Data centers are expanding nationwide, bringing opportunities and challenges to rural communities. During this year’s Beef Industry University at the KLA Convention & Expo, November 18-20 in Manhattan, livestock producers will hear from two speakers on what these projects could mean for their operations and communities.
Sponsored by the Farm Credit Associations of Kansas, the Thursday morning session will feature Robin Roberts and Autumn Lankford Higgins, who will discuss the factors driving data center development and what producers should consider when projects are proposed in their areas. Topics will include utility usage, zoning regulations and noise levels.
Roberts, a rural Kansas native, brings decades of experience in business leadership and the data center industry. He began his career as a diesel mechanic and advanced to chief operating officer of a multinational corporation before purchasing Central Power Systems & Services, based in Kansas City, in 2015.
Higgins joined the American Farm Bureau Federation in 2025 as director of government affairs. Her work focuses on federal agricultural policy issues, including technology, rural development, broadband connectivity and regulatory engagement.
To register for the convention or to book a hotel room, click here . The pre-registration deadline is October 30. Prices will increase after that date.