Foreign ownership of Ohio farmland has been on the rise. Here’s the data
Foreign ownership of Ohio farmland has been on the rise. Here's the data Mansfield News Journal
sdgtalks
Foreign Ownership of U.S. Farmland and its Implications
Introduction
Each year, a significant amount of farmland in the United States is sold to foreign investors. This article explores the extent of foreign ownership of farmland in the U.S., with a specific focus on Ohio. It also highlights the potential implications of this trend on local farmers and the agricultural economy.
Foreign Ownership of Farmland in Ohio
According to research published in February, approximately 2.7% of privately-owned farmland in Ohio was under foreign ownership in 2022. This proportion is higher than the Midwest average of 2.2%, but lower than the nationwide average of 3.4%. The report suggests that this trend in Ohio aligns with the general trends observed across the U.S.
Leading Foreign Investors in Ohio Farmland
As of 2022, the largest investors in Ohio farmland were Canada and Germany. Canadians owned 14.9% of the foreign-held farmland in Ohio, while Germans owned 14.6%. Nationwide, Canadian investors held 32.1% of the total foreign-owned farmland in the U.S. Italian investors held 16.4% of the foreign-owned farmland in the Midwest.
Rate of Annual Purchases
From 2012 to 2017, foreign investors were purchasing U.S. farmland at a rate of approximately 600,000 acres per year. However, since 2017, the rate of foreign-held farmland in the U.S. has more than doubled, with nearly 2.9 million acres being acquired annually by foreign investors.
Implications of Foreign Ownership
The surge in foreign investment in U.S. farmland can have profound effects on local farmers and the agricultural economy. Concerns include increased land prices, stewardship and control of agricultural resources, and the sustainability of farming practices. It is crucial to consider how foreign investments influence farm policies, land use, and their impact on local communities.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
-
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
- Indicator: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture.
-
SDG 15: Life on Land
- Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.
- Indicator: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area.
-
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
- Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
- Indicator: Number of countries with mechanisms in place to enhance policy coherence of sustainable development.
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality. | Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world. | Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area. |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. | Number of countries with mechanisms in place to enhance policy coherence of sustainable development. |
Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 15: Life on Land, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:
– Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
– Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil.
– Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective partnerships for sustainable development.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. The indicators mentioned in the article are:
– Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture (related to Target 2.4).
– Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area (related to Target 15.3).
– Number of countries with mechanisms in place to enhance policy coherence of sustainable development (related to Target 17.17).
The article discusses the foreign ownership of farmland in the United States, which can have implications for sustainable food production systems, land degradation, and partnerships for sustainable development. The mentioned indicators can be used to measure progress in these areas.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality. | Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world. | Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area. |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. | Number of countries with mechanisms in place to enhance policy coherence of sustainable development. |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: mansfieldnewsjournal.com
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
