04/23/2026
Earth day feels like a good time to reflect on the land we share and the responsibility we all have to protect it.
I grew up on Olney Farm along with my three sisters and now I’m raising the next generation here. The farm was purchased by my great grandfather in the early 1800’s and the plan has always been to continue the traditions that it was built upon. To ensure that we could do that and protect the farm from development, my grandmother and parents put it in the Agricultural Land Preservation program in 1991.
But it has recently come to light that there is a real possibility of a large data center being built right across the street from our farm, on land that is zoned agricultural. Not only would this be devastating to Olney and our family, but also to all the neighbors that surround the golf course. It also doesn’t align with the agricultural heritage that is Harford County. Enormous industrial complexes, like the one proposed, put a massive strain on local resources, consume immense amounts of energy and drive up local demand and utility rates. On top of that, cooling units generate persistent, high noise levels, causing major concern among anyone who lives nearby. Some residents have reported hearing or feeling vibration up to 5 miles in quiet, rural areas. And the truth is, we don’t even know that true environmental impact yet! We do know that beyond carbon, data centers release localized pollutants that affect air quality and physical construction and operation of these facilities can directly harm local plants and animals.
This isn’t about just one project, it’s about the gradual pressure on the agricultural heritage and communities that Harford County was built on.
Earth day is about making choices that protect the land and the people who depend on it!
If Olney and keeping Harford County green matters to you, I hope you’ll pay attention and stay engaged. Join the page “Our Land. Our Home. Our Harford.” And sign the petition!
Happy Earth Day 🌎
Stop Data Centers in Harford County, MD