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FORTUNE.COM // JANUARY 2020
must be connected. We
must address accessibility
in rural areas and afford-
ability in urban areas. Less
than 2% of the population
provides the nation with
safe and affordable food.
The health of their com-
munities is vital to the food
security of the nation.
But today, one in four
children in rural Americaenabled by all of us.
Today, 24 million
Americans, 80% of them
in rural areas, do not have
access to high-speed Inter-
net—the greatest enabler
of human connection in
our lifetime. It is to our
times what electricity and
transportation were to our
grandparents.
In 10 years, all AmericaD
IVISION IS ALL
around us today.
Rural versus urban.
Heartland versus coasts.
Boomer versus Gen Z.
Republican versus Demo-
crat. To ensure prosperity
a decade from now, we
need connection. Literal
connection, enabled by
technology and investment,
and human connection,
BE TH FORD
THE 2020s WILL CONNECT RURAL AMERICAÑOR LOSE ITLess than 2% of
the population
provides the nation
with safe and
affordable food.
And, argues Ford,
these people are
in danger of being
cut off.20 IDEAS THAT WILL SHAPE THE 2020sTECH AND A.I.
A majority of
farmers in
places like
Rudd, Iowa,
struggle with
connectivit y.