Carter Farms: A Five-Generation Farm Threatened by Data Center Expansion in Virginia

Michael Carter Jr. is the fifth generation to steward his family land in Unionville, Virginia, with his young sons in line to join him as the sixth generation. But a proposed transmission line tied to the region’s growing data center industry threatens the future of his farm, and farms across the region from West Virginia to Maryland. Michael is working to make sure his family’s land, history and agricultural legacy aren’t lost forever. Video produced and directed by Susan Steiner. This video aired during the Press Event, which took place on-stage before Farm Aid 2026. Learn more about Farm Aid 2026 at https://farmaid.org/2026 Farm Aid's mission is to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Margo Price and Nathaniel Rateliff host an annual festival to raise funds to support Farm Aid's work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family farm food. Since 1985, Farm Aid, with the support of the artists who contribute their performances each year, has raised more than $90 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms.