Farmland for Farmers Act of 2026

Protection of the Family Farm System: The bill seeks to foster and encourage the family farm system, which is deemed essential to the social and economic wellbeing and national security of the United States (Section 2).

Support for Local Communities: By limiting corporate ownership, the bill addresses concerns that large corporate investors are more focused on short-term profits than long-term land conservation and may have less interest in benefiting local communities (Section 2).

Preservation of Generational Wealth: The bill recognizes agricultural land as a source of wealth, including generational wealth, for the people of the United States (Section 2).

Increased Access for Independent Farmers: The legislation targets the advantage held by well-capitalized corporate interests that can outbid independent family farmers due to rising farmland prices (Section 2).

Protection of Rural Community Welfare: The bill aims to protect the continued wellbeing and security of millions of residents of rural communities who are affected by the expansion of corporate ownership (Section 2).

Significant Civil Penalties: Natural persons or legal entities found in violation of the Act may be assessed civil penalties up to 2 times the fair market value of the agricultural land at issue (Section 6).

Criminal Penalties and Imprisonment: Any natural person who knowingly violates this Act as a shareholder, partner, member, or beneficial owner of an unauthorized legal entity could face up to 5 years in prison and fines (Section 6).

Forced Divestiture: The Attorney General may initiate actions to require the divestiture of agricultural land, and if an order is issued, the entity has only 1 year to sell the land before it is sold at public sale (Section 6).

Strict Compliance Burdens: Legal entities must submit a certifying affidavit at the time of acquisition and a federal tax return affidavit annually, under penalty of perjury (Section 5).

Potential Restrictions via State Regulation: States are authorized to create even more restrictive regulations regarding the ownership of agricultural land, which could be more burdensome for owners residing in other states (Section 7).