Innovations                                                                       

CCNet Cyberfarm
Champaign County group bringing the future to farming

John Reifsteck farms several hundred acres of corn and soybeans on his family farm in Champaign County. In his second year using the GPS and GIS technology to control the amount of fertilizer and herbicide he puts on his crops, Reifsteck has data on corn yields that give him a clear picture of expected bushels per acre — row by row in full-color graphics. "The Cooperative Extension system was developed at the beginning of this century to help farmers solve problems and be more productive," says Reifsteck. "This technology is the evolution of that system."

"Cyberfarm" is a term used by the Champaign County Network to describe farming methods using technology that includes the Internet, but goes beyond it. "The same technology that allowed U.S. fighter pilots to put a missile in Saddam Hussein's window can point Illinois farmers to trouble areas in their fields," says Chris Schroeder, a member of CCNet.

The basic tools for the cyberfarm are the computer with links to the world through the Internet, geographic information systems (GIS) software and earth-orbiting satellites.

The CCNet project was launched and is guided by local business and education leaders with the purpose of steering Champaign County "onto the global electronic superhighway." This spring, after spending two years organizing and planning, CCNet attracted the interest of Ameritech and Motorola.

The two cornmunications giants brought in hardware and software to make the county a test site for providing services to a mass market. Now local businesses, government offices, schools, hospitals and more than 3,000 residents are linked through a local branch of the Internet.

John Reifsteck, a Champaign County farmer and member of CCNet, is experimenting with the technology. He uses a Global Positioning System (GPS), established by the U.S. government, to pinpoint areas in his fields for soil sampling. Using the GIS program, he generates soil test maps that tell him what areas need more, or less, fertilizer and pesticides. A computer on his combine uses GPS to record data on yields while he is in the field, and the GIS software analyzes and interprets the data, presenting it to him in full-color graphics.

In addition, Reifsteck says that with his computer hooked up to the World Wide Web through the Internet, he is virtually in touch with the world. He can get weather, crop and market reports instantly. He can talk with neighbors, landlords or farm managers, giving information and getting answers with no time lag. He can access his accounts at his local elevator, review a chemical company's latest recommendations for a specific herbicide, or get advice by sending a picture of a problem weed or pest to experts at the University of Illinois or the University of South Africa.

"With the innovations and advances that have taken place in the production of agriculture in the past five years, I think Congress would he remiss if the 1995 Farm Bill did not address technology in some way, shape or form." — U.S. Rep. Richard Durbin, ranking Democratic member on the House Agriculture and Rural Development subcommittee. The 1995 Farm Bill will be considered by Congress this fall.

Ag group first in state to train farmers to use information highway

McLean County Farm Bureau is offering its members the opportunity to purchase access to the Internet at discount prices — the first bureau office in the state to do so, according to Mike Swartz, coordinator of the project. Farmers can get instant access to local grain prices at 14 elevators in the county, as well as the latest weather forecast and legislative updates on issues before Congress. The McLean County Farm Bureau home page also offers links to agricultural information at several universities and a subject search on the World Wide Web. Swartz says that for those who want to get started learning what is available through the Internet, the bureau has a computer available for the public to experiment with the technology. For those Farm Bureau members ready to get online, the local provider is offering a 20 percent discount. Unlimited use costs $22.50 a month. The McLean County Farm Bureau's Internet address is: http://www.dave-world.-netlilfarmlmc-leani.html.

Lawmakers approve a monument for farmers

Members of the Illinois House and Senate have passed a joint resolution to create and erect on the state Capitol grounds a statue "symbolizing and recognizing the Illinois farmer, and the contributions the agricultural community has made in improving the quality of life for every citizen of the state of Illinois." A steering committee, chaired by Earl Struck, vice president of the Association of Illinois Electrical Cooperatives, is working to raise the more than $250,000 needed to complete the project.

4/August 1995/Illinois Issues