Data center expansion sparks protests across rural United States

Protests against the expansion of data centers are increasing across the United States as rural communities and farmers voice opposition to the impact on energy prices, air and water quality, and agricultural land. In several states, including Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, farmers have reportedly rejected multimillion-dollar offers from tech companies and institutional investors to convert farmland into data center sites.

Amy Kremer, chair of the organization Humans First, is coordinating a national protest tour to address what she describes as secret deals made through non-disclosure agreements and shell companies. Kremer argues that while data centers serve as the backbone for artificial intelligence, local communities are being excluded from the decision-making process. She has called for public votes to determine whether such infrastructure should be permitted in local areas.

Beyond the immediate environmental concerns, there is a growing trend of non-operating landlords acquiring farmland. According to the 2024 Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of Agricultural Land (TOTAL) Survey, 87% of the more than 2 million landowners renting out farmland are non-operators. The total value of farmland held for rent has risen to $1.7 trillion, reflecting a shift where land is increasingly used as a financial asset by private equity firms and billionaires.