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Data centers have Farmers Union members concerned

The rapid development of data centers has Wisconsin Farmers Union members hoping for restrictions to protect farmland and natural resources.  President Darin Von Ruden tells Brownfield delegates passed new policy at their annual convention Sunday addressing data center issues. “We’re seeing some really good farmland around the state in different areas that could be threatened by that, and how do you get those centers to not gobble up 40 or 50 acres of prime farmland is the big concern.”

Von Ruden says the threat of new data centers to farmland, water, and energy costs is a new issue that developed quickly. “They use a lot of electricity, so how is that going to affect the local communities? Are there going have to be some transmission lines put in? Who’s going to pay for those? It really shouldn’t be the general consumer in that area. These centers really should be paying for their own transportation system in for the electricity.”

Von Ruden says Farmers Union members are not comfortable with constructing data centers, but realize they’re coming, so the key is to help governing bodies set policy that protects land and water resources, keeps electric costs stable, and prevents taxpayers from subsidizing data center construction.

Several delegates support the concept of Wisconsin Senate Bill 729, also called the Data Center Accountability Bill which has a companion bill in the State Assembly.  If passed, it would require data centers to be transparent about water and energy use, require at least 70 percent of their electricity from renewable energy to qualify for state tax exemptions, contribute to the Focus on Energy fund, and require data centers to pay workers at or above the prevailing wage level.

Wisconsin Farmers Union delegates also passed policy language addressing the state’s proposed animal inspection fees and language calling for the removal of hydroponic growers from organic certification.  The members decided their four special orders of business for staff to work on in 2026 are concentration in agriculture, rural health care and the loss of Affordable Health Care Act subsidies, protection of immigrant rights, and dairy policy reform.

AUDIO: Wisconsin Farmers Union President Darin Von Ruden discusses policy changes and additions after their state convention with Brownfield’s Larry Lee