Dec. 7, 2023 www.investigatemidwest.org Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting
Tracking who owns and who is buying Nebraska farmland
Farmland has become an increasingly hot commodity in recent years. Bill Gates, NFL owners and players, and the Mormon Church have scooped up America's farmland lately — and paid a premium.
Farmland prices have skyrocketed. For instance, in Nebraska, the average price of an acre has increased more than 40% since 2018, according to a new series from the Flatwater Free Press.
The series uncovers the largest farmland purchasers in Nebraska, and it explores the situation's effect on small landowners. As one farmer told the Flatwater Free Press, he's attempted to expand, but the price per acre is "insanity. There's no way we can make that pencil out."
— Sky Chadde, assistant editor/senior reporter
WHO'S BUYING NEBRASKA?
By the Flatwater Free Press
First story: Corporations, investors grabbing giant chunks of Nebraska farmland
Seven out-of-state buyers, including a Utah church, a Philadelphia corporate farm and a California investment fund, spent nearly $250 million in the past five years on pricey Nebraska farmland, FFP analysis shows.
Second story: After shopping spree, Mormon church is top land purchaser
In the past five years, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bought twice as much Nebraska land as the second biggest buyer. If they keep it up, they’ll soon own more than anyone.
Third story: Foreign companies deeply involved in farmland — but not how you think
Foreign companies have serious ties to Nebraska agriculture, but those ties don’t often lead to ownership of Nebraska farmland – thanks partly to a 19th-century law.
GRAPHIC: Ag emissions from world’s top ag emitters have trended up slightly since 2015, nonprofit data says
By John McCracken Investigate Midwest
Agriculture emissions have slightly increased in top emitting countries between 2015 and 2022, according to a data analysis of emissions tracking data from Climate TRACE.
View the graphic.
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