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NCGA Teams with AgriStar for High-Speed Internet Access
NCGA members offered discount on satellite-based service
January
7, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Contact:
Mimi Ricketts, NCGA, 636-733-9004
(ST.
LOUIS) February 7, 2003- The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA)
has entered into an agreement with AgriStar Global Networks to offer
high-speed Internet connectivity to the more than 32,000 NCGA members
through AgriStar's satellite-based communications service for agriculture.
Receiving information
at the speed of today's business is crucial to farmers.
"To stay on
top of the farming industry, growers need instant access to information
and high-speed connectivity enables quick access to e-mail and the web
and shorter download times," said NCGA Grower Services Chairman
Mark Garber. "Yet most rural areas do not have high-speed Internet
access readily available through cable or phone lines. This agreement
will encourage those members not taking advantage of the Internet to
do so."
The AgriStar Network
provides two-way, high-speed Internet connectivity using a satellite
based communications service for agriculture. Under the customized AgriStar
program, current and new NCGA members who sign up for at least a one-year
association membership will qualify for significant discounts on the
AgriStar Powered by DIRECWAYTM equipment and monthly service.
In addition to high-speed
connectivity to the NCGA web site, corn growers will have access to
agricultural information programs and business service offered by AgriStar.
These offerings include premium market and weather information.
"We're very
pleased to team up with NCGA and all of the state organizations"
said Kip Pendleton, president of AgriStar. "NCGA is one of the
largest and most successful commodity organizations in the industry
and their participation in the AgriStar Network will definitely improve
grower communication."
Pendleton said some
of the AgriStar features include download speeds of up to 20 times faster
than rural telephone connections, and the ability to access the Internet
without tying up a phone line.
NCGA members can
find more information on the AgriStar discount program under the Membership
page at www.ncga.com.
AgriStar Global
Networks, Ltd. is a satellite-based communications company established
to bridge the large connectivity gap between the world's commercial
farm and ranch operators and their primary trade partners throughout
the global food and fiber chain. AgriStar joined forces with Hughes
Network Systems to develop AgriStar Powered by DirecWay to integrate
leading commercial farms and ranches, agribusinesses and food companies
into a single two-way, high-speed independent satellite network system.
AgriStar has a 50-year history through its forerunner entities of developing
pioneering communications and business advisory programs for the agricultural
industry.
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The National Corn
Growers Association mission is to create and increase opportunities
for corn growers in a changing world and to enhance corn's profitability
and usage. NCGA represents more than 32,000 members, 25 affiliated state
corn grower organizations and hundreds of thousands of growers who contribute
to state checkoff programs.
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