US Farmers Are Rejecting Multimillion-Dollar Datacenter Bids For Their Land

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by BeauHD

February 24, 2026

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Tech giants racing to secure land for massive datacenters face unexpected resistance from rural farmers, who are turning down multimillion-dollar offers to keep their family lands intact. The article highlights the story of Ida Huddleston, a Kentucky farmer who rejected a $33 million offer for her 650-acre farm, which has been in her family for generations. Similar rejections have occurred across the U.S., with farmers in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin declining offers worth $15 million and $80 million respectively. These refusals underscore the growing clash between technological expansion and deeply rooted connections to land and identity. The demand for farmland for datacenter development is soaring globally, with projections showing a need for 40,000 acres over the next five years—double the current usage. Tech companies are scrambling to secure sites that provide reliable power, minimal environmental disruption, and proximity to major markets. However, many landowners view these offers through a different lens. For them, the land represents not just economic opportunity but a centuries-old connection to their heritage, community, and way of life. As one farmer put it, "You don't have enough to buy me out. I'm not for sale." The refusal of these offers reveals a critical tension in the tech industry's push for AI-driven progress. While companies may see land as a resource to be bought and sold, farmers like Huddleston prioritize identity and legacy over financial gain. This standoff highlights the physical limitations of AI's growth—tech advancements are not just about algorithms and innovation but also depend on tangible resources

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Originally published on Slashdot on 2/24/2026