The Dark Side of the Balloon: Restrictions on Foreign Investment in U.S. Farmland

This Article argues that if legislators truly want to strengthen our food system, they should shift their focus from preventing foreign investment in farmland to supporting domestic investment in farmland. According to the National Young Farmer Survey, finding affordable land to buy is the top challenge for young farmers. This Article begins with examining the history of restricting foreign ownership of U.S. farmland. This Article also explores the current landscape of foreign investment in U.S. farmland and the perceived threat associated with this investment.

The Article also examines the current renewed interest in preventing foreign landholding and what has happened on the state and federal levels in response. The Article concludes with an examination of the policy issues related to farmland access that would aid the American investment in farmland and more effectively strengthen the American food supply.