Reynolds wants tougher law on foreign ownership of agricultural land

(The Center Square) - Iowa has some of the strictest regulations in the country on foreign ownership of farmland, but Gov. Kim Reynolds wants to tighten them further.

China is getting more aggressive in purchasing American farmland, Reynolds said during her Condition of the State address.

"To that end, working in conjunction with Secretary of Agriculture Secretary (Mike) Naig, we’ve developed a bill to further protect our farmland from foreign interests," Reynolds said. "This legislation will enhance reporting and enforcement, increase penalties, and provide more transparency to Iowans on what land is currently under foreign ownership."

Naig said he supports Reynolds' proposal.

“Our rich, productive farmland is one of our state’s most precious and valuable resources,' Naig said. "As I visit with Iowans in my travels to Iowa’s 99 counties each year, farmers and non-farmers alike share serious concerns about foreign adversaries buying our farm ground."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's latest report on foreign land ownership shows that 1.6% of Iowa's 35.8 million acres are owned by entities outside the U.S., an increase of 6,463 acres from 2021 to 2022.

Canada owns the most significant chunk of Iowa land, with 198,667 acres, followed by "all others," with 181,258, according to the USDA report that includes data through Dec. 31, 2022. The majority of foreign-owned land, 398,527 acres, is for cropland, according to the report.

Attorney General Brenna Bird said backs Reynolds' proposal.

“As someone who was born and raised on a farm, I know how important it is to preserve and protect Iowa’s rich farmland,” said Attorney General Bird. “All across the state, I hear from Iowans who are concerned with foreign competitors buying up valuable Iowa farm ground."