TED: What farmers need to be modern, climate-friendly and profitable | Beth Ford

The CEO of Landolakes discusses the critical issue of broadband access in rural America, emphasizing its impact on education and farming. She highlights the need for broadband to be a national priority, with bipartisan support. The conversation shifts to the role of technology in farming, focusing on efficiency and climate resilience. The CEO introduces True Terra and True Carbon platforms, which help farmers make sustainable decisions and generate revenue through carbon credits. The discussion underscores the importance of technology and innovation in addressing climate change and supporting farmers economically.

What is one of the main reasons for the inaccurate broadband mapping in rural areas?

• Limited interest from service providers

• High cost of broadband installation

• Presence of Wi-Fi in isolated spots

• Lack of government funding

What is the estimated cost to close the broadband gap in rural America?

• $80 to $100 billion

• $150 to $200 billion

• $30 to $50 billion

• $10 to $20 billion

Why is broadband access crucial for modern farming?

• It helps in marketing farm products online

• It provides entertainment for farm workers

• It allows farmers to use data-intensive technologies

• It reduces the cost of farm equipment

What is the role of the True Terra insights engine?

• To connect farmers with international markets

• To offer financial advice to farmers

• To provide weather forecasts

• To give farm-level insights for sustainable decisions

How does the True Carbon platform benefit farmers?

• By reducing their tax liabilities

• By providing them with free equipment

• By allowing them to earn carbon credits

• By offering them insurance against crop failure

What is a potential future challenge for row crop farming?

• Electrification of the transportation sector

• Increased demand for biofuels

• Decrease in global food demand

• Rise in traditional farming methods

What is the significance of the partnership with Microsoft in the context of carbon credits?

• Microsoft provides free software to farmers

• Microsoft purchases carbon credits from farmers

• Microsoft offers training programs for farmers

• Microsoft helps in the distribution of farm products

What is the main goal of the Nori platform?

• To provide loans to farmers

• To be the eBay of carbon credit trading

• To offer weather predictions

• To connect farmers with local markets

How can farmers make their farms more resilient according to the discussion?

• By diversifying their crop production

• By increasing the use of pesticides

• By reducing their workforce

• By investing in sustainable practices

What is a key benefit of making farms more resilient?

• It enhances the farm's profitability

• It increases the number of farm workers

• It limits the farm's production capacity

• It reduces the need for technology