East Michigan News

Congressman John Moolenaar, Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, and Congressman Dusty Johnson have come together to introduce the bipartisan Farmland Security Act of 2023. This bill aims to increase transparency and oversight of foreign ownership of American farmland, in an effort to protect the country's food supply, economy, and national security.

Congressman Moolenaar, who represents Michigan, expressed his pride in introducing the Farmland Security Act. He highlighted the importance of this legislation in promoting transparency and ensuring accurate reporting of foreign ownership of American farmland. He stated, "Farmland is a vital asset for our food supply, economy, and national security. It is more important than ever that we have the structures in place to review and assess foreign ownership."

Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez, from Washington state, emphasized the risks associated with foreign investors buying up large portions of American farmland. She underscored the potential threats to food access and national security, particularly at a time when a significant portion of the country's fruits and vegetables are imported. Gluesenkamp Perez stated, "This bipartisan legislation would help us maintain control over our food supply and ensure family farms across Southwest Washington don’t get squeezed out."

Congressman Johnson, representing South Dakota, echoed the concerns raised by his colleagues. He highlighted the high demand for America's farmland, not only from domestic producers but also from individuals and companies worldwide. He warned of the potential consequences if the agricultural land falls into the wrong hands, including threats to food security and national security. Johnson stated, "This bill puts provisions in place to give a more detailed analysis of who is buying our farmland so we can protect our rural communities, producers, food security, and national security."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reported that foreign-owned agricultural acreage in the country has nearly doubled in the past decade, reaching over 37.6 million acres with a value of over $60 billion. However, these figures likely underestimate the true extent of foreign ownership, as some investors evade reporting requirements.

To address this issue, the Farmland Security Act proposes several measures. It would impose new financial penalties on foreign owners or shell companies that fail to report or misreport their acreage. The legislation also calls for research into foreign ownership of agricultural production capacity and foreign participation in agricultural economic activity within the United States. Additionally, the bill directs the USDA to conduct an annual compliance audit to ensure accuracy and provide training to state and county-level USDA staff on identifying non-reporting foreign-owned agricultural land.

The Farmland Security Act of 2023 is a comprehensive bipartisan effort to safeguard American farmland and rural communities. By increasing transparency and oversight of foreign ownership, this legislation aims to protect the country's food supply, economy, and national security. The bill recognizes the importance of maintaining control over the nation's farmland and ensuring its accessibility for domestic producers. With the introduction of this bill, Moolenaar, Gluesenkamp Perez, and Johnson demonstrate their commitment to protecting American farmland and the communities that rely on it.

To read the full text of the Farmland Security Act of 2023, please click here.

To find out more, go to this link: https://moolenaar.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/moolenaar-gluesenkamp-perez-johnson-introduce-bipartisan-bill-protect