Two veteran farmers in Kentucky are holding their ground despite a multimillion-dollar offer from a major tech company.
A farming family in Kentucky has revealed a deeply personal reason behind their decision to walk away from a massive financial deal. A Fortune 100 tech company approached them with plans to purchase part of their land for a large-scale data center, but the family chose to protect their farm instead.
At the center of the story is 82-year-old Ida Huddleston and her daughter, Delsia Bare, who owns most of the 534-acre property in northern Kentucky. The offer placed before them—an astonishing $26 million—was reportedly about ten times higher than the land’s estimated value.
Still, the answer was no.
Huddleston and Bare are among a growing number of farmers refusing to sell, even as tech giants aggressively seek land to expand infrastructure for artificial intelligence. While some landowners are cashing in, others are prioritizing heritage over high payouts.
For this family, the farm represents far more than acreage—it is a lifetime of labor, resilience, and identity. Bare made it clear that the decision went beyond financial considerations, stating: “If it’s my way, I’ll stay and hold and feed a nation. 26 million doesn’t mean anything.”
Ida’s daughter Delsia Bare also refused to sell
Their stance reflects a broader divide in rural communities, where lucrative offers are becoming more common. Some farmers are selling under pressure or opportunity, while others—like the Huddleston family—remain rooted in tradition despite ongoing efforts from developers.
Bare believes such offers fail to recognize the emotional and historical bond her family shares with the land. She explained: “As long as I’m on this land, as long as it’s feeding me, as long as it’s taking care of me, there’s nothing that can destroy me if I’ve got this land.”
She emphasized that their connection spans generations, adding: “My grandfather and great-grandfather and a whole bunch of family have all lived here for years, paid taxes on it, fed a nation off of it.”
Their legacy is also intertwined with key moments in American history. Bare highlighted her family’s role during times of hardship, saying: “Even raised wheat through the Depression and kept bread lines up in the United States of America when people didn’t have anything else.”
Meanwhile, the tech company continues exploring land acquisitions in the region and has reportedly sought access to significant power resources to support its plans. But Huddleston, shaped by decades of experience, remains resolute.
Having witnessed sweeping changes over the years, she isn’t prepared to let go now. She addressed critics directly, saying: “They call us old stupid farmers, you know, but we’re not.”
“We know whenever our food is disappearing, our lands are disappearing, and we don’t have any water—and that poison. Well, we know we’ve had it.”
When asked whether a data center might bring jobs or economic growth, Huddleston rejected the idea outright, calling it a ‘scam’. She added: “I say they’re a liar, and the truth isn’t in them.”
Even if nearby landowners decide to sell, opening the door for development in the area, Bare says her decision won’t change. Her commitment reflects a deep-rooted determination to preserve what her family has built.
Describing her connection to the land, she said: “As she was attached to that land, her spirit never would die. That’s the exact same thing for me right here.”
“As long as I’m on this land—as long as it’s feeding me—as long as it’s taking care of me—there’s nothing that can destroy me if I’ve got this land.”
