A new bill would prohibit non-citizens from countries deemed hostile by the federal government from buying Illinois farmland.
The number of U.S. farm acres owned by foreign entities grew more than 8% in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The most recent report shows while foreign-held agricultural acres saw the largest increases in Colorado, Alabama and Michigan, there were decreases in foreign-owned land in several other states including Illinois.
Still, the proportion of foreign-held farmland to privately-held farmland is 2.7% in Illinois.
“We can’t go get new farmland. We can’t invent more or manufacture new farmland. It is something that we need in order to feed the world,” Turner said.
Currently, 24 states have passed similar legislation to manage the risks associated with the purchase of farmland by foreign entities that may jeopardize national security.
