The amount of farmland in the United States owned by foreign investors experienced a notable increase of over 8% in 2022, raising concerns about national security implications. Currently, foreign-owned farmland accounts for approximately 3% of the total agricultural land in the country. However, government officials are expressing worries over the potential risks associated with foreign entities controlling American food supplies or acquiring critical U.S. assets.
A recently published map reveals that foreign ownership of farmland extends across at least 37 states in the nation. Federal data indicates that China, with ownership of 383,000 acres, which is roughly equivalent to one-third the size of Rhode Island, ranks lower on the list of foreign investors. Interestingly, Canada stands at the top of the list.
Bipartisan concerns have emerged within Congress, urging a closer examination of the national security implications stemming from these foreign investments. Currently, federal law mandates that foreign individuals or organizations purchasing or leasing farmland in the U.S. must report these transactions to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). However, there is an increasing consensus that the USDA needs to enhance its tracking and sharing of crucial information.
The lack of efficient internal processes within the USDA has resulted in an inability to provide reliable information to Congress and the public regarding the extent and distribution of foreign-held U.S. agricultural land. There is a growing demand for the USDA to improve its data collection and reporting methods to enable accurate assessments of national security risks. For instance, officials from the Pentagon and the Treasury Department could utilize this information to evaluate the proximity of foreign-owned farmland to military bases.
To address these concerns, the USDA has requested funding to develop a real-time data system that would provide access to government agencies and the public. Having this system in place would allow for better transparency and enable more informed decision-making regarding national security risks associated with foreign ownership of American farmland.
While foreign ownership of farmland in the U.S. represents only a small portion of the country's agricultural landscape, the potential implications for national security and food supply have raised alarm bells among government officials. As discussions continue, efforts to strengthen the USDA's information-sharing capabilities and enhance transparency are essential to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the extent and impact of foreign investments in American farmland.
