Ohio farmer's field sends a message to data centers - and politicians
Activists unveiled a one-acre earthwork opposing data center development in a hayfield in Clearcreek Township, Warren County, Ohio. The artwork was created ahead of an election in which 18 Ohio municipalities were set to vote on data center-related measures, reflecting growing concerns among rural farmers about land, energy and water use.
A one-acre earthwork opposing data centers was carved into a hayfield off Bunnell Hill Road in Clearcreek Township, north of Cincinnati. The artwork depicts the shape of Ohio, a farmer, a cow and a sign reading "Not for Sale to Data Centers." Artist Stan Herd and a team of about eight people created it using mowing, weed-whacking, mulch, corn and other natural materials.
The project was commissioned by Data Center Payoffs, a group that tracks political donations from companies behind data centers, and was unveiled during a No Data Centers/Save Our Land rally attended by U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman. Farmer Leslie Nogle, who provided the land, said data centers have become a bipartisan concern among Ohio farmers because rural areas offer large amounts of land for energy- and water-intensive developments. The earthwork was completed before an election involving data center measures in 18 Ohio municipalities.