Tom Kips Tom Farms owns a portion of its total 20,000 acres in Indiana. A bundle of rights is a legal term for the package of legal rights that a real estate buyer typically receives with the transfer of the title. Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. That deal, disclosed on October 1, increased the familys holdings to over 2.33 million deeded acres, making them the biggest private land owner in the United States. Land: The mostly desert nation of Oman, which also includes the ports along the Coast of Sur, a major point of entry for trade in the region. Babbitt Ranches has 700,000 acres, of which 270,000 belongs to the family business. A higher estimate approximates that the Mormon Church owns nearly 2% of the states entire landmass, amounting to around 842,000 acres. 10. They invest in oil and gas exploration, real estate, and other industries. Every time something came up for sale, there was an opportunity to conserve it and protect it permanently for sustainable forestry or public recreation or both, Tatko says. With a total of 146,000 acres, Pioneer Forest is the largest private landowner in the state of Missouri. Gates is a well-known software developer, philanthropist, business entrepreneur, and investor. The Emmerson Family. Doyton Limited owns an estimated 12.5 million acres. Because land ownership is a sure path to wealth, farmland is the ultimate recession and inflation-proof investment, and most importantly studying success stories is an important habit. Of Floridas vast 65,758 square miles, 12,133 square miles are dominated by bodies of water. The big landowners own piles of the land itself so thats what well focus on today. The company owns 562,000 acres of land in the state of Florida. Rayoniers headquarters are located in Jacksonville, Florida. Louisiana has the most acres at a little over 69,000, followed by Arkansas at over 48,000 and Nebraska at 20,588. [15] Since its 2007 launch, O'Keefe has served as editor-in-chief and Rider the publisher. Industrial ownersthat is, paper companiesstill own some land in the most northern regions of Maine, while family owners or non-corporate entities own roughly the same amount of land as REITs and TIMOs. The largest farmland owner in the US is none other than the man who co-founded Microsoft, Bill Gates. dashicons-instagram, Policies Terms of Use Web Accessibility Site Map, Copyright 2023, Appalachian Mountain Club, Center for Outdoor Learning and Leadership, own roughly 30 percent of Maines forest land. Escanaba Timber , LLC. An incredible 21 percent of this land is owned by a short list of landowners, according to The New Statesman. Its a complicated mix of ownership, from investment corporations to families to conservation organizations, that has seen major changes over the last several decadeschanges that have had important effects on both outdoor recreation and conservation. Most of this land is used for conservation and recreation, such as state parks, wildlife management areas, and forests. The Holding family owns 400,000 acres, including Sun Valley Ski Resort. Plum Creek Timber was a company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, before its merger with Weyerhaeuser in 2016. That changed, of course, with the arrival of European settlers. Vermont's largest landowner is the state, which owns over 300,000 acres of land. 2 million acres. The 86-year-old Archie Aldis Red Emmerson runs Sierra Pacific Industries, the second-largest timber company in the country. 2. The Magee Family 10. Thank you for reading! Gross sales set a new record nearly $3.5 million and the overall average was $21,307, a 17% increase from the record set in 2021. It profiles leading landowners and compiles the Land Report 100, an annual ranking of America's largest landowners. 40. I tend to be more willing to admit that human beings arent going away.. The magazines editor, Eric OKeefe, and his staff do a great job reporting on major land deals in the U.S. and showcasing some of our nations great properties. In addition to more than 400 square miles of rangeland, livestock, and mineral interests, Sheridan acquired an operation with a world-class reputation. While the prestige of being the largest private landowner in the US belongs to John Malone, several other individuals, families and entities occupy the top position in their respective states. The St. Joe Company had been Floridas largest private landowner until 2009. Background: Qaboos is the ruler of Oman and the head of its military. Overall, Gates ranked No. AMC has conserved more than 70,000 acres to date through its Maine Woods Initiative and is in the process of raising the money to purchase the 26,740-acre Pleasant River Headwaters Forest. The racing stallion Dash for Cash is one of the many boldfaced names that highlight the ranchs acclaimed equine program. The ability of the government to take private property and convert it to public use is called eminent domain. In 2003, AMC launched its Maine Woods Initiative with land it purchased from International Paper. The eccentric Turner is an avowed outdoorsman and has acquired land to use in his passion for fishing and hunting. Jeff Bezos is number 26 on the list, with 290,000 acres. Aside from the incredibly magnificent scenery this state has to offer, owning land in Ohio is a sound investment. The ARO designation is similar in many ways to the long-established medical research organization (MRO) status, which dates back to the 1950s. Its an essential magazine for those with the means to buy these properties. The company harvests an abundance of timber yearly, often exceeding one million tons. For local communities, that period of time in the 1990s and the early 2000s was gut-wrenching, Tatko says. Land: The 175.6 million acres of Morocco, the historically key point of trading between Europe and Africa, which has retained a rather healthy economy throughout the turbulent 20th and early 21st Centuries. The parcel of land is also one of the largest east of the Mississippi River. Collectively, 666,300 acres are dedicated to forestry. The Department of Conservation and Recreation 3. Have some feedback for us? Convert Latitude/Longitude. The 9 Best Books About National Parks for Travelers. Considering the ongoing conversations on climate change and the need to be more environmentally conscious, some of the largest landowners in the US seem to be heeding the call. The 58-year-olds properties are in Texas, Kentucky, New Mexico and Florida. On his properties, he owns the worlds largest private bison herd, and The Land Report says he recently began an ecotourism venture on his properties. Farmland Riches is sponsored by FarmTogether. Ask yourself how much car can I afford? The King owns the country and all 4,415 miles of it. Why reading the news is bad for you Do THIS instead! Heres a recap of the largest landowners in the state of Florida. The largest landowners in the US also play an important role in conservation, apart from the income-generating opportunities that come with land ownership. Listen to article. The state uses most of this land for conservation and recreation, including state parks and wildlife management areas. While the Plott hound is the state dog of North Carolina, it is a very rare breed and not well-known in other states. He is the largest private landowner in the US, boasting land in New Mexico, Colorado and Maine, amongst other areas. Gyandera is a titular head of state but antithetically friendly with the socialist government. This bundle of rights provides you with all the rights you would anticipate as a property owner. The Essex County Greenbelt Association 10. However, Plum Creek Timber sold off some of its land and merged with another company, allowing St. Joe Co. to rise to the top once again. 2 - Alaska Emmerson began his career in the wood products industry in 1949, when he collaborated with his father to handle a leased mill in northern California that had been dormant. The editorial staff also reports on topics such as significant properties, landmark transactions, market news, investing, and conservation, as well as legislation and judicial decisions affecting landowners. Find cities with a similar climate (2050). But who actually owns all of this land? And around half of that private landabout 10 million acres in total, or about twice the size of the state of New Jerseyis open for public recreation, according to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW). Its administered by four management agencies for preservation, recreation and development of natural resources purposes. There isnt a ton of volatility on the list year-to-yearbig-time land ownership is a long-view gamebut its still fascinating to read about these folks and to see what they are doing with their land. Frederic Legrand COMEO/Shutterstock.com. They invest in various industries, including timber, energy, and real estate. Thank you for reading! The term organic is a staple of this company, which is headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida. dashicons-youtube Malone, the 74-year-old chairman Liberty Media, is worth $7.4 billion. (2,078,032 acres of land), The Reed Family. In general, land is a long-term asset that is tangible, useable, and in limited supply. For instance, Streamsong Golf Resort in Central Florida was established and eventually sold by the Mosaic Company. Cowls Land Company 6. The Four Sixes stocks 6,000 to 7,000 Angus cattle and is renowned for its industry-leading genetics. Land: Basically Qatar. Background: King Letsie is his second stint as Lesotho's monarch after being replaced by his exiled father and then being deposed upon his return, then taking the throne again after his old man's death less than a year later. Wisconsin is a beautiful state in the northern part of the United States, known for its dairy industry, cheese, and beautiful landscapes. The Magee family, based in Louisiana, owns around 60,000 acres of land in the state. The Hancock Timber Resource Group 8. Carolyn Dietz, his daughter, oversees the familys Sierra Pacific Foundation, which has given nearly $34 million to community projects and scholarships. Is Farmland Partners (FPI) A Good Investment? The Irving family, originally from Canada, owns around 800,000 acres of land in Louisiana. Gate systems like North Maine Woods and KI Jo-Mary (which contains some of AMCs Maine Woods Initiative land) manage recreational access for a variety of landowners in the northern part of the state. The company has already made efforts to put its reclaimed land to other uses. Land: The 57,000 miles that make up Nepal, meaning that he also, technically owns Mount Everest. Owns 150,000 acres of land. Collectively they claim 7.8 billion acres. The Federal Government 32,621,631 acres By far, the various agencies of the federal government are the largest landowners in Idaho. The Hunt family, based in Texas, owns around 175,000 acres of land in Louisiana. Land: The approximately 3.6 million acres of land held in Maine, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia make the Irvings the largest landowners in those states and provinces. Finally, the U.S. Sugar Corporation owns 154,000 acres of land in Florida, making it the final largest landowner in the state at rank number 11. Louisiana has the most acres at a little over 69,000, followed by Arkansas at over 48,000 and Nebraska at 20,588. The nations largest private landowners, Californias Emmerson family, are a prime example of this trend. While the Plott hound is the state dog of North Carolina, it is a very rare breed and not well-known in other states. Land: All, approximately, 128 million acres of Thailand including its tourist-friendly coast line and economically strong cities. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Founded in 1994, Foley Timber and Land Company supply various lumber and home improvement products. Background: The Emir is an inheritor to the throne of Kuwait and has managed to hold onto the country, and his own land with periodic help from U.S. intervention. With almost 260,000 acres of property, Bill Gates holds the title of the largest private landowner in Missouri. Plum Creek Timber first established itself in the state of Florida in 2001. Also, the all-important Falkland Islands. The United States Government The federal government is the second-largest landowner in Vermont, with over 140,000 acres of land. Ted Turner 2.0 million acres / 0.81 million ha / twice as large as Rhode Island, Emmerson family 2.0 million acres / 0.81 million ha / 3rd of the size of New Hampshire, Reed family 1.7 million acres / 0.69 million ha / half the size of Connecticut, Stan Kroenke 1.4 million acres / 0.57 million ha / roughly equal to the size of Prince Edward Island, Irving family 1.2 million acres / 0.49 million ha / large as Anchorage in Alaska, Brad Kelley 1.2 million acres / 0.49 million ha / twice the size of Jacksonville in Florida, Singleton family 1.1 million acres / 0.45 million ha / three times the size of Houston, Peter Buck 925 thousand acres / 374 thousand ha/three-quarters of Grand Canyon National Park, King Ranch heirs 911.2 thousand acres / 368.7 thousand ha / three times the size of Los Angeles. Land: All 11,718 square miles of Lesotho, including the country's diamond mines. From strategic acquisitions to out-and-out buyouts, Americas largest landowners bought and sold millions of acres all year long in 2022, acquiring inholdings, selling nonessential acreage, and delving into new markets. This is spread out across Wisconsin (1,188 acres), Florida (14,828 acres), Washington (16,097 acres) and North Carolina (874 acres). The lumber family owns Green Diamond Resource Company in the Pacific Northwest, which was founded back in 1890. The 100 largest private landowners in the United States have 40 million acres (16 million ha), or about 2 percent of the nation's landmass. Today, REITs and TIMOs own roughly 30 percent of Maine's forest land, mainly in the northwestern and north-central parts of the state. These can be found in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Mosaic Company owns 245,000 acres of land in Florida, and its headquarters is stationed in Plymouth, Minnesota. In The United States, he owns thousands of square miles of hunting grounds in Georgia and Montana. According to The Land Report, Bill Gates is currently the largest private farmland owner in the United States, with about 268,000 acres of diverse farmland in 19 states, including nearly 9,000 acres in Ohio. You just dont see that in other places, says Steve Tatko, AMCs director of Maine conservation and land management. The Land Report compiled a list of the 100 largest landowners in the country in 2016 here are the 10 families or individuals who topped the list. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Lyme Timber, based in New Hampshire, owns 239,000 acres here. The headquarters of Foley Timber and Land Company are in Perry, Florida. Background: Turner, an iconic America entrepreneur founded the Turner Broadcasting System that launched CNN and several others before being sold to Time Warner for yet another Turner fortune. Additionally, the Department of Defense administers roughly 8.8 million acres for training and military bases, amongst other related things. The top 5 largest landowners in the U.S., according to The Land Report: 1) John Malone. Lykes Bros Co. ranks number five on the states largest landowners list. Inc. owns 5,500 acres for conservation purposes. Coloring Books, Find cities with a similar climate 1.5 million acres. Lykes Bros Co. owns between 337,000 and 340,000 acres of land in Florida. There arent too many places, if any, that have the same level of public recreation on private land like we do in Maine. The family is worth $1.7 billion. The Land Report is an American magazine and website that focuses on private landownership in the United States. As of 2014, it was the largest environmental non-profit organization in the Americas in terms of assets and revenue. If this estimate is true, the Mormon Church would be the largest private landowner in Florida. I cited two examples in that piece about Bacon: On one end of the spectrum is Turner, who owns 2 million acres of land in the U.S. On much of his property, most notably on his Flying D Ranch in Montana, Turner has striven to return the land to its pre-Columbian state, ripping out fences, allowing bison (the original ruminant species) to graze the grasslands instead of cattle and even going so far as to poison streams to rid them of nonnative fish. You can do so even with a somewhat modest budget. The largest landowner in Florida is disputed; some believe that the Mormon Church owns the most land in Florida, while others claim that another company owns the largest amount of land in the state. Theres a moment in time in which we have this opportunity, Tatko says about conserving these lands, adding that timing is crucial in land protection. And while the monarchy in Lesotho is mostly ceremonial, Letsie retains legal title over the nation's lands. Much like with any other investment, the sooner you put your foot in, the sooner you can start capitalizing on compound interest and seeing a return on your investment. Who are the largest landowners in the Buckeye State? Years ago, I interviewed Ted Turner about his vast landholdings. My favorite animals are fish, rabbits, and cats. 1) The St. Joe Company - 576,000 acres The Fifth Amendment states that the government may only use this power provided the property owners are fairly compensated. The Nature Conservancy Spread across three counties in West Texas, the Sixes was still Comanche country when Samuel Burnett first staked his claim in 1870. The federal government owns an astonishing 61.63% of the land in the entire state, amounting to over 30 million acres. If somebody puts quite a bit of money into something, they must be convinced about it. Philip Anschutz owns an undisclosed amount. Largest Landowners by State 2023 Utah Alaska 12,500,000 California 1,900,000 Maine 1,250,000 Kentucky 1,130,000 New Mexico 1,000,000 Washington 900,000 Texas 825,000 Montana 765,000 Arizona 750,000 Georgia 750,000 Arkansas 711,000 Florida 678,000 Michigan 650,000 Oregon 600,000 North Carolina 570,000 Louisiana 550,000 Wyoming 550,000 Nebraska The UPM Blandin Paper Company, a paper and pulp company, owns around 125,000 acres of land in Wisconsin. By 2014, Bill Gates already owned a significant amount of land, estimated at 100,000 acres across several states. Founded by Eric O'Keefe and Eddie Lee Rider Jr, The Land Report was first published in April 2007 and bills itself as "The Magazine of the American Landowner." The largest landowner in Connecticut is the state itself, which owns over 1.5 million acresof land. Land: All 35,637 square miles of The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, one of the very few members of both The Arab League and The World Trade Organization. The fifth-largest private landowner in the US is a real estate mogul, so its no surprise that Stan Kroenke saw the benefits of land ownership long before many. There are numerous advantages to owning land. CASEY: The Deep State connection to Roanoke's biggest breakfast Hokies WR Wright enters transfer portal Landowners' lawsuit against Mountain Valley Pipeline revived by U.S. Supreme Court He has property in New Mexico, Maine and Kansas. Much of his 2.2 million acres is still working landand, in particular, his 1 million acres in Maine and New Hampshire, on which he maintains a robust sustainable timber operation. These rights, however, can be divided and transferred to multiple parties. John Malone owns a total of 2.2 million acres of land, with a portion of it being in Colorado. He bought his first ranch in 1987, which set the tone for where he is today. I'm Ellie, and I am a full-time college student at Miami University. He closed on it 11 months later. Bill Gates owns 268,984 acres of which 242,000 acres is farmland in various states. And contrary to popular belief, you dont need to be a Bill Gates or have buckets of money to invest in land or property. Background: Bin Khalifa has a been a modernizing voice and Western-friendly face in the Middle East since taking the throne in 1995. After that, the largest private landowners in the US are: The largest farmland owner in the US is Bill Gates, who owns 242, 000 acres of farmland and 269,000 acres of land in total. The Biedenharn family, based in Louisiana, owns around 50,000 acres of land in the state. The Reed family owns 1,726,295 acres of land, which is half the size of Connecticut! Their farmland is held both directly and through. Florida Crystals own approximately 194,500 acres of land in Florida, allowing it to rank number nine on the list of Floridas largest landowners. Their presence in Louisiana has brought economic benefits to the state, particularly in rural areas. Why Is Bill Gates Buying So Much Farmland? In general, although land ownership has changed hands in recent decades, Maines long tradition of public access on private land continues today. This put them at the top of the list for the largest landowners in New Mexico. Background: The former student of Philips Andover Academy was coronated in 2008 and has been the force behind Bhutan nascent democratization. The government owns approximately 640 million acres of land in the US, accounting for more than a quarter of the total land in the country. I enjoy writing, copy editing, and being involved in journalism. The state uses most of this land for conservation and recreation, including state parks and wildlife management areas. The Land Report 100 is an annual ranking of America's leading landowners and the magazine's signature study. 4. To determine the largest landowners in the United States, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from The Land Report magazine's 2019 Land Report 100. So, lets unpack land ownership in the US a bit more. For six years, I have worked as a professional writer and editor for books, blogs, and websites, with a particular focus on animals, tech, and finance. This article uncovers the three largest landowners in Ohio and other interesting facts. He owns a whopping 2 million acres of land, mostly in New Mexico, South Dakota and Georgia. What Returns Should You Expect From Farmland Investing? 4) Brad Kelley. Louis Bacon is number 45 on the list, with 218,331 acres and another 210,678 under conservation. Today, his family owns some 280,000 acres, primarily in Collier County, which is named after him. The Nature Conservancy purchased roughly 1,000 acres of forest land in Southern Ohio, bringing it closer to establishing an undisturbed wildlife corridor along the Ohio River. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The Mormon Churchs total land owning in Florida has been disputed. They are involved in various industries, including real estate, oil and gas, and agriculture. Through their Sierra Pacific Industries, the Emmersons increased their landholdings by more than 100 square miles to over 2.4 million acres. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Management owns around 130,000 acres of land in Wisconsin. The Molpus Woodlands Group owns 286,000 acres. The 15 Deepest Lakes in the United States, Meet the 10 Largest Land Owners in Montana, Meet the 11 Largest Landowners in Florida. John Malone 2.2 million acres / 0.89 million ha / approximately equal to half the size of Lake Ontario. is Ohios largest private land owner. Also, roughly 177 million more acreage of various lands owned by the Catholic Church throughout the globe, including the hundreds of Vatican embassies that are legally titled to The Holy See as an independent nation. Industrial ownersthat is, paper companiesstill . The Weyerhaeuser Company, a forestry and lumber company based in Washington state, owns around 120,000 acres of land in Louisiana. If were not prepared for some of these things to come down the line, we could miss them., dashicons-twitter Discover the 11 largest landowners in Florida and determine how many acres of Florida land they own. Their total land ownership is 2,078,032 acres. The United States Government. When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. 2. But Molpus happens to be the biggest landowner in the Adirondack Parkif just barely. According to reports, he started dabbling in property more than 3 decades ago! Lets have a look at who is the largest landowner in the US. Bill Gates. The nation's largest private landowners are the Emmerson family in California who own over 2.4 million acres. Real estate ownership entails a complicated set of rights, and the bundle of rights concept has typically been used to characterize and summarize such rights. In December 2015, Congress created a similar vehicle that combines philanthropy with farming. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Forest Service (FS), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and National Park Service (NPS) are the agencies involved. The former discount cigarette baron (he sold his company in 2001) is now worth $2.2 billion. The states total area covers 65,758 square miles, making it the 22nd largest state in the United States. Instead of viewing Maines forests primarily as an industrial resourcelike the vertically integrated paper companies didREITs and TIMOs still harvest timber but view the land as a financial investment. 1.9 million acres. The University of Massachusetts 9. The 2021 Land Report 100 featured an in-depth interview with Red Emmerson, the founder and chairman emeritus of Sierra Pacific Industries. The federal government is the top landowner in New Mexico, controlling over 24 million acres. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. But it can be complicated, especially for visitors to the state, to understand how this unique system works. Is Gladstone Land Corp (LAND) A Good Investment? For starters, owning land can yield good rewards. The Nature Conservancy is a worldwide ecological organization based in Arlington, VA. As of 2021, it operates through affiliates or branches in 79 countries and territories and every state in the United States. In some ways, little has changed in most areas of the state: timber is still being harvested and land is open for recreation. The billionaire Microsoft co-founder has become the largest owner of farmland in the United States by quietly buying up massive plots across the county, a new report says. He also has roughly 11,000 acres of land in the Patagonia region of Argentina. Disclosure: The following post may include affiliate links. Driving across Central Florida, one might notice a vast landscape dotted by citrus plants and other trees native to the state.
