SACRAMENTO, CA – California State Senator Melissa Hurtado, Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee and a champion of Valley Values, today applauded the launch of the National Farm Security Action Plan by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and the bipartisan push in Congress to stop foreign governments from acquiring U.S. farmland.

Senator Hurtado has long sounded the alarm on the risks of foreign ownership of American agricultural land. She authored two bipartisan California bills, Senate Bill 224 (2023) and Senate Bill 1084 (2022), to prohibit foreign state-controlled entities from buying farmland in California. Both bills were passed by the Legislature with bipartisan support, but not signed into law.

“I tried twice in California with legislation to stop foreign governments from buying up our farmland. Both had bipartisan support. Neither was signed,” said Senator Hurtado. “I’m glad to see that what we started here is now becoming a national priority.”

Hurtado expressed strong support for Secretary Rollins’ National Farm Security Action Plan, which aims to protect U.S. farmland, strengthen food supply chains, and ensure American farms remain in American hands.

“As Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee and someone who represents one of the most productive farm regions in the world, I know food security is national security,” Hurtado added. “This plan is a critical step to protect our land, our economy, and our future.”

Senator Hurtado also thanked Senator John Fetterman for his vocal bipartisan leadership in Congress on the issue.

“Foreign ownership of farmland isn’t just a California issue, but a national threat. I’m grateful to Senator Fetterman and others who are helping lead the charge in D.C. to keep our food system in American hands.”

As the daughter of immigrant farmworkers, Senator Hurtado has centered her work around Valley Values: fighting for water and food security, standing up to corporate and foreign greed, and making sure working families are protected and not exploited.

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