A farmer turned $15 million to prevent his land from becoming a data center.

A Pennsylvania farmer sacrificed $15 million to save his family’s heritage from data center developers.

Mervin Raudabaugh has called his family farm in Silver Spring Township home for 51 years, but to tech developers, the land was simply the perfect site for a massive data center. In a move that stunned the real estate industry, Raudabaugh turned down a staggering $15 million offer from developers. Instead, he sold the development rights to the Lancaster Farmland Trust for approximately $2 million. This choice, solidified through a conservation easement, ensures that the land can only ever be used for farming, effectively trading a massive fortune for the permanent protection of his family's legacy.

The road to preservation was not easy, as Raudabaugh faced intense pressure and alleged harassment from developers seeking to capitalize on the property’s location. However, his decision aligns with a long-standing community commitment to land conservation, where local voters have even dedicated tax dollars to protecting rural landscapes. While the farmer could have walked away a multi-millionaire, he prioritized the peace of knowing his family barn—where he shared his final moments with his mother—would remain standing. In an era of rapid digital expansion, Raudabaugh’s sacrifice serves as a powerful reminder that some things are truly priceless.

source: WFLA. (2026). Man turns down $15M to prevent farmland from becoming data center.