5 things to know about data centers
Artificial intelligence is driving a nationwide data center boom, and rural communities are increasingly on the front lines. This week, reporter Juan Vassallo is building on his recent investigation into Oklahoma’s regulatory gaps (that leaves data center water usage largely untrackable) by stepping back and looking at the bigger picture.
In this week’s explainer, Juan breaks down five things to know about the country’s data center boom, from why these facilities use so much water to why rural communities are pushing back.
— Lauren Cross, assitstant editor & audience manager
DATA HARVEST: Illinois led the US in direct, producer support staff losses, report says
By Nikoel Hytrek, Investigate Midwest
Illinois lost more Farm Service Agency staff in 2025 than any other state, according to a June report from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. Those losses followed federal cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and various sub-agencies under the department’s umbrella.
The data shows that 51 FSA county staff in 41 counties across the state were cut in Illinois. The coalition obtained the information with a Freedom of Information Act request.
“While our previous post showed that all USDA agencies lost staff during 2025, losses of direct farmer-support staff at the Farm Service Agency (FSA) are particularly concerning as farmers face an ongoing crisis and struggle to stay on the land,” the authors wrote.
The nationwide report includes every state, and Investigate Midwest analyzed the Illinois numbers.
ICYMI: Oklahoma’s ban on Chinese-owned farmland excludes Smithfield Foods
China owns only a tiny fraction of Oklahoma's foreign-held farmland. Yet fear over Chinese land ownership continues to drive legislation. Our investigation from December 2025 explores the gap between the political messaging, the data and a special carve-out for Chinese-owned Smithfield Foods.
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