Farmer owner has blunt six-word response to $26 million offer to convert their land into data center
A Kentucky farmer and her mother rejected a $26 million offer to sell their 463-acre family farm for a 2.2-gigawatt hyperscale data center. They changed their minds after learning about the proposed land use and expressed strong opposition due to environmental concerns, electricity demand, water consumption, and noise pollution from data centers. The family, who has farmed the land for 200 years, told the company's representative to "Kick rocks and don't come back."
Delsia Bare and her mother, Ida Huddleston, farmers in Kentucky, rescinded their agreement to sell their 463 acres for $26 million to an unnamed company planning to build a 2.2-gigawatt hyperscale data center. Initially accepting the offer, which was well above market value, the women reversed their decision upon discovering the land's intended use.
Bare expressed her opposition to becoming part of an "AI hub," citing concerns about the environmental impact, enormous electricity demands, water consumption, and incessant noise associated with data centers. Her mother echoed these sentiments, highlighting worries about food and water scarcity and potential chemical pollutants. The family, having farmed the land for 200 years and even relying on it during the Great Depression, prioritized their homestead over the financial windfall.
Upon finalizing the cancellation of the sale, Bare delivered a blunt six-word message to the company's representative: "Kick rocks and don't come back." The women indicated they were unbothered by the loss of millions, preferring to maintain their way of life and uphold their personal beliefs.