High-speed always-on Internet service 50 times faster than dial-up

In an effort to help solve the slow Internet connectivity problem top growers have to deal with in rural America, Agristar Global Networks has been added to the Smart Potatoes, Grower Dividends and Sugarbeet Grower Reward Programs.  Growers earn points for participating crop protection purchases from Bayer CropScience, Crompton Crop Protection, Gustafson and Sipcam Agro USA, Inc. These points can be used to purchase merchandise for the farm, shop and office from the program catalog.

Members of reward programs can now use their points to purchase Agristar Global Networks’ systems, installation and service.  Existing Agristar customers can also use their points to purchase ongoing service.  “We are pleased to be selected to join these reward programs,” said Kip Pendleton, President and Co-CEO of Agristar Global Networks. “Potato, cereal and sugarbeet growers are sophisticated managers and increasingly rely on the Internet to get information.  We know we can make their job easier and more profitable by providing faster connectivity.” 

Agristar Global Networks satellite broadband Internet service delivers speeds 50 times faster than rural dial-up connections.  The Company is focused solely on rural America and the agricultural industry, providing high-speed, always-on Internet connectivity coupled with a wide range of business information and services including special ag news, weather and markets through www.myagristar.com. 

“The impact to our customers and their families from broadband can be huge,"  said Jeff Springsteen, Bayer CropScience Customer Relations Manager.   “Agristar has found  that there is more than a 300% increase in Internet use when growers go from dial-up service to using this  high-speed, always-on satellite system.  That is the kind of benefit and rewards we want to share with our reward program members.” 

For point values and products in the Smart Potatoes, Grower Dividends and Sugarbeet Grower Rewards portfolio, log on to www.smartpotatoes.com or www.growerdividends.com.  For more information about these reward programs, call 1-877-9POTATO (1-877-976-8286). Smart Potatoes is sponsored by Bayer CropScience, Crompton Crop Protection, Gustafson and Sipcam Agro USA, Inc.  Growers Dividends and Sugarbeet Grower Rewards are reward programs sponsored by Bayer CropScience and Gustafson.

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 Global Networks 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 two-way, high-speed satellite network system. The Company also provides broadband service to other types of businesses and residences throughout rural America. Agristar Global Networks has a 50-year history through its forerunner entities of developing pioneering communications and business advisory programs for the agricultural industry. These include the Top Farmers of America Association in the 1960’s, the first organization to provide business services for leading farm operations; Farm Futures in the 1970’s, the industry’s first risk management publication; AgriData Resources in the 1980’s, the first national computer network linking top farms; and American Land Resources in the 1990’s, the first investment banking entity to utilize national farmland databases to assemble investment-grade agricultural land funds. Agristar Global Networks is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with its national operations center located in St. Paul, Minnesota.