You glimpse the moment an 86-year-old farmer turns down more than $15 million and you start to rethink what matters. He chose to protect 261 acres of family land rather than sell to developers planning an AI data center, and that decision reshapes the local landscape and the conversation about progress versus preservation.
He sold development rights through a conservation easement so the farm stays in agricultural use forever, not a server farm, and that choice reveals how one person can influence community priorities and land use.
Explore how the offer unfolded, why he said no, and what preserving that land means for the township’s future as the article walks through the $15 million offer, his motivations, and the broader impact on the community.
The $15 Million Offer and Mervin Raudabaugh’s Decision
Mervin Raudabaugh faced a high-stakes choice about his 261 acres near Harrisburg: a multimillion-dollar purchase offer from data center developers, or keeping the land in farming hands through a conservation sale. He chose preservation and sold development rights to a farmland trust.
Details of the Proposed Data Center Sale
Developers approached the 86-year-old farmer with an offer that totaled about $15.7 million — roughly $60,000 per acre — to convert his contiguous 261 acres into a hyperscale data center site. The proposal reflected a broader rush for land by large tech-related projects that need flat parcels, power access, and water resources.
Local reporting noted the offer came amid nearby data center construction and rising land values driven by such projects. Financial pressure made the sum attractive: for many farm families, $60,000 per acre could solve long-term debts or fund retirements. Raudabaugh’s parcel had the mix of size and location that developers prize.
Why the Offer Was Rejected
Raudabaugh declined the offer despite its size. He told reporters he didn’t want to “destroy” the farms and prioritized keeping the land in agriculture. Rather than sell outright, he sold development rights for under $2 million to a trust that legally prevents non-farming development.
Community concerns about data centers — including electricity and water use, visual impacts, and rapid loss of farmland — helped frame his decision. Coverage from local outlets like Fox43 and regional news emphasized that his choice reflected both personal values and growing public pushback against converting prime farmland to industrial uses.
Land’s Sentimental and Family Value
The farm carried six decades of family labor, memories, and wildlife habitat that Raudabaugh said he wanted to preserve for future generations. He described the property as a refuge for wildlife and an essential part of his family’s identity, making the $15 million offer emotionally fraught.
Selling development rights to the Lancaster Farmland Trust (reported by regional outlets) ensured the land stays in agricultural use while providing some financial return. Raudabaugh acknowledged that not every family could refuse such an offer, noting broader economic strains on the American farm family and the tough choices farmers face today.
Farmland Preservation and the Impact on the Local Community
The decision kept a working family farm intact, protected local water and soils, and redirected potential tax and traffic impacts away from Silver Spring Township. It also activated local preservation mechanisms and drew attention to regional development pressures.
How the Lancaster Farmland Trust Secured the Land
Lancaster Farmland Trust negotiated directly with the owner to acquire development rights, using a mix of private funds and county/state program payments. They worked with Jeff Swinehart and the farmer’s legal team to draft terms that prohibited subdivision and non‑agricultural development while leaving farming operations unchanged.
The land trust coordinated an appraisal, title review, and a monitoring plan that schedules annual visits to ensure compliance. They also secured funding through a land preservation program and tapped local donors to cover transaction costs, avoiding immediate budgetary strain on township services.
The Role of Conservation Easements
A conservation easement placed on the property permanently limits uses such as commercial buildings and hyperscale data centers, while allowing continued agricultural practices. The easement specifies permitted activities, access rights, and enforcement remedies if terms are violated.
Easements are recorded with county deeds, which helps preserve property tax treatment favorable to farms and maintain the rural character valued by Lancaster County residents. The land trust retains monitoring and enforcement authority, and can pursue legal action if necessary to stop impermissible development.
Data Center Development Trends in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has seen rising interest from hyperscale and regional data center developers seeking large, flat parcels with robust power and fiber access. Developers increasingly target outskirts of towns where land is cheaper, creating direct competition with farmland near places like Silver Spring Township.
Local officials now balance tax revenue promises against infrastructure costs and community priorities. Lancaster’s experience shows that active farmland preservation and coordinated easement use can block conversion of prime agricultural land to data centers, shifting developers to sites with fewer regulatory or preservation obstacles.
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