Stutzman: Soil that sustains America does not belong to foreign countries 

By U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Dist. 3) 

Indiana feeds America. Our state is a national leader in poultry, corn, soybeans and so much more. From our fields to tables across the country, Hoosier agriculture plays a daily role in the lives of millions of families. 

I have the great honor of representing northeast Indiana. Not only do we house the greatest concentrations of farms, but we also have some of the highest-producing farms in our state. 

Indiana’s agricultural strength was built on generations of hard work, knowledge and innovation. We are skilled in growing crops efficiently while still preserving the health of the soil for years to come. This commitment to the craft of producing sustainable, high-quality food is what allows the United States to enjoy the most abundant and affordable food supply in the world. 

I consider myself blessed to be a part of this great legacy. Coming from a fourth-generation family of farmers, I grew up understanding that agriculture is more than industry — it’s a way of life. It instills the values of responsibility, discipline and stewardship. Those lessons are why I am committed to preserving that way of life for future generations of Hoosiers. 

Recently, however, there have been new threats to this rich legacy of ours. Foreign adversaries — primarily corporations and individuals affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party — have been buying up prized farmland across America’s heartland. Our farmland is more than simple real estate. 

The soil that sustains our nation doesn’t belong in the hands of foreign nations, especially those that don’t have our best interests at heart. 

This is why I am co-sponsoring the Protecting Our Farms and Homes from China Act. This legislation bans the sale of American farmland to corporations or individuals affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party and ensures that our farmland remains in the hands of those committed to our nation’s prosperity and security. 

As a rural state, agriculture is the backbone of our economy. When our nation’s greatest geopolitical adversary purchases hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland, it undermines one of our nation’s great strengths — the ability to feed ourselves. This jeopardizes our sovereignty and independence. 

Not only is the loss of U.S. farmland to a foreign adversary a threat to the integrity of our food supply, it also creates national security risks – especially when much of this land is close to sensitive military installations. 

Safeguarding America’s farmland means strengthening our self-reliance and national security and preserving opportunity for U.S. farmers. It ensures that future generations will have the chance to work the land, provide for their communities, and continue the proud tradition of feeding our nation. 

Indiana remains one of the leading states in agriculture. I am committed to supporting our farmers to ensure they have the resources, support and independence they need to continue feeding America — today and for generations to come.