The National Young Farmers Coalition has expressed deep concern regarding the continued delay of the 2024 Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of Agricultural Land (TOTAL) Survey. Originally scheduled for October 2025, the release was halted due to the government shutdown, leaving the industry without critical data on land access and ownership trends.
Young Farmers Coalition Calls for Immediate Release of Delayed USDA TOTAL Survey
Washington, D.C. — January 27, 2026
The National Young Farmers Coalition (Young Farmers) expresses deep concern over the continued delay of the 2024 Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of Agricultural Land (TOTAL) Survey. Originally aimed to provide insight into ownership trends, the publication was halted due to the 43-day government shutdown, and the USDA has yet to announce a new release date.
“Without the TOTAL Survey, we’re flying blind on one of the most urgent issues in agriculture—land access,” said Vanessa Garcia Polanco, Government Relations Director. “This delay prevents policymakers, advocates, and farmers from understanding the scale of farmland loss, speculation, and consolidation.”
- Policy Planning: Essential for informing federal policy on foreign land ownership and preservation.
- Farmer Support: Critical for understanding barriers for new and beginning farmers.
- Equitable Transition: Stalls progress on policies that support equitable land transitions to the next generation.
Young Farmers calls on the Administration to prioritize the release of this information. Restoring access to critical data is essential for shaping farm policy that helps farmers weather economic instability and counter land speculation.
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