Key Takeaways
- Emergent Connext has partnered with Microsoft’s Airband initiative and ISP Cal.net to extend rural IoT connectivity across unconnected farmland in California.
- The collaboration will provide broadband access to support precision agriculture and sustainable farming practices.
- Initial education and training programs for farmers will launch in California’s Central Valley in summer 2025.
- Farmers will gain access to IoT solutions that improve irrigation, reduce input costs, and enhance crop and livestock monitoring.
- Microsoft emphasized the partnership’s role in promoting digital equity, climate resilience, and rural economic development.
Emergent Connext and Microsoft Partner to Build Rural IoT Infrastructure
Emergent Connext, Inc. announced a new collaboration with Microsoft to build out a rural Internet of Things (IoT) network across large portions of California’s farmland. The initiative, launched in partnership with Microsoft’s Airband program and Cal.net, will bring broadband access and digital tools to underserved farming communities, enabling the adoption of Smart Farming technologies.
The network will cover thousands of square miles in California’s Central Valley, where growers have historically lacked reliable internet connectivity. The project aims to empower farmers with tools that rely on real-time data to improve resource efficiency and productivity.
“Thanks to our work with Microsoft, we’re accelerating the IoT network buildout, and more importantly, we are creating a digital foundation for smarter, more sustainable farming,” said Mike Roudi, CEO of Emergent Connext.
Emergent Connext: Smart Farming Enablement Through Connectivity
With its new rural IoT network, Emergent Connext aims to address key challenges faced by agricultural producers by supporting the implementation of advanced data-driven solutions. These include:
- Real-time irrigation and soil moisture management to reduce water use
- Targeted application of fertilizers and pesticides to lower input costs
- Remote crop and field condition monitoring to boost yields and reduce manual labor
- Livestock tracking using smart ear tags and collars
- Monitoring of liquid storage and tank levels to cut operational expenses
“Connectivity is a powerful enabler of sustainability—whether it’s empowering farmers with precision agriculture solutions or supporting climate resilience,” said Vickie Robinson, General Manager at Microsoft. “We’re expanding broadband access and helping equip growers with the tools they need to thrive in a connected, data-driven world.”
Education and Activation Programs to Begin in 2025
To complement infrastructure deployment, Emergent Connext will also introduce educational and activation initiatives starting in summer 2025. These programs will train farmers in California’s Central Valley on the use of IoT-enabled systems, accelerating the region’s transition to Smart Farming practices.
The joint effort will focus not only on expanding physical network coverage but also on ensuring that growers can fully utilize the digital tools made available through the collaboration.
