An 86-year-old farmer was offered $15 million to build a data center. He said no

A Pennsylvania farmer's decision to reject a $15 million offer for his land highlights a growing tension between agricultural needs and the burgeoning demand for data center infrastructure, particularly for AI applications. This case underscores the significant land requirements and development pressures faced by the digital economy as it expands its physical footprint. The offer, which equated to $60,000 per 4,000 square meters, was intended for the construction of a data center to support artificial intelligence computing. The farmer, Mervin Raudabaugh, who has cultivated his 100-hectare property for 60 years, ultimately refused the proposal, citing a dedication to his lifelong agricultural pursuits and family heritage. Raudabaugh's refusal positions him as a symbol of resistance against the relentless expansion of digital infrastructure into rural landscapes. This scenario raises questions about the prioritization of land use, as the insatiable appetite for data processing power clashes with established agricultural and environmental concerns.