Home » A boom in data centers to power AI could raise water and energy costs

A boom in data centers to power AI could raise water and energy costs

02/04/26 7:03 AM By Brad Hooker

As data centers multiply, farmers and food processors are questioning whether the digital economy’s water and energy appetite will drive up utility bills for agriculture.

Brad Hooker
Sacramento Bureau Chief,
Agri-Pulse West

Agri-Pulse Open Mic: Mike Joyner - Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association

This week's Open Mic guest is Mike Joyner, President of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association. At a time when more Americans are turning more health conscious by adding fruits and vegetables to their diets, many of the nation's specialty crop growers are struggling to survive. Joyner says the volume of imports from Mexico and other countries continues to grow, depressing opportunities for domestic growers. Specialty crop growers face ongoing challenges in finding an adequate workforce and support legislative efforts to revise the nation's H-2A regulations. Joyner says specialty crop growers need better crop insurance coverage options and hope future assistance programs are more equitable for fruit and vegetable farmers.

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07.03.2026

Agri-Pulse Newsmakers: Thompson on ag labor bill, USDA Undersecretary Dudley Hoskins on NWS response

House Ag Committee Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson introduced the Save Agriculture’s Workforce Act this week. He comes to the studio to discuss how it would significantly expand and modernize the H-2A agricultural guest worker program. Plus, USDA APHIS Undersecretary Dudley Hoskins provides an update on New World screwworm response and the factors being considered to reopen the Southern border to cattle imports.

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