Andy Masley shares a thought-provoking perspective on land use and technology. His quote challenges common fears about farmland being lost to data centers and big tech investments. It highlights the need to look at the bigger picture when discussing land and agriculture.

Farmland Sales and Agricultural Productivity

Between 2000 and 2024, farmers sold a vast amount of land, comparable in size to Colorado, on their own. During this period, they also sold land in 2028 that was all on data center property. Despite these large sales, farmers continued to grow more food than ever on the remaining land. This shows that farmland sales haven’t harmed US food supply or access.

Masley points out that agricultural productivity has increased even as land transactions have grown. The idea that farmland is running out or being depleted is not supported by these facts. Instead, farmers are making better use of land, and technology is helping boost food production.

The Land Use Debate and Tech Expansion

Masley addresses a common argument against building data centers and hyperscalers — that they take away valuable farmland. He shares a story about a farmer in Loudoun County who sold a small hay field to a tech giant for ten times its agricultural value. The reaction from some is that this will worsen farmland shortages, but Masley questions this view.

He suggests that the focus on individual land sales can be misleading. Land is a finite resource, but its use is evolving. The sale of a few acres for tech infrastructure does not necessarily mean farmland is disappearing or that food security is at risk. Instead, it points to a shift in how land is valued and used, often driven by economic factors.

This perspective encourages a broader look at how technology and agriculture can coexist. It argues that proper planning and understanding of land markets are key to balancing development with food security.

Overall, Masley’s quote pushes back against the idea that data centers are draining farmland resources. His data shows that farmers are growing more food despite large land sales, and that the debate around land use should consider economic realities and technological progress. It’s a reminder that land management is complex and not solely about preserving farmland in its traditional sense.

Inspired by

• https://simonwillison.net/2026/May/4/andy-masley/#atom-everything

Sources

• fandf.co
• andymasley.com