(NAFB) – Rural communities need help with infrastructure and labor, according to the head of the American Farm Bureau Federation, and they may start to get it soon.

Farm Bureau President Zippy Duval told House Ag lawmakers recently, rural America suffers from more than poverty and food insecurity, but also from a lack of labor and the “digital divide” in broadband infrastructure.

The latest covid relief bill has more than $7.5 billion dollars for broadband for schools and libraries.

The FCC has 60 days under the new covid relief bill, to set up an Emergency Connectivity Fund of $7.6 billion for computers and broadband service for students and library patrons.

The House this week could also take up the Farm Workforce Modernization Act to help meet a shortage of migrant farm labor, though the bigger hurdle is in the 50-50 Senate where 60-votes are needed to pass most major legislation.