Ohio Farm Bureau says increased data center development could impact farmland access

The president of the Ohio Farm Bureau, Bill Patterson, has expressed significant apprehension regarding the escalating development of data centers within Ohio, stating it poses a threat to the state's agricultural production and farmers' access to land. Patterson noted the persistent struggle farmers face in affording and retaining their land, which is now exacerbated by data centers' competitive bids for the same acreage, potentially undermining the long-term health of the agricultural sector. Brad Bales, also quoted in the article, emphasized the immediate need for a comprehensive, long-term solution. He questioned the necessity of potentially 200 data centers and whether their presence would lead to increased energy costs for Ohio residents. Bales further highlighted concerns about the impact on water quality across the state, indicating that the Farm Bureau is currently engaged in fact-finding to address these critical questions raised by its members. The article also referenced Governor DeWine's prior veto of legislation that would have placed restrictions on sales tax exemptions for data centers. Both Farm Bureau representatives suggested that empowering local municipalities with greater control over land use decisions could be instrumental in safeguarding the future of Ohio's agricultural industry.