What does Preamble of Farmland for Farmers Act of 2026 do?

This bill, formally titled 'To ban new corporate ownership of agricultural land, and for other purposes,' aims to prohibit new corporate ownership of agricultural land. The bill was introduced in the Senate on April 27, 2026.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Farmland for Farmers Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled the Farmland for Farmers Act of 2026.

What does FINDINGS. of Farmland for Farmers Act of 2026 do?

This section outlines findings related to the increasing corporate ownership of agricultural land in the United States. It states that maintaining the family farm system is a longstanding U.S. policy and is essential for social, economic, and national security. The text highlights that farmland is a critical resource and a source of generational wealth. Since the 2008 financial crisis, corporations and pension funds have significantly increased their investment in farmland. Between 2005 and 2025, the number of institutionally owned farm properties tripled, and their market value increased substantially. The findings express concern that corporate investors prioritize short-term profits over long-term land conservation and may not prioritize local community benefits. Farmland prices have nearly doubled since 2005, disadvantaging independent family farmers. The section concludes that continued corporate control of agricultural land threatens the future use of the land and is detrimental to the welfare and national security of the United States. It notes that the operational scope and economic impacts of corporate farmland ownership are increasingly interstate and affect rural communities.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Farmland for Farmers Act of 2026 do?

This section defines key terms used throughout the Act. “Actively engaged in farming” requires either regular management participation or significant physical work contributing to agricultural or forestry production, excluding solely providing capital. “Agricultural land” includes land used for agricultural or forest-related products or livestock, or land that was previously used for such purposes within the last 10 years. An “authorized farmer or rancher cooperative” is farmer/rancher-controlled, has equal voting rights per member, distributes benefits equitably, and is not a subsidiary of another entity. An “authorized legal entity” has shareholders/owners limited to 25 natural persons actively engaged in farming and is not part of a multilayered subsidiary structure. “Beneficial owner” refers to individuals with voting or investment power in a legal entity. “Multilayer subsidiary entity” refers to entities within a hierarchy of two or more subsidiary levels or those with parent/subsidiary management or holding companies. “Ownership interest” in agricultural land includes all acquired or transferred interests, excluding certain easements and mineral rights.

What does RESTRICTIONS ON AGRICULTURAL LAND HOLDINGS AND EXCEPTIONS. of Farmland for Farmers Act of 2026 do?

This section restricts unauthorized legal entities from acquiring or holding agricultural land. Exceptions are made for certain entities, such as public institutions of higher education and nonprofit corporations, for research or experimental purposes. Agricultural land can also be acquired by legal entities for non-agricultural purposes, by process of law, or by municipal or nonprofit entities. Existing ownership of agricultural land by legal entities on the date of enactment is allowed to continue. Specific conditions apply to the use of agricultural land for research, experimental, or other exempt purposes.

What does COMPLIANCE. of Farmland for Farmers Act of 2026 do?

This section outlines compliance requirements for legal entities acquiring ownership interests in agricultural land. Legal entities purchasing agricultural land must submit an affidavit to the Secretary, under penalty of perjury, certifying compliance with the Act. Beginning after the date of enactment, legal entities with ownership interests in agricultural land must file an affidavit with their Federal tax return, also under penalty of perjury. To participate in USDA or Farm Credit System programs, legal entities must provide documentation demonstrating compliance with the Act. Legal entities deemed unauthorized under section 4(b)(1)(K) are ineligible for USDA or Farm Credit System programs. The Secretary must submit annual reports to Congress and make them publicly available, detailing violations of the Act discovered through affidavits and documentation.

What does ENFORCEMENT. of Farmland for Farmers Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes enforcement mechanisms for violations of the Act. If the Secretary determines a violation, they must report it to the Attorney General. The Attorney General may investigate and initiate legal action to require divestiture of the agricultural land. The Attorney General must notify the recorder of deeds of any pending action. A legal entity has one year to divest land acquired in violation of the Act; failure to do so results in a public sale. The Attorney General may enjoin prospective or threatened violations. Civil penalties may be assessed against violators, up to twice the fair market value of the land per violation. Criminal penalties, including imprisonment, may be imposed on individuals knowingly violating the Act. State Attorneys General can bring civil actions on behalf of state residents to enjoin practices, compel divestiture, and seek damages. State Attorneys General can assess civil penalties, with a maximum liability of $1,000,000 or the fair market value of the land, whichever is greater.

What does STATE AUTHORITY. of Farmland for Farmers Act of 2026 do?

This section authorizes States to regulate agricultural land ownership. States can impose restrictions at least as restrictive as those in this Act. Regulations may include more stringent definitions of 'actively engaged in farming'

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Farmland for Farmers Act of 2026

Last updated: 4/27/2026 · Introduced: 4/27/2026

Author: Cory Booker (D-NJ)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill aims to prevent new corporate ownership of agricultural land in the United States to protect family farms and ensure national security.
Existing ownership of agricultural land by legal entities is permitted to continue, but new acquisitions are restricted.
Exceptions to the restrictions are made for public institutions, nonprofit corporations conducting research, and entities acquiring land for non-agricultural purposes.
Legal entities acquiring agricultural land must submit affidavits to the Secretary and provide compliance documentation for USDA and Farm Credit System programs.
Violations of the Act can result in divestiture of the land, civil and criminal penalties, and enforcement actions by both the Attorney General and State Attorneys General.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 6 more.

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