https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/economic-policy-analysis/afida
USDA Takes ‘Bold Action’ to Crack Down on Foreign-Owned Farmland, Targets China
In what it calls a comprehensive action plan for agriculture security, USDA unveiled seven critical areas the Trump administration will address, and securing and protecting U.S. farmland from being owned by China topped that list.
By Tyne Morgan
Updated July 09, 2025 07:12 AM
Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA)
Farm Service Agency (FSA), in collaboration with the Business Center, is responsible for the implementation of the law and regulations as they relate to foreign ownership of United States (U.S.) agricultural land.
The Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA) became law in late 1978. The regulations, Part 781, Disclosure of Foreign Investment in Agricultural Land were created to implement the AFIDA. In particular, they were created to establish a nationwide system for the collection of information pertaining to foreign ownership in U.S. agricultural land. The regulations require foreign investors who acquire, transfer, or hold an interest in U.S. agricultural land to report such holdings and transactions to the Secretary of Agriculture on an AFIDA Report Form FSA-153.
If you are a filer, click here for more information.
The data gained from AFIDA disclosures are used in the preparation of an annual report to Congress, which is published on the FSA website. Since 2023, FSA has supplemented the annual reports with searchable spreadsheets detailing foreign agricultural land ownership. The FSA website includes all historical reports to Congress and annual data spreadsheets from 2010 to 2023.
To see the AFIDA annual reports, click here.
To see the detailed data underlying the AFIDA annual reports, click here
AFIDA Handbook: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/1-afida_r02_a02.pdf
- AFIDA statute language is found in Exhibit 4 of the Handbook
AFIDA Regulation: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-VII/subchapter-D/part-781
FSA-153 form: https://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/efcommon/eFileServices/eForms/FSA153.PDF
To see the brochure for the Foreign Investors with Agricultural Land Holdings, click here
To see the poster for the Foreign Investors Must Report Interests Held in U.S. Agricultural Land to the U.S.D.A., click here
For more information, contact: Mary Estep, AFIDA Program Manager, 202-720-3217, mary.estep.
This information is only accurate as of 7/9/25. You must contact SCR for updates and changes to this information after 7/9/25 as laws and regulations may change over time. SCR 803-772-5206 or email info at screaltors.org or email byron at screaltors.org)
This information is not legal advice. This information is intended only to provide general information and may not be relied upon as specific legal guidance. Legal counsel should always be consulted before acting in reliance on this information.