Broadband Alliance for Agriculture Names Paarlberg Executive Director

The Broadband Alliance for Agriculture goal is to eliminate the "digital-divide" between rural and urban residents so all have high-speed internet access at affordable prices. Farmers, ranchers, ag retailers and other residents of Rural America are currently "second class citizens" due to lack of broadband access.

St. Louis, Mo. (PRWEB) August 28, 2007 -- The Broadband Alliance for Agriculture, www.broadbandalliance.org, a leading non-profit organization with the mission of promoting high-speed internet access to rural America, announces the appointment of Robert Paarlberg as their Executive Director.

Working with guidance and direction from an Executive Board of Directors, Paarlberg is charged with developing programs to support the Broadband Alliance objectives including education and advocacy programs to make affordable internet broadband available to all. In the near term, the Broadband Alliance will be focusing on Agriculture and rural America.

"The future of American farmers, ranchers and rural agricultural businesses depend on affordable access to high-speed internet access," Paarlberg says. "We cannot continue with the current digital divide that exists between metropolitan and rural areas.

"Farmers, ranchers and rural agricultural businesses can not remain economically competitive when less than half have high-speed internet connections. How can the contry that hopes to be the number one business nation in the world rank 25th in high-speed internet connections? These issues are among those the Broadband Alliance for Agriculture is addressing," Paarlberg concludes.

Paarlberg was formerly the Managing Director of Information Technology for Royster-Clark and has served in similar roles for IMC Agribusiness and Vigoro Industries. He brings a mix of technology and financial experience along with a deep agricultural heritage. He also serves on the advisory board of several universities. Paarlberg is widely sought-after spokesperson on technology and has been recognized for writing a column for a national agricultural publication on emerging technolgy.

The Broadband Alliance for Agriculture will announce their Executive Board of Directors shortly. "Currently we are in discussions with some of the most insightful and influential leaders in Agriculture", Paarlberg says. "We look forward to their setting the agenda for programs".

Individuals and companies interested in participating in the Broadband Alliance for Agriculture are encouraged to visit the website www.broadbandalliance.org or call (618) 978-0399.

Editor's Note: A 300 dpi jpg photo of Robert Paarlberg is available upon request.

Company Contact:

Robert Paarlberg

Executive Director

Broadband Alliance

225 West Main Street

Collinsville, Illinois 62234

Mobile: 618.978.0399

www.broadbandalliance.org

Media Contact:

Warren E. Clark

CCI Marketing

24/7 voice, or voice mail, 847.836.5100

www.ccimarketing.com

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