(NewsDakota.com/NorthDakotaAgConnection.com) – Several states are joining the trend to limit foreign ownership of farmland, with North Dakota at the forefront. The recent case in Grand Forks involving Chinese food manufacturer Fufeng Group and its failed corn milling plant has ignited concerns about national security and prompted lawmakers to take action.

The proposed corn milling plant by Fufeng Group in Grand Forks faced significant opposition from state and federal officials due to its ties to China and its proximity to the Grand Forks Air Force Base. The pressure led the Grand Forks City Council to deny building permits, ultimately killing the project. A report from the Air Force labeled the land purchase as a “threat to national security,” further solidifying the decision.

The issue of foreign ownership of farmland extends beyond North Dakota. As of 2021, approximately 40.8 million acres of U.S. farmland are owned by foreign entities, with China alone owning around 384,000 acres. This growing concern has prompted several states to introduce or pass legislation to prevent foreign adversaries, particularly those with communist ties, from acquiring agricultural land.

North Dakota Lawmakers passed a bill preventing city or county governments from entering into land deals with foreign adversaries. Efforts to establish a committee to scrutinize foreign farmland purchases were also made.

Efforts to restrict foreign ownership of farmland are gaining momentum across the United States. Regardless of political affiliation, concerns over national security and protecting valuable agricultural resources are driving these legislative actions. States are taking proactive steps to safeguard their land from potential threats and maintain control over essential assets.