Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024 Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting
USDA's tracking of land ownership severely lacking
When it comes to tracking land ownership by foreign companies and individuals, the federal government needs to be doing more. That’s according to a new U.S. Government Accountability Office audit released last week that found the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s tracking process severely lacking.
Foreign-owned land has increased by 40% since 2016 and dozens of states — and some members of Congress — are considering new laws to limit the practice.
This Investigate Midwest story looks at the GAO report and why understanding foreign land ownership across the country, including what the land is being used for, is complicated.
— Ben Felder, Oklahoma reporter
Federal audit: More information on foreign-owned agriculture land needed
By Ben Felder, Investigate Midwest
Federal records on foreign-owned agricultural land include errors, lack details on subsidiaries and secondary owners, and are not provided to other government agencies in a timely manner, the U.S. Government Accountability Office reported in a recent audit.
As part of its research for the report, the GAO interviewed two members of Investigate Midwest’s newsroom about their reporting on and analysis of foreign-held agricultural land.
Read more.
GRAPHIC: A third of U.S. corn is used to produce ethanol
By Sky Chadde, Investigate Midwest
Corn is used in hand sanitizer, soft drinks and plastic. But now, more than half of the corn produced in the U.S. is turned into biofuel or alcohol, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data.
View the graphic.
Jennifer Bamberg joins Investigate Midwest, expanding reporting to the Illinois statehouse
Investigate Midwest is pleased to announce we are now reporting from the Illinois statehouse with the addition of reporter Jennifer Bamberg.
She joined Investigate Midwest Jan. 8 and will focus on Illinois’ agriculture policy, policy makers, lobbying efforts and influencers. Her position is funded through the Chicago Region Food System Fund.
Bamberg holds a master’s in investigative journalism from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism. She has worked as a freelance reporter in Chicago, covering labor, housing, police misconduct, and public health. She has been published by the Illinois Answers Project, In These Times, Block Club Chicago and the Chicago Reader. She previously worked as an ironworker.
“I’m excited to shine light on the ways that powerful interests influence lawmakers, and tell stories about how policies affect communities and farmers in Illinois,” Bamberg said.
DETAILS: Read more about Bamberg and our vision for more statehouse reporting.
News from our partners
How Jesús Salas documents the legacy of Wisconsin farmworkers – and his own By Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Week of heavy snowfall wallops Midwest, could bring drought relief By The Cedar Rapids Gazette
Investigate Midwest is an independent, nonprofit newsroom. Our mission is to serve the public as a watchdog over influential corporations and institutions through in-depth and data-driven investigative journalism.
