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As the 25th largest state in the country, Illinois is an approximate size of 37 million acres.
But the state is rich in farmland.
In fact, almost 80% of the state’s land area is used for farming. This is how Illinois has earned its nickname “The Prairie State.”
Illinois has healthy soil and a favorable climate, among other factors, making the state a top grower of soybeans, wheat, corn, hay, oats and pumpkins.
They are also an excellent source of several specialty crops as well, including peaches, apples, grapes, horseradish and melons.
In fact, more than 64 vegetables and 15 fruit and nut crops are grown in Illinois and produce nearly $500 million in sales for farmers.
Clearly, investors who’ve bought into a chunk of Illinois farmland have made smart moves and set themselves up for success.
Top Landowners In Illinois
| Landowners | Total Acres |
|---|---|
| 1. Larry Goodman | 800,000 |
| 2. Joe Ritchie | 72,000 |
| 3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | 38,000 |
| 4. Mark Rockefeller | 35,000 |
| 5. Shahid Khan | 24,000 |
| 6. Michael Polsky | 22,000 |
| 7. Bill Gates | 17,940 |
| 8. Farmland Partners | 12,070 |
| 9. Mike Kim | 2,500 |
| 10. Eric Trump | 1,000 |
1. Larry Goodman
Larry Goodman owns a meat-processing company and is the second-largest landowner in Illinois. Goodman owns around 800,000 acres of land in the state, which he uses primarily for cattle ranching.
2. Joe Ritchie
Joe Ritchie owns Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, the world's largest industrial auctioneer. Ritchie owns approximately 72,000 acres of land in Illinois, which he uses primarily for agriculture.
3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly called the Mormon Church, owns the largest land area in Illinois, with 38,000 acres. Having been involved in the farmland investment industry for many years, the church has become a significant player.
Start Buying Farmland Today!
| Platform | Minimum | Link | Accredited Only | Investments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $8,000+ | View Investments | Yes | US Farmland, Timberland, Vineyards |
 | $15,000+ | View Investments | Yes | US Farmland |
4. Mark Rockefeller
Mark Rockefeller is a member of the famous Rockefeller family and owns Rock Creek Cattle Company. Rockefeller owns around 35,000 acres of land in Illinois, which he uses primarily for cattle ranching.
5. Shahid Khan
Shahid Khan, the owner of Flex-N-Gate, a prominent car parts firm, is the third-largest landowner in Illinois, with 24,000 acres. He is well-known for expanding his automobile components company into a global producer with 69 locations worldwide. Besides, he also owns the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League and the Fulham FC soccer team of the Premier League.
6. Michael Polsky
Michael Polsky is the founder of Invenergy, a leading renewable energy company. Polsky owns approximately 22,000 acres of land in Illinois, which he uses primarily for wind energy projects.
7. Bill Gates
Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, is currently the largest farmland owner in the United States. The Gates family owns approximately 242,000 acres of farmland in the country, with 17,940 acres in Illinois, representing 7.4% of the family's total land holdings.
8. Farmland Partners
Farmland Partners, a privately held real estate corporation to acquire and own farmland in North America, is also a significant landowner in Illinois, with 12,070 acres of land in the state, making it one of the top 10 landowners in Illinois.
9. Mike Kim
Mike Kim is the founder of Credibly, a small business lending platform. Kim owns approximately 2,500 acres of land in Illinois, which he uses primarily for agriculture.
10. Eric Trump
Eric Trump, son of former President Donald Trump, owns the Trump Winery. In addition, Trump owns around 2,000 acres of land in Illinois, which he uses primarily for vineyards.
In conclusion, these are the top 10 landowners in Illinois. Their vast landholdings have played a crucial role in the development of the state, and their continued stewardship of the land will be necessary for generations to come.