On Thursday, June 23rd, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig visited the Farmers Coop Telephone Company. This cooperative has been providing telecommunication and technology services to the residents of Dysart, Clutier and the surrounding rural areas of Tama and Benton counties for 75 years. The company recently received a grant from the state to install 120 miles of fiber in their rural service area. This kind of infrastructure that facilitates broadband connectivity in rural Iowa is crucial to farmers. From smart tractors to monitoring systems for livestock, farmers depend on connectivity more than ever before and companies like Farmers Coop are making it possible.