Fiber Broadband Association Statement on Farm Bill 2.0 and Rural Connectivity

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) released the following statement today on the Agricultural Act of 2026, or Farm Bill 2.0, released by the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee:

“The Fiber Broadband Association applauds Chairman John Boozman’s leadership in advancing Farm Bill reauthorization and recognizing the critical role USDA broadband programs play in connecting rural communities, strengthening local economies, and enabling the future of American agriculture.

“FBA is encouraged by the draft legislation’s commitment to codifying the USDA ReConnect Program, streamlining the application process, and sustaining support for broadband deployment in some of the nation’s most underserved areas. These provisions provide greater certainty for broadband providers making long-term investments to deliver reliable, high-capacity connectivity to rural America.

“As Congress and USDA continue this important work, FBA looks forward to ensuring that rural broadband policies prioritize scalable, future-ready infrastructure capable of supporting the next generation of economic growth. From artificial intelligence and precision agriculture to telehealth, advanced manufacturing, and small business development, the opportunities ahead will depend on robust fiber networks.

“Rural America should not simply be connected—it should be positioned to lead in the digital economy. Investing in world-class broadband infrastructure today will ensure rural communities can compete, innovate, and thrive for decades to come.”