The following summary has been condensed for length and readability. To listen to the full discussion, click . This episode is sponsored by and .
In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, recorded live at Connected America 2025 in Irving, Texas, host Brad Hine sat down with a returning guest and longtime broadband champion: Curtis Dean, president of SmartSource Consulting and co-founder of the Community Broadband Action Network (CBAN). Their conversation offers a comprehensive look at the intersection of broadband connectivity, agricultural innovation, and the pressing policy and labor issues facing rural America.
Live from Connected America: Big Conversations in a Big Room
Kicking off the episode, Curtis shares his impressions of the event. Now in its second year, Connected America has grown substantially, so much so that it took over the largest room at the Irving Convention Center. Curtis notes how meaningful it was to have both the main stage and the exhibit floor in the same space, encouraging engagement and cross-pollination between attendees, vendors, and speakers.
What stood out most, however, was the vibrancy of the conversations. From official sessions to impromptu chats near the cocktail bar, the show created an environment where broadband stakeholders—from community providers to public officials—could connect over shared goals. “I sent an effusively enthusiastic email to my CBAN team,” Curtis says, listing out 15 conversations from just one day.
Broadband Meets Agriculture: Smart Ag in Action
Curtis recently participated in a panel discussion at the conference focused on connected agriculture, often referred to as “smart ag” or “agtech.” Alongside representatives from the American Farm Bureau Federation, Yuma County in Colorado, and Airwave Technologies, the session explored the tangible ways broadband is transforming agriculture in the U.S.
One standout example came from Yuma County, which invested in building out fiber infrastructure to support rural towers. This connectivity is vital for enabling real-time data gathering and automated operations across vast stretches of farmland. These innovations are no longer just “nice to have”—they’re essential for supporting modern food production in an era of resource constraints.
The technologies discussed ranged from sensor networks to drones and AI-powered analytics. These tools help farmers monitor moisture levels, crop health, and soil conditions with incredible precision. One story that stood out involved the use of plastic sheeting with strategically sized holes to control irrigation at a hyper-local level. Each hole was tailored to deliver the exact amount of water needed, based on previous data and predictive modeling.
Reframing AI: From Artificial to Agricultural Intelligence
The panelists also addressed the explosion of interest in artificial intelligence (AI) and how it applies to agriculture. Curtis offered a new take on the acronym: Agricultural Intelligence—emphasizing that AI in this context is not just a tech trend but a vital tool for interpreting the mountains of data being collected from fields, drones, and sensors.
He pointed out that while AI often gets discussed in abstract terms, in the agricultural world it’s highly practical. AI is helping farmers make better decisions about planting schedules, water usage, fertilizer application, and crop rotation. But for AI to work effectively, the underlying data must be well-structured, secure, and owned by the right people—which leads to one of the episode’s key themes.
Who Owns the Data?
As farms become increasingly digitized, data ownership has become a major concern. In many cases, farmers generate data using equipment from third-party vendors—only to find out later that they don’t actually have full access to or control over that information.
Curtis explains how this issue is creating a shift: more farmers and agricultural businesses are now insisting on local data storage rather than relying on cloud-based platforms where ownership terms may be unclear. With affordable hardware now available (e.g., 10-terabyte hard drives for just a few hundred dollars), it’s easier than ever for small and mid-sized operations to retain full control over their data assets.
This conversation echoes broader concerns in the broadband and tech world about digital sovereignty and ethical data practices. It’s not just about farming—it’s about ensuring that the individuals and communities generating the data are the ones benefiting from it.
Sustainability and Food Security: Doing More with Less
The episode also explores the relationship between broadband connectivity and food security. As urban sprawl and data centers encroach on traditional farmland, and as climate change continues to impact water and land availability, farmers are being asked to produce more food with fewer resources.
Curtis highlights how connected agriculture can be a solution to this challenge—but it must be implemented thoughtfully. For example, some areas in Iowa are seeing farmland converted into massive data centers, displacing food production. This ironic twist—tech infrastructure overtaking ag land—poses a long-term risk if not managed properly.
Additionally, Curtis brings attention to the role of migrant labor in food production, particularly in processing facilities and seasonal harvesting. These workers form the backbone of the U.S. agricultural economy, yet political instability and immigration policies threaten their presence. “If they go away,” Curtis warns, “who’s going to do that work?” It’s not just a labor issue—it’s an economic and community sustainability issue as well.
CBAN: Supporting Community-Led Broadband
The final segment of the episode turns to the upcoming CBAN/IAMU 2025 Spring Summit, scheduled for April 22–23 in Ames, Iowa. This year’s event will feature joint programming from CBAN and the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities, covering a wide range of topics relevant to broadband providers, municipal leaders, and community organizations.
Curtis previews some of the key sessions, including:
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Open Access Networks – strategies for unlocking competitive, community-centered broadband models.
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Big Data & Big Broadband – exploring how rural communities can attract and support smaller data centers.
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Evaluating OSS/BSS Systems – helping providers streamline operations, billing, and customer experience.
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Keynotes from Deb Socia and Dr. Christopher Ali – thought leaders in broadband equity and technology policy.
He also emphasizes that the CBAN community isn’t just made up of broadband providers—it includes municipalities, nonprofits, and vendors, all working together to solve challenges and share best practices. “Our members are mentoring each other,” Curtis says. “No broad brushes here—we learn from each other’s mistakes and move forward smarter.”
Final Thoughts: Raising the Bar with Broadband
Throughout the episode, Curtis and Brad return to a core belief: broadband is more than infrastructure—it’s a catalyst for innovation, sustainability, and community growth. Whether it’s used to optimize a lettuce field in Colorado or help a rural town attract its first data center, broadband opens doors for economic resilience and smarter living.
“Use the tools that are available to raise the bar,” Curtis says. “Whatever your role—whether you’re running a nonprofit or doing a podcast—don’t just use AI to cut corners. Use it to do more and do better.”
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