Ag News: FCC Presiding Over Rural Broadband
**The FCC is presiding over a telecommunication tug-of-war that will affect who gets licenses to own bits of the Citizens Band radio spectrum, which should affect rural broadband development and access.
Agri-Pulse reports, like the Homestead Act of 1862, which sent hordes scrambling out West to claim tracts of land, the FCC will set the rules on who claims locations in that spectrum.
The FCC has designated that band as the Citizens Broadband Radio Service for shared wireless broadband use.
**When the White House went toe to toe with China over tariffs last month, the trade dispute may have prompted Congress to pick up the pace on the farm bill.
Senate Ag Chairman Pat Roberts tells agriculture.com it certainly starts the fire under every member of the committee, pointing to the potential for losing vital farm exports due to high tariffs.
President Trump vowed to make it up to farmers if they suffer Chinese retaliation.
https://www.agriculture.com/news/business/will-farmers-be-
protected-if-there-s-a-trade-war
**Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue announced details on eligibility for a new USDA disaster program, the 2017 Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program.
USDA will also provide a $340 million block grant to the
State of Florida for Hurricane Irma losses to citrus production expected during the 2018 thru 2020 crop years.
The WHIP program will help producers in at least nine states with recovery from hurricane and wildfire damage appropriated through the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018.