US

Over the past decade, foreign companies have been investing in agricultural land in the U.S. at a record pace, according to a Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting analysis of USDA data.

As the farmland REIT sector grows, Sustainable Economies Law Center is busy researching and piloting alternative models of farmland ownership that prioritize racial equity, ecological sustainability, and long-term stewardship.

More than 350 workers of Dominion Farms Ltd in Yala Swamp, Siaya county, are on strike to protest against what they say are Sh30 million salary arrears.

US company focused on mergers and acquisitions and investments in natural resources announces definitive agreement to acquire 51% of Maxagro SRL, a Romanian farming company in Timis County, Romania

Farmland Partners is investigating a land purchase in Canada, and looked at farms in Scotland too, in its quest to exploit global farm price growth it sees continuing, driven by the quest to meet food demand.

Investment in Australia’s agricultural land has soared to $4.6 billion, with the bulk of that coming from the US.

"We're in the beginning stages of what could be a significant shift in land ownership," said Madeleine Fairbairn, who is investigatiing the impacts on farmers of institutional investment in U.S. farmland.

According to a report released today by leading environmental and social justice advocates, the investment management firm TIAA is leading a trend of speculating in land markets, which drives up farmland prices and displaces family farmers.

Expansion has been backed by borrowings which the group pegged at $437.8m as of the end of March, largely from Rutledge Investment Co and from MetLife Agricultural Investments.

Over 100,000 people, including thousands of TIAA holders, have taken action demanding that TIAA respect small farmers as part of a Campaign to Get TIAA Out of Forests and Farmland.

A coalition of environmental, human rights and family farm organizations delivered a letter with over 100,000 signatures to pension fund management company TIAA, expressing concerns over the company’s investments in farmland and palm oil.

Protesters paid a visit to TIAA’s New York headquarters Thursday, urging the firm to stop investing in farmland and companies with ties to palm oil.