Pillen Joins Leaders in DC to Back USDA Farmland Protection Efforts
Governor Jim Pillen joined national and state leaders in Washington, D.C. for the official launch of the USDA’s Farm Security Action Plan.
The multi-agency initiative is aimed at protecting America’s agricultural land, food systems, and rural communities from threats posed by foreign adversaries.
Governor Pillen, a lifelong agriculturalist, is the first Nebraska governor in a century to come from a farming background. He has already taken action within his state to secure farmland and critical infrastructure.
Just last month, he signed LB644 into law, which prevents companies linked to the Chinese Communist Party from receiving Nebraska tax credits.
The USDA’s seven-point plan was developed in response to increasing foreign ownership of U.S. farmland, especially by entities connected to China. Key concerns include farmland near military bases, intellectual property theft, and risks to the nation’s food supply.
“Farm security equals food security, which equals national security,” said Gov. Pillen. “Thanks to these actions taken by President Trump and his team, we can further protect the backbone of Nebraska’s economy from foreign adversaries like China.”
Other speakers at the rollout included senior U.S. leaders from the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and Agriculture, along with several governors and congressional leaders.
The America First Governors’ Council also sent a joint letter backing the plan, signed by leaders from states including Iowa, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Indiana.
The USDA plan focuses on banning land purchases by adversarial nations and reclaiming land already owned. It reinforces the connection between agricultural security and broader national safety, ensuring future generations are protected.