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‘They call us old stupid farmers, you know, but we’re not’: Family declines $26 million offer to convert their farmland into an AI data center
pcgamer.com Aug 7, 2026

‘They call us old stupid farmers, you know, but we’re not’: Family declines $26 million offer to convert their farmland into an AI data center

Curated by · TechCapsules ·

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Ida Huddleston and her daughter Delsia Bare, owners of a 1,200-acre farm in Northern Kentucky, rejected a $26 million offer from an unnamed company to convert half their land into an AI data center. The bid, reported by WKRC-TV Local 12, valued the property at approximately ten times its estimated market rate of $6,000 per acre. Bare stated the family intends to "stay and hold and feed a nation," emphasizing their multi-generational history of raising wheat, including during the Great Depression. Huddleston dismissed the proposal as a scam, expressing skepticism about promised economic growth and citing concerns over water scarcity and environmental impact. The family believes the development would threaten local food security and land integrity. Bare noted that dozens of landowners have been approached by the anonymous buyer, who reportedly represents a major AI firm. Despite the substantial financial incentive, the Huddleston family prioritizes their agricultural legacy and community stability over the lucrative technology sector investment.

💡 Why It Matters

  • · The rejection underscores a growing tension between rapid AI infrastructure expansion and rural land preservation.
  • · It demonstrates that financial incentives alone cannot override deep-seated community values and historical ties to agricultural land.
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