2024 proved to be a remarkable year for America’s leading landowners, with significant expansions in their land portfolios.
The Land Report 100 documented astonishing growth, with over 1,000 square miles of farmland, cattle grounds, and timber tracts acquired this past year.
This surge marks the most prolific buying spree since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Transactions varied significantly in size, from small parcels of just 3 acres to extensive holdings exceeding 100,000 acres.
However, amidst this trend of expansion, one notable exception captured significant attention: Brad Kelley’s record-setting sale of Brewster Ranch.
Kelley, who began 2024 as the largest landowner in Texas, made headlines on October 29 when The Land Report revealed that he had sold a staggering portion of his landholdings to the Texas General Land Office.
This transaction encompassed more than 500 square miles of land.
In early October, the Texas General Land Office (GLO) finalized the purchase of Kelley’s Brewster Ranch for $164.6 million, a massive piece that was previously listed for $245,678,330, closing the deal on October 24, 2024.
Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham expressed pride in acquiring this expansive property for the state, stating that it not only secures a valuable resource but also blocks foreign adversaries from purchasing land along Texas’s southern border.
Brewster Ranch, located in the Big Bend region of Far West Texas, is a culmination of 28 historic ranches collected by Kelley over a span of two decades.
At its pinnacle, Brewster Ranch covered an impressive 431,846 acres.
Three portions of the ranch—Horse Mountain Ranch, Tesnus Ranch, and YE Mesa Ranch—were marketed and sold separately, further illustrating the property’s extensive size.
Before the sale, Kelley’s holdings included 940,000 acres across multiple states, positioning him as the largest private landowner in Texas.
With Kelley’s departure, Texas Pacific Land Corporation now holds the title of the state’s largest landowner, with a total of 873,000 acres.
Another prominent figure in land ownership is Stan Kroenke, ranking No. 4 on the Land Report 100 list.
Kroenke’s total landholdings now span 1,762,000 acres after an increase of 62,000 acres since 2023.
His latest acquisition, Cañon Blanco Ranch, adds an impressive 80,892 acres to his ranching portfolio.
Located close to Santa Fe, New Mexico, Cañon Blanco Ranch boasts a combination of deeded land, state leases, and Bureau of Land Management-leased properties.
The enhancements made by previous owners, including the development of the property and construction of a hacienda, add value to Kroenke’s already expansive ranch operations.
Stefan Soloviev also made headlines this year, ranking No. 15 with a total of 617,000 acres—a substantial increase of 81,897 acres from the previous year.
Since his debut on the Land Report 100 at No. 82 with 125,000 acres, Soloviev has progressively expanded his land holdings and diversified into various land-related endeavors.
His recent purchase of more than 80,000 acres of ranchland in eastern New Mexico solidified his position as one of the top 20 private landowners nationwide.
Soloviev’s cattle operation is noteworthy as it produces more than 1.5 million pounds of live beef annually.
Meanwhile, Taylor Sheridan emerged as a significant player in land ownership as well, ranked No. 49 with 267,000 acres—a modest increase of 745 acres.
The film producer has diversified his ranching endeavors, recently acquiring the 179-acre Papa’s Creek Ranch in Wyoming, listed for $4.95 million.
This new acquisition reflects Sheridan’s ongoing expansion plan following his previous purchase of the legendary 266,000-acre Four Sixes Ranch in Texas.
Sheridan’s properties serve dual purposes, with his Texas ranch gaining fame as a filming location for popular projects like Yellowstone.
Papa’s Creek Ranch, by contrast, offers tranquil streams and a historical significance that can inspire future artistic endeavors.
The Fanjul family, ranking No. 61, holds a total of 229,000 acres in Florida, increasing their portfolio by 34,500 acres since last year.
Having established a sugarcane operation decades ago after fleeing Castro’s regime in Cuba, the Fanjul brothers’ Florida Crystals Corporation is now a leader in organic sugar production in the United States.
Their legacy and land management practices continue to impact the agricultural landscape in Florida significantly.
In conclusion, 2024 has been a transformative year for America’s landowners, marked by significant acquisitions and historic transactions that continue to shape the landscape of American agriculture and land management.
As these landowners expand their portfolios, their influence on environmental and economic landscapes only continues to grow, ensuring fascinating developments in the years ahead.
image source from：https://www.agriculture.com/2024-land-report-100-who-owns-the-most-land-in-the-united-states-11729793
