Balancing act: What data centers could mean for farm community

Demand for data centers is accelerating as cloud computing, artificial intelligence and other digital services expand. For agriculture, this trend presents both opportunity and risk.

Farms and ranches depend on land, water and energy, the same inputs data centers require at scale. At the same time, agriculture increasingly depends on the digital infrastructure data centers provide.

The central question is how to integrate them into rural America without compromising agricultural productivity and community stability?

The American Farm Bureau Federation estimates that there are 4,925 active or under construction data centers across the country — large, secure facilities that house computers and servers used to store, process and manage vast amounts of digital data.

These facilities, often requiring hundreds of megawatts of power, are increasingly sited in rural areas where land availability, energy access and proximity to transmission infrastructure make development feasible.

Data centers represent multibillion-dollar investments that can bring jobs, tax revenue and infrastructure improvements to rural communities.

But farmland conversion is generally permanent. Once converted to industrial use, farmland is rarely returned to production — making site selection and land-use policy critical for long-term agricultural viability.

At the same time, modern agriculture is deeply connected to the digital economy. Precision agriculture, cloud-based management tools and real-time data analytics all rely on robust data infrastructure.

Balanced policy and local engagement are essential to ensure rural communities benefit without undermining agriculture.

Americans Are Eating More Meat Than Ever

As Memorial Day ushers in the summer grilling season, the meat case reflects strong demand meeting constrained and evolving supply.

Beef remains the centerpiece of many cookouts, but record-high prices and historically tight cattle inventories continue to challenge both consumers and producers.

Beef prices continue to set records driven by strong demand and the smallest U.S. cattle herd in 75 years — a result of years of drought and elevated operating costs that have led farmers to liquidate their herds.

Pork offers relative value and stability, supported by efficient production and strong export markets, even as producers navigate ongoing disease risks.

Slightly higher pork prices reflect a balanced supply of hogs and growing consumer demand. Despite disease challenges, hog farmers are producing more with a smaller breeding herd.

Meanwhile, chicken stands out as the most accessible option, with steady production growth and modest prices, helping maintain its place as America’s most-consumed protein.

This is thanks to the poultry farmers who continue to exercise vigilant biosecurity measures in the fight against highly pathogenic avian influenza.

All three meats have one thing in common: growing demand. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is forecasting a rise in U.S. consumption of beef, pork and chicken in 2026 — all staples for summertime cookouts.

According to the Meat Institute, meat sales hit a record-high $112 billion in 2025 with more than 98% of American households purchasing meat for daily meals.

Despite higher costs, supply disruptions and ongoing production challenges, families trust America’s farmers and ranchers to grow the food they put on the grill and on dinner tables across the country.

For farmers and ranchers, meeting that demand requires navigating drought, disease and rising production costs — factors that will shape not just this grilling season, but the years ahead.

James Henry is the executive editor of Illinois AgriNews and Indiana AgriNews.