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Farming and the Internet: Reasons for Non-Use

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 September 2016

Brian C. Briggeman
Affiliation:
Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
Brian E. Whitacre
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma
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Abstract

Rural broadband infrastructure and service has received a significant amount of funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. These funds should increase broadband availability, but will broadband be used in rural areas and in particular by farmers? This paper uses Agricultural Resource Management Survey data to investigate why the majority of U.S. farmers choose not to use the Internet in their farm business. Although frequently cited by policymakers, concerns about inadequate Internet service or security actually account for a small percentage of responses. This research identifies targeted educational programs that focus on alleviating perceived barriers to Internet use.

Type
Contributed Papers
Copyright
Copyright © 2010 Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association 

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