Producers of milk, wheat, cotton, sugar, corn, rice and many other farm and ranch products in the United States are speaking up in support of the federal legislation that would require AM radio in new vehicles.
Twenty-five agricultural groups have sent a letter to Capitol Hill endorsing the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. (Read the letter.)
The National Association of Broadcasters highlighted the letter. It said the bill has 196 cosponsors in the House and 44 in the Senate.
“Our members rely on AM radio and the vital services it provides daily,” they wrote.
“AM radio is a source of weather, commodity and national farm policy updates for our members. Access to radio becomes even more important for America’s producers in times of emergency.”
They cited the “unparalleled” range of AM signals that can “travel through barriers like mountains and buildings” and the fact that when cell towers go down, radio is still available.
“While millions of rural Americans still lack broadband service, rural and agricultural programming through AM radio helps keep rural residents apprised of news that may impact their businesses, health care, education and family.”
The signatories are the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Dairy Coalition, Corn Refiners Association, CropLife America, American Feed Industry Association, Farm Credit Council, Florida Sugar Cane Growers, American Seed Trade Association, American Sheep Industry Association, International Fresh Produce Association, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, National Council of Farm Cooperatives, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Milk Producers Federation, National Corn Growers Association, National Sorghum Producers, National Cotton Council, Organic Trade Association, Texas Sugar Cane Growers, USA Rice and USA Beet Sugar.
