Who Owns the Most Farmland in the US?
United States Farmland
The United States of America. A country with a collection of diverse people who come together to thrive and grow as a whole. One of the most invaluable industries in the country is farming and agriculture. Whether you are looking at farm land for sale in Illinois, California, Ohio, Texas, or countless other states. You will find what you are looking for.
But among landowners, who owns the most farmland?
Private owners have control over millions of acres across a variety of industries and products. As of 2023, the top 5 landowners are:
- The Emmerson Family—2,411,00 acres
- John Malone—2,200,000 acres
- Ted Turner—2,000,000 acres
- The Reed Family—1,661,000 acres
- Stan Kroenke—1,627,500 acres
Needless to say, these landowners are a critical part of the farming industry for the country.
How Many Acres of Farmland are in the US?
While these individuals and families own millions of acres. It is only a fraction of the United States’ total farmland.
The current farmland in the US adds up to 879 million acres. This number has decreased over time as industries advance and the need for non-farm related jobs has grown.
In a uniform pattern, the number of farms has also decreased. From 2017 to 2023, we saw a 7% drop in operating farms, from 2.04 million to 1.89 million.
Despite that, farms still thrive and are a billion-dollar industry. When considering where to buy tillable land, include Illinois. A state with near endless farmland possibilities.
Get More Information
If that sounds good to you, call us at 815-718-2244 and speak with one of our associates. They can provide more details regarding the farm land for sale in Illinois and can answer your questions. Or send us a message by filling out the form found on this page, and we will contact you shortly.
Why Illinois Farm Land?
Because Illinois offers a prime opportunity.
Illinois is a heartland state the offers fertile, versatile agricultural land. With our variety of seasons, land types, tillable land, and rich soil, we are a brilliant choice for anyone looking for farmland.
The state is a leading producer of corn, soybeans, and swine. But thanks to its varied climate and soil types, Illinois also produces many other commodities and specialty crops, which include:
- Wheat
- Cattle
- Oats
- Sorghum
- Hay
- Sheep
- Poultry
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Buckwheat
- Horseradish
- Ostriches
- Fish
- Christmas trees
If you are interested in checking out the farm land for sale in Illinois, farmland auctions, ranches for sale, land auctions, and other acre property offers, check out our land listings.
Buying or Selling?
Buying Farmland
We are ready to act as your buyer’s agent.
Sterling Land Company has over 44 years of industry experience. Where we have made powerful connections and created an impressive network of contacts. They include agricultural lenders, real estate land brokers, attorneys, investors, and, most importantly, farmers.
With these resources and extensive experience. We are well-equipped to handle every part of the purchasing process and to match the right buyer with the right seller.
Selling Farmland
Listing farmland comes with its own challenges and required preparation. But we are ready to help.
Upon your initial request, we perform an on-site inspection of the property. This is followed by a gathering of important information about the property. Which includes soil maps, FSA data, aerial photos, property tax data, information of recent sales, and similar property for sale in the area.
With this information, we can make recommendations on price and method of sale.
A Trusted Partner
Sterling Land Company has grown a reputation of honesty and dependability. Our clients always get honest, straight answers regarding any information relating to a listing.
It is this fair-minded approach that enables us to operate in a fairly unique position. Virtually all our services are focused on Illinois farm real estate.
Our team is in contact with people involved in agriculture every day. Which makes us very plugged in into everything happening in the farm community.
Let’s Find your Perfect Land and Farm in IL!
To learn more about what Sterling Land can do to help you find the best Illinois farm land for sale, please call 815-718-2244. There, one of our knowledgeable associates will be available. They can discuss your goals in more detail and can answer questions you may have. If you would prefer to send us a message instead, please fill out the form found on this page, and we will contact you soon!
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