By Andi Anderson
Recent data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicates that foreign ownership of land in the U.S. has reached close to 2%, with over three million acres of farmland acquired in the past year alone.
This trend has stirred concerns within rural communities nationwide, prompting some states to enact measures aiming to restrict foreign entities from purchasing farmland. The bulk of the land held by foreigners in the U.S. is agricultural, encompassing farms and properties abundant in timber.
As of December 31, 2022, foreign investors had stakes in more than 43.4 million acres of agricultural land. The distribution included forest land constituting over 48%, cropland comprising over 28%, and approximately 21% designated for pasture and other agricultural uses.
The data has alarmed individuals like Indiana chicken farmer John Rust, who emphasized the significance of safeguarding the nation's food production. Rust, also a U.S. Senate candidate, expressed deep concern about nearly 30% of meat production being under foreign control.
In a separate instance, a Michigan township faced controversy over a project involving a Chinese-affiliated company constructing an electric battery plant. This decision led to the removal of the entire council, reflecting the tensions surrounding foreign investment in local ventures.
The USDA report notes that Canadian investors possess the largest share of reported foreign-held agricultural and non-agricultural land, owning 32% or 14.2 million acres. The increasing presence of foreign ownership in various sectors of U.S. land has raised questions about its potential impact on American interests and local communities.
Photo Credit: USDA
Categories: Indiana, Government & Policy