Mystery Company Targets Farmers Near Air Force Base
NewsNation – A mystery company has recently purchased 52,000 acres of land near Travis Air Force Base, raising questions about its intentions. In addition, the company has filed a lawsuit against farmers in the area, accusing them of conspiring to inflate the value of the land. Congressman John Garamendi has been vocal about these land acquisitions and is concerned about the impact on local farmers.
Land Acquisitions and Lawsuit
Garamendi has been monitoring the $800 million in land acquisitions made by Flannery Associates near Travis Air Force Base over the past five years. He has been in contact with the families of farmers who sold their land to Flannery and claims that they were pressured to sell at a higher price. Now, Flannery is suing these families for $510 million, alleging a conspiracy to overcharge the company.
Concerns and Lawsuit Impact
Garamendi believes that the lawsuit is an attempt to bankrupt the farmers through legal expenses. He has seen one family already go bankrupt due to the lawsuit, and there are rumors of another family facing financial difficulties. Attorneys for Flannery argue that the farmers conspired to illegally overcharge the company.
Chinese Investment and National Security
There are growing concerns about Chinese companies buying American farmland. Flannery Associates, which made significant land acquisitions near Travis Air Force Base, claims to be controlled by U.S. citizens. However, federal officials have been unable to confirm this and are currently investigating the company. Garamendi raises concerns about the potential national security risks associated with these land acquisitions and questions whether Chinese money is involved.
Similarities to North Dakota Deal
NewsNation investigated a previous deal in North Dakota where Chinese-owned Fufeng purchased farmland near the Grand Forks Air Force Base. The deal was ultimately canceled due to national security concerns. Garamendi points out that residents near Travis Air Force Base are similarly concerned about the critical nature of the area for the U.S. military.
Chinese Ownership of American Farmland
China’s ownership of American farmland has been increasing rapidly. Currently, China controls nearly 384,000 acres of agricultural land in the U.S., with a 55% increase in the past five years. The majority of Chinese-owned farmland is located in the South and West Coast regions.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The article discusses the issue of farmland acquisitions, which can impact food security and agricultural sustainability.
- SDG 15: Life on Land – The article highlights the acquisition of land near an Air Force base, which can have implications for land use, conservation, and biodiversity.
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – The article mentions a lawsuit filed against farmers and raises concerns about national security.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
- SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.
- SDG 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 2.4: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture.
- Indicator for SDG 15.1: Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type.
- Indicator for SDG 16.5: Proportion of persons who had at least one contact with a public official and who paid a bribe to a public official, or were asked for a bribe by those public officials, during the previous 12 months.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality. | Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements. | Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms. | Proportion of persons who had at least one contact with a public official and who paid a bribe to a public official, or were asked for a bribe by those public officials, during the previous 12 months. |
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Source: newsnationnow.com
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