AG Outlook 10-15-2020

Access to telemedicine and distance learning is crucial to building healthier and more resilient communities. That’s according to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue as he this month announced 116 projects worth $72 million across the country. Michigan is among states receiving funding. A Ferris State grant will enable 5,000 high school students in 11 rural counties to benefit from STEM classes. The university will provide a 15 percent match for the grant which goes to cover the $770,000 used to deploy the necessary technology. In other rural areas of the country telemedicine clinics are being put on school campuses. This should help in earlier treatment of students showing signs of illness. With the presence of COVID such initiatives couldn’t have come at a better time.