Who Really Owns Michigan Farmland? The Answer May Surprise You

Here's a fun mix of words you didn't expect today: foreign-owned Michigan farmland. Yep—our scenic, corn-sprouting, soy-bean-growing, tractor-loving land is apparently a hot property for international buyers, and it has Lansing and Washington more than a little nervous.

Michigan Farmland—Now an International Hotspot

According to a new study released by Michigan State University (MSU), over the last couple of years, more than 30 states—Michigan included—have tossed around laws that would limit or outright block foreign investors from buying agricultural land. But why?

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Why Lawmakers Are Sounding the Alarm

National security. Food supply. The possibility of foreign powers playing a long game of Monopoly in Michigan. These are just a few of the reasons MSU claims have lawmakers nervous.

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Throw in reports of international companies buying land next to military bases, and yeah, you've got yourself a panic that both sides of the aisle agree on.

What the MSU Study Reveals

So, enter MSU, which put together a detailed breakdown of the issue, looked at 143 proposed laws and the behavior of nearly 6,500 state legislators in Michigan and around the country. Their conclusion?

According to MSU, the proposed bills aren't about farming, but more about fear. Security fear. "Oh no, what if China owns the cows?" kind of fear. But is that fear based in reality? Some would say yes.

How Much Land Are We Talking About?

Foreign business owns 3.5% of privately held farmland in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there are around 28 million acres of farmland in Michigan. Of that, 1.9 million acres are owned by companies with deep ties to foreign companies. That’s roughly 6.7% of Michigan’s total farmland—more than one in every 15 acres.

Michigan’s Biggest Foreign and Private Landowners

According to Bridge Magazine, The Rohatyn Group, a global investment company with significant ties to Singapore, owns 540,000 acres of land in the Upper Peninsula, making it the largest landowner in Michigan with international ownership.

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According to a press release from U.S. Senator Elisa Slotkin of Michigan, foreign land ownership in the U.S. has climbed 85% since 2010. As a result, Slotkin, along with Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, introduced a bill that aims to amend current laws to limit or even ban nations with tense relations with the US from purchasing land.

And, if you were curious, WRKR reports that the Plum Creek Timber Company is Michigan's largest landowner overall, with 650,000 acres of privately owned land.