Donna
Schenck-Hamlin,UndergraduateSpecialist,
KSU Hale Library; and Jessica Golden,
NTCA Strategic Outreach Manager
• Agriculture and broadbandpresentations
by Dr. Dan Thomson, KSU; Dr. Joel
DeRouchey, KSU; Jerry Horton, BVTC;
and Jada Ackerman, BVTC
The Summit provided an effective oppor-
tunity for the agriculture and broadband
industries to explore newways to collaborate.
Patty Clark, State Director of USDA Rural Development, shares her
thoughts on driving development in rural communities.
The goal of this summit is to
foster innovation and partnerships
between the agriculture and
broadband/data industries.”
—
BRIAN THOMASON
, GENERAL
MANAGER/CEO, BVTC
As widespread as broadband access has become, there are many areas of the U.S. where coverage
is less available. Yet in these communities, coverage is especially important. For example, widespread
broadband access contributes to better marketing opportunities for small businesses. Health care,
education, and public safety—all keys to thriving rural and agricultural communities—are also
enhanced by a strong broadband presence.
HOT TOPICS
AT THE SUMMIT
• Broadband Infrastructure
Development
• Broadband Adoption & Utilization
• Rural Development
• Utilizing Broadband for Agriculture
Education
• Telemedicine
• Broadband in Education
• Data Management
• Universal Service Fund
• Business Development
• Innovations
