Nov. 9, 2023 www.investigatemidwest.org Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting
The heated rhetoric around foreign ownership of land
Across the nation, anti-Chinese sentiment has led to a call for tougher laws against foreign companies purchasing U.S. land. In Oklahoma, which has seen some of the largest foreign-owned land growth, the state’s exploding marijuana industry also has lawmakers talking tough against China.
But federal data tells a different story regarding the recent growth in foreign-owned land, which now tops 40 million acres across the country.
This Investigate Midwest story looks at the growing political debate around this issue, new laws targeting China and how some states are acting on those new laws. The story also hears from critics who believe these new laws could harm immigrant farmers and ranchers.
— Ben Felder, Oklahoma reporter
Oklahoma governor says China is buying up the state's farmland. The data he cites points to other countries.
By Ben Felder, Investigate Midwest
Across the country, lawmakers in statehouses and in Congress have been raising the alarm over the growth in foreign-owned land, often claiming the Chinese government is behind the purchases in an effort to control food supplies or spy on critical U.S. infrastructure.
Some of the strongest rhetoric has been in Oklahoma. But the governor's comments there do not match records from the United States Department of Agriculture.
Read more.
GRAPHIC: After a calm summer, avian flu outbreaks spiked in October
By John McCracken, Investigate Midwest
In October, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recorded 44 cases. Up until last month, cases had been on the downswing from the large number of outbreaks last year.
See the graphic.
OPINION: High court must uphold constitutional ‘taking clause’ to protect property owners
By Dave Dickey, Columnist
The "takings clause" and a Texas property owner's rights to be fairly compensated are the focus of Dave Dickey's latest column. He writes: "The case has huge implications. Hands up for those in favor of having their property taken without just compensation. Someone? Anyone? I think not."
Read more.
Takeaways from our latest investigation into farmworkers
In English: Two H-2A workers died in a fire in North Carolina: What you need to know
En Español: Dos trabajadores H-2A murieron en un incendio en Carolina del Norte: Lo que hay que saber sobre este caso
Come TONIGHT to our Iowa City storytelling event
We hope to see you at our upcoming storytellers event, with the theme "Discovery in Disguise."
WHO: Investigate Midwest and its IowaWatch newsroom. The emcee is Iowa Public Radio's Charity Nebbe.
WHEN: Nov. 9. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the program beginning at 6.
WHERE: Poindexter Coffee in the Graduate Iowa City hotel.
HOW: Tickets are available here.
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