This highly informative session discusses the policies the federal government is taking to seize control of an increasing amount of America’s land owned by farmers and ranchers. For instance, under the Conservation Reserve Program, the government pays farmers to refrain from using portions of their land for a term. This creates a federal connection to the land that can lead to more federal requirements, such as when critical habitat for an endangered species is declared. No further compensation is directed towards landowners. Expensive studies, biologists and attorneys must be engaged to protect the landowner. Most cannot afford to do this, forcing them to voluntarily enroll in more programs and give up more of their property rights to the government to survive.

This podcast discusses the Biden Administration’s 30 by 30 program, under which the government will control 30% of America’s lands and waters by 2030. There are no guarantees that the federal government will be satiated with control of 30% of our nation’s lands and waters. This 30 by 30 landgrab should be viewed in the context of other efforts to displace farmers and ranchers around the world, thereby further threatening the food supply.

Listen to this program to glean insight into the motivation of some of the wealthiest people in world who are buying up vast tracks of farmland. Further, dispossessing farmers and ranchers from their land reduces all of their rights, and risks sending them into serfdom.

Guest Speaker:  Margaret Byfield, Executive Director, American Stewards of Liberty

Margaret was raised on a large cow calf operation in central Nevada purchased by her parents, Wayne and Jean Hage in 1978. Her family experienced unprecedented regulatory pressures that eventually led to Hage v. United States, the first federal lands grazing case filed in the United States Court of Federal Claims.  The case was in litigation for 27 years.

At the American Stewards of Liberty, Margaret works directly with policy leaders at the local, State and Federal level helping to advance strategies that protect the production of America’s food, fiber, minerals and energy. She runs the national “Property Rights Task Force” and “Multiple-Use Alliance” that confront the agendas eroding property rights in America. Margaret has guided and participated in numerous government-to-government coordination meetings dealing with a variety of issues including federal resource management plans, endangered species, transportation corridors, power lines, high speed rail and many other concerns.