South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden is among a group of state leaders backing the USDA’s newly announced National Farm Security Action Plan, designed to protect America’s farmland and agricultural resources from foreign influence and national security threats.
The plan, introduced by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, outlines seven key strategies, including one to prohibit foreign adversaries—specifically Chinese nationals—from purchasing U.S. agricultural land. Rollins emphasized federal efforts to enact legislation and use executive powers to reclaim previously sold land if necessary.
In a letter co-signed by Rhoden and 10 other “America First” governors, the group warned that foreign ownership threatens not only local economies, but also the food supply, water access, and national security.
Rhoden’s office referenced a state law passed last year banning agricultural land ownership by six foreign governments. Former Governor and current Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also spotlighted the law, stating, “In South Dakota, China does not own any of our land, nor will they ever.”
In addition to tackling foreign land purchases, the USDA’s broader plan includes:
- Safeguarding agricultural research
- Strengthening biosecurity infrastructure
- Combatting fraud in the SNAP program
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