Wall Street investors have been buying up farmland across the US, leading some to worry that land prices are growing unustainable. According to The Rural Blog, many American farmers fear the prices are ballooning beyond the point where they can reasonably be expected to turn a profit.
A recent survey found farmland was the second most popular investment among 13 categories, behind only energy. Farmers worry that outside investors lack the close ties and direct knowledge necessary to preserve the land.
There is also concern that farmers could be shut out of their local economy by outsiders. Wall Street investors could potentially outbid local farmers when land goes up for sale. Farmers hope to keep those funds circulating within the farm community, rather than seeing the money leave the area.