Tech billionaire Bill Gates, co‑founder of Microsoft and one of the richest people on the planet, has quietly become the largest private owner of farmland in the United States.
Through his private investment firm, Cascade Investment LLC, Gates holds around 270,000 + acres of farmland across nearly 20 states, making him the top individual farmland owner in the country, though this represents less than 1 % of all U.S. farmland.
Gates’ portfolio includes land in Louisiana, Arkansas, Nebraska, Arizona, and other states, used to grow crops such as soybeans, rice, corn, and potatoes. Some of the produce from these farms supplies major food chains nationwide.
Despite his immense wealth, Gates’ farmland investments are driven by financial strategy. Experts say farmland is a stable asset class, offering steady returns, protection against inflation, and diversification from traditional markets like stocks and tech ventures.
Gates’ interest in agriculture also aligns with his philanthropic work. Through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, he has long focused on improving crop yields and climate-resilient farming, particularly in developing countries. Additionally, he has invested in agriculture-related technologies, including plant-based food and farm tech companies, highlighting a broader focus on food security and sustainable agriculture.
Analysts emphasize that Gates’ farmland holdings represent a small fraction of total U.S. agricultural land and are primarily investment-driven, not aimed at controlling the nation’s food supply.
For Bill Gates, farmland is more than just soil and crops — it’s a smart, long-term investment and a strategic move into an essential industry that touches both the economy and global development.