Brian Reisinger, a fourth-generation farmer in southern Wisconsin and author of Land Rich, Cash Poor, says purchases of U.S. farmland by Chinese interests have created a "great fear" among local growers. He called China both America’s largest agricultural trading partner and a major geopolitical adversary, a dilemma that has mixed effects for farmers. Lawmakers have moved to curb foreign ownership, and in 2025 Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a ban on Chinese nationals and certain foreign adversaries buying U.S. farmland. Farmers are looking to national leaders for predictable policy as trade talks continue.
Wisconsin Farmer Says Chinese Farmland Purchases Have Sparked a 'Great Fear' Among Local Growers
Chinese land buys creating ‘great fear’: Wisconsin farmer
A fourth-generation farmer in southern Wisconsin is warning that purchases of U.S. farmland by Chinese interests have stirred a “great fear” among his neighbors and other area producers.
Local Anxiety, National Implications
Brian Reisinger, author of the book Land Rich, Cash Poor, told NewsNation that many farmers in his community are alarmed when nearby tracts of land go up for sale, worrying that foreign buyers—particularly Chinese companies—might acquire them. "American farm families are under siege by China," Reisinger said, describing the concern as both economic and strategic.
"It's a deep dilemma because China is both the largest trading partner for agricultural products for America and it's America's biggest adversary," Reisinger said. He called trade with China a "double-edged sword" that has produced mixed outcomes for U.S. growers.
Reisinger said farmers in his area are seeking steadiness from national leadership as President Donald Trump prepares to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss trade. Beyond market effects—where Chinese demand can lift some commodity prices but other trade practices can hurt American producers—Reisinger warned that overseas ownership of U.S. farmland raises national security and food security concerns.
Policy Response
Across the country, state lawmakers and local communities have pursued measures to limit foreign ownership of agricultural land. In 2025, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a policy barring Chinese nationals and certain other foreign adversaries from purchasing U.S. farmland, a move supporters say protects security and sovereignty while critics raise questions about implementation and trade impacts.
Supporters of restrictions say limiting purchases by rivals reduces potential risks to supply chains and critical infrastructure; opponents note the need to balance security with property rights and foreign investment that can benefit rural communities. For farmers like Reisinger, the issue remains personal and immediate: when land in their region goes on the market, many fear it will not stay in local hands.
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