Who owns the most farmland in the USA?

The United States is known for its vast agricultural industry, with millions of acres of farmland spread across the country. But have you ever wondered who owns all this land? While there are numerous small and medium-sized farms owned by families and individuals, there are also some major players in the farmland ownership game. In this article, we will take a closer look at who owns the most farmland in the USA.

According to the latest data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), there are approximately 897 million acres of farmland in the United States. This includes cropland, pastureland, and other agricultural land. Out of this vast expanse of land, the majority is owned by individuals and families, accounting for 62% of all farmland. The remaining 38% is owned by non-family entities, including corporations, trusts, and institutional investors.

The largest individual landowner in the United States is none other than Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft. Gates owns an estimated 242,000 acres of farmland across 18 states, making him the largest private farmland owner in the country. The majority of his farmland is located in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Nebraska, where he grows soybeans, corn, and cotton. Gates’ farmland is managed by a company called Cascade Investment LLC, which he owns.

Another major player in the farmland ownership game is the billionaire Ted Turner, who owns approximately 2 million acres of farmland across the United States. Turner is the founder of CNN and the owner of the Turner Broadcasting System. He is also a renowned environmentalist and has been acquiring farmland for conservation purposes. Turner’s farmland is spread across 12 states, with the majority located in New Mexico, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

Apart from individual billionaires, there are also some major corporations and investment firms that own a significant amount of farmland in the United States. The largest farmland owner among corporations is the Canadian-based company, Agrium Inc., which owns over 1.1 million acres of farmland in the US. Agrium is a major producer of fertilizers and other agricultural products and has been acquiring farmland to secure its supply chain.

Other major corporations that own a significant amount of farmland in the US include John Hancock Life Insurance Company, which owns over 1 million acres, and the American Farmland Company, which owns approximately 900,000 acres. These companies and others like them see farmland as a valuable asset and a stable investment, as the demand for food and agricultural products is expected to increase in the coming years.

In addition to corporations, there are also some major investment firms that have been acquiring farmland in the US. One such firm is TIAA, a financial services company that manages retirement accounts for teachers and other professionals. TIAA owns over 600,000 acres of farmland in the US, making it one of the largest farmland owners in the country. The firm has been criticized for its farmland ownership, with some claiming that it is driving up land prices and making it difficult for small farmers to compete.

In recent years, there has been a growing trend of foreign investors acquiring farmland in the US. According to a report by the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting, foreign investors now own approximately 27.3 million acres of US farmland. The majority of this land is owned by investors from Canada, followed by Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. These investors see farmland in the US as a stable and profitable investment, with the added benefit of owning land in a politically stable country.

In conclusion, while the majority of farmland in the US is still owned by individuals and families, there are some major players in the game who own a significant amount of land. From billionaires like Bill Gates and Ted Turner to corporations and investment firms, farmland ownership in the US is a diverse and complex landscape. As the demand for food and agricultural products continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how the ownership of farmland in the US evolves in the future.