2002 Annual Report Edition of The Extension Connection

Robin Brekke, ISU Extension technology education coordinator, developed an educational curriculum to train FBX members on Internet services such as e-mail, Web searching, child safety and shopping online.

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Last update: February 2003

Education through technology brings solutions for rural Iowa

The Internet is becoming increasingly important for finding information, communicating and achieving commercial success. However, rural Iowans often are at a disadvantage in terms of Internet access.

Iowa State University Extension is working with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and Lighthouse Communications Inc. to help bring affordable Internet service to even the most rural areas in Iowa and help bridge the “digital divide” — the gap between technology “haves” and “have nots.”

Internet access marketed as FBX is the new low-cost Internet service that this partnership will make available to all Iowa citizens. A consumer-level network launched in November 2001, FBX provides four key benefits: access, affordability, education and customer support. The objective is to provide all Iowans equal access to the potential of the Internet.

“The value of information and Internet access will vastly increase for rural Iowans with the outreach education and training that the joint venture contemplates,” said David Lyons, director of business development for Iowa Farm Bureau Federation. “The investment capability of Farm Bureau, technology expertise of Lighthouse Communications and the program delivery capability of Extension are a dynamic combination.”

While affordable Internet service is the foundation for bridging the gap of the digital divide, the joint venture partners recognize the need for Internet education and new Web-based services. ISU Extension currently is working with Lighthouse Communications to complete a new educational curriculum, Using Internet Services, to train FBX members on services such as electronic mail, searching the Web, child safety and shopping online.

In addition, ISU Extension has conducted training on campus in e-business and e-commerce, targeting owners of small businesses, specialty agriculture and community artist/craft shops. These one-day training events introduce Farm Bureau’s Online Farmers’ Market, providing small business owners and producers with affordable service for their own electronic storefront on the Web.

“Iowa State University Extension and Lighthouse Communications teaming with Iowa Farm Bureau have created the framework for developing unique technology access and solutions for Iowa,” Lyons said. “Rural Iowans will be big winners in this effort.”

ISU Extension also is planning new broadband Internet service for its county and area offices across the state, expanding the educational services that Extension supplies to Iowans and improving the organization’s productivity. This is being accomplished largely through a partnership that is developing between Lighthouse Communications Inc. and the Iowa Communications Network (ICN). “We have been operating with low speed communications in most of our county offices — seriously limiting our capacity to utilize advanced educational materials,” said Floyd Davenport, ISU Extension information technology officer.

Iowans can expect enhanced service capabilities from an increasingly “wired” ISU Extension. According to Davenport, an upgrade of Extension’s statewide network with high-speed capability will tie rural Iowa to educational opportunities using a whole new world of technology.

Upgrading the ISU Extension network will mean more educational services can be developed to reach Iowans through video conferencing, streaming presentations and potentially, classes with students in county offices interacting with campus instructors.