In his first trip to Iowa since taking office, President Trump was introduced to high-tech, big-data dependent agriculture and said his $1 trillion infrastructure plan will expand broadband access in rural America. “We will rebuild rural America,” said the president, with a prosperous farm sector as the lever for economic growth in rural communities.
“I will be including a provision in our infrastructure proposal, $1 trillion proposal — you’ll be seeing it very shortly — to promote and foster and enhance broadband access for rural America also,” Trump said at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, in eastern Iowa. He did not say how large the commitment would be or how it would be financed. The White House has said private investment would provide the bulk of infrastructure funding. An estimated 40 percent of rural Americans lack access to high-speed internet.
“We have to make sure American farmers and their families, wherever they are, wherever they may go, have the infrastructure projects that they need to grow and compete … against world competition. That’s who you’re up against now,” said Trump. “American farmers pour their heart into their crops and their love into their great communities. That why they call this the heartland.”
During a 20-minute speech, Trump said “we’re working very hard” to repeal the estate tax, said “we will protect the corn-based ethanol and biofuels that power our country” and described family-owned farms as “the backbone of America and my administration will always support the farmer.” The president stood on a platform between two massive farm tractors, with a backdrop of a huge American flag. Farmers voted in landslide proportions for Trump last fall and rural America was key to his victory. Roughly 15 percent of Americans live in rural areas and farmers are a fraction of the rural population.
The community college trains students for so-called precision agriculture, which uses variable rate equipment to tailor fertilizer, seed and pesticide applications to the changing yield potential of soil as farmers cross a field. The application “recipe” often is based on by-the-moment data collected during harvest. Farmers increasingly use GPS technology to prevent overlap of pesticides and other input with self-steering tractors.
Trump was shown a simulator for running a combine that uses the 21st-century technology. “I just learned more about farming than I thought I’d ever learn,” he told a crowd at the community college. The visit to Iowa included a send-off for former Gov. Terry Branstad, the new U.S. ambassador to China. Branstad complimented Trump for China’s decision to allow U.S. beef imports after a 13-year ban. “And you already got it done! And there’s more to come!” said Branstad enthusiastically.
Repeatedly, Trump expressed admiration for farmers’ grit and the beauty of rural landscapes. “I’m not a farmer, but I would be very happy to be one,” he said before leaving for a campaign-style rally.
To watch the White House video of the president’s speech, click here.