Flossi for Farmers
The largest farm owners in the U.S. are a mix of individuals, families, and corporations that have acquired vast amounts of agricultural land for purposes ranging from traditional farming to land investment. Some of the biggest names in U.S. farm ownership include private individuals with extensive landholdings, investment firms, and agricultural corporations.
Here are some of the largest farms and landowners in the U.S.:
1. Bill Gates
- Farmland owned: Over 270,000 acres (as of 2021).
- Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, has become the largest private farmland owner in the U.S. His investments in farmland are managed through Cascade Investment LLC, and his holdings span multiple states, including Louisiana, Arkansas, and Nebraska. Gates' farmland investments are part of a long-term strategy to support sustainable agriculture and innovation in food production.
2. Ted Turner
- Farmland and ranchland owned: Approximately 2 million acres.
- Ted Turner, media mogul and founder of CNN is one of the largest individual landowners in the U.S., though much of his land is ranchland rather than strictly farmland. He owns vast ranches in Montana, South Dakota, and New Mexico. Turner is also known for his conservation efforts and commitment to sustainable agricultural and wildlife practices.
3. The Emmerson Family
- Farmland owned: About 2.3 million acres.
- The Emmerson family, through their company Sierra Pacific Industries, owns extensive forest and timberland, particularly in California and Washington. While much of this land is used for timber production, the family is one of the largest private landowners in the U.S., controlling vast swaths of land used for various agricultural and forestry purposes.
4. The Reed Family
- Farmland and timberland owned: Over 1.7 million acres.
- The Reed family operates Green Diamond Resource Company, which manages large tracts of timberland, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. While their holdings are focused on timber, some of the land is used for agricultural purposes, making the Reed family one of the largest private landowners in the U.S.
5. John Malone
- Land owned: Over 2.2 million acres.
- John Malone, the former CEO of Tele-Communications Inc. (TCI) and a significant player in the cable television industry, is the largest private landowner in the U.S. While much of his ranchland, he also has significant agricultural holdings, especially in Colorado and New Mexico. Like Ted Turner, Malone’s land combines working ranches and conservation efforts.
6. The Fanjul Family
- Farmland owned: Hundreds of thousands of acres.
- The Fanjul family, through their companies Florida Crystals and Domino Sugar, owns vast sugarcane plantations in Florida and the Dominican Republic. They are among the largest private landowners in the U.S. regarding agricultural land devoted to sugarcane production.
7. The Simplot Family
- Farmland owned: Over 400,000 acres.
- The Simplot family, through the J.R. Simplot Company, is one of the largest privately owned agribusinesses in the U.S. The company produces many of the nation's potatoes, particularly for fast-food chains like McDonald’s. The Simplot family owns extensive farmland, especially in the western U.S.
8. Stewart & Lynda Resnick
- Farmland owned: Over 190,000 acres.
- The Resnicks, through their company, The Wonderful Company, own large farms that produce almonds, pistachios, pomegranates, and citrus fruits. Their farms are located mainly in California’s Central Valley. The Resnicks are among the largest agricultural producers in the U.S. and are particularly influential in the nut and fruit industries.
9. The Boswell Family
- Farmland owned: Over 150,000 acres.
- The Boswell family, through J.G. Boswell Company, is a major agricultural force in California. The company is one of the largest cotton producers in the world and also grows tomatoes and other crops. The Boswell Company controls large tracts of land in California’s Central Valley, much of it devoted to irrigated farming.
10. The Offutt Family
- Farmland owned: Over 190,000 acres.
- The Offutt family operates R.D. Offutt Farms, one of the largest producers of potatoes in the U.S. The family owns and leases farmland across several states, primarily in the Midwest and the Pacific Northwest. Their agricultural empire supplies major food processing companies and fast-food chains.
11. The King Ranch
- Farmland and ranchland owned: Over 825,000 acres.
- King Ranch, located in Texas, is one of the largest ranches in the world. While primarily known for cattle ranching, the King Ranch also grows crops like cotton, citrus, and pecans, making it a significant player in both livestock and agricultural production.
Other Notable Large Landowners:
- The Ford Family (through Farming & Timber Enterprises): Significant landholdings in Oregon.
- The Irving Family (through J.D. Irving Limited): Large timberland holdings, especially in Maine.
- Paul Fireman (former Reebok CEO): Extensive land in Montana.
Bill Gates' farming investments are managed through a private investment firm called Cascade Investment LLC, which handles various aspects of his financial portfolio, including farmland. Cascade Investment is overseen by Michael Larson, Bill Gates' chief investment officer since 1994. Larson and his team manage the farmland acquisitions and overall strategy for these investments.
Key Crops and Activities on Gates' Farmland:
1. Row Crops (Staple Crops):
- Much of Gates' farmland is used for growing staple crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat, and rice. These crops are often grown in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Nebraska, where Gates owns significant acreage.
2. Potatoes:
- A notable portion of his farmland in states like Washington is dedicated to growing potatoes. Some of this land is leased to large-scale potato producers that supply companies like McDonald's with French fries.
3. Cotton:
- Some of Gates' farmland in southern states like Mississippi is used for cotton production. Cotton is a standard cash crop in this region, and it is grown on several of the large tracts of land that Cascade has acquired.
4. Rice:
- Gates owns rice farms in Arkansas, one of the largest rice-producing states in the U.S. Rice is a staple crop in the region, and Gates' land contributes to the state’s overall rice production.
Notable Locations of Gates’ Farmland:
- Louisiana: 69,000 acres.
- Arkansas: 47,000 acres (including rice farms).
- Nebraska: 20,500 acres (primarily for corn and soybean production).
- Washington: 14,000 acres (including potato farms).
- Florida: 25,000 acres (used for various crops).
- Mississippi: 16,000 acres (cotton and other crops).