Houchin: Closing the digital divide essential for Indiana farm economy 

By U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin, Republican, District 9 

In Indiana’s Ninth District, agriculture is not just an industry. It is a way of life. 

Our farmers produce the food, fuel and fiber that sustain America, and they do it with determination and an embrace of innovation. To stay competitive in a modern economy, they need something that too often does not reach their fields: reliable broadband. 

For years, the United States has invested billions in closing the digital divide, yet many rural communities are still left behind. One major reason is that the FCC’s broadband map, the tool used to decide where federal dollars are directed, often misses farmland. Right now, barns and farmhouses might be mapped as having internet access but the cropland and pastures where farming actually happens are not. It is critical to have an accurate representation of the coverage gaps because if the map does not show the need, funding does not follow. 

That is why I recently introduced the bipartisan Data BRIDGE Act. This common sense bill directs the FCC to incorporate existing USDA cultivated land data into the broadband map. The USDA already collects this information and integrating it into the FCC’s system will give us a more accurate picture of where internet access is truly needed. 

This matters because modern farming is powered by precision agriculture. In fact, one farmer in my district recently purchased a new combine that depends on constant wireless connectivity to operate correctly. Without reliable internet access in the field, these combines cannot transmit the data they collect making Indiana farmers less competitive in a connected ag economy. Across Indiana, farmers are investing in tractors, planters, sensors, and irrigation systems that all rely on real-time data. With broadband that extends beyond the barn and into the field, these tools help farmers adjust operations to suit the need and increase yields per acre.  

The Data BRIDGE Act is not about new mandates or costly programs. It is about using the data we already have so taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and where they will make the most difference. By ensuring broadband maps reflect cropland and pastures, we can make sure funding for precision ag reaches the acres where it is needed most. 

This effort is bipartisan, with support from Republicans and Democrats. We all understand the importance of reliable internet access, whether for farmers in rural Indiana, students in small towns, or businesses in underserved communities. 

Closing the digital divide is about more than convenience. It is about economic growth, food security, and ensuring rural America has the same opportunities as everyone else. The Data BRIDGE Act brings us one step closer to making that a reality, and I am proud to lead the charge on behalf of Indiana farmers and families.