New Report Unpacks Foreign Interest and Land Leases in Iowa Farmland

Aug 11, 2025

By Rabail Chandio and Alaina Friesleben

As foreign interest in U.S. farmland has grown in recent years, new research-backed insights are available in the July edition of Ag Decision Maker for landowners to stay informed on this evolving topic.

The article, “Foreign-held farmland in the United States and Iowa: scale, use, and ownership trends,” provides timely updates not only on foreign interest but also on ownership and lease agreements across Iowa and the U.S.

Rabail Chandio, assistant professor and extension economist at Iowa State University and author of the article, said the information is relevant for all Iowa landowners.

“If you own farmland in Iowa, or are thinking about buying, selling or leasing, it’s smart to understand who else has an interest in that land,” Chandio said. “This information helps give Iowa producers and landowners a clearer picture of how much land is actually foreign-held, what it’s being used for and what kinds of ownership structures are involved.”

Source : iastate.edu

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