Florida is a state with a diverse landscape, rich in natural resources and agricultural products. The state covers 65,758 square miles, of which 12,133 square miles are water. Much of the land in Florida is privately owned by companies and families that engage in various businesses, such as timber, citrus, real estate, and biofuel. But who is the largest landowner in all of Florida? The answer may surprise you.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The largest landowner in Florida is not a corporation, but a religious organization: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon Church. The Church owns an estimated 673,000 acres of land in Florida, which is about 2% of the state’s entire landmass. The Church acquired most of its land in 2013, when it purchased 382,000 acres from St. Joe Company, a real estate developer, for $565 million. The deal was one of the largest land sales in U.S. history.
The Church’s land holdings in Florida are managed by its subsidiary, AgReserves, Inc., which operates farms, ranches, orchards, and other agricultural enterprises around the world. The Church’s main purpose for owning land is to support its charitable and missionary activities, as well as to preserve the land for future generations. The Church also produces food for its own consumption and for donation to those in need.
Some of the products that the Church grows on its Florida land include oranges, grapefruits, timber, cattle, and honey. The Church also plans to develop some of its land for residential and commercial use, as well as for environmental conservation. For example, the Church has partnered with the state of Florida and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to create a wildlife corridor that connects the Everglades with the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia.
Other Large Landowners in Florida
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not the only large landowner in Florida. There are many other companies and families that own significant amounts of land in the state, mainly for timber and agriculture. Here are some of the other largest landowners in Florida, according to the World Population Review:
- Foley Timber and Land Company: 562,000 acres
- Plum Creek Timber: 415,000 acres
- Rayonier Company: 400,000 acres
- Mosaic Company: 380,000 acres
- Lykes Bros. Co.: 340,000 acres
- The Collier Family: 280,000 acres
- Florida Crystals Corporation: 194,500 acres
- The Fanjul Family: 155,000 acres
- Deseret Ranches: 142,000 acres
- The Drummond Family: 132,000 acres
Conclusion
Florida is a state with a lot of land, and a lot of landowners. The largest landowner in all of Florida is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which owns about 673,000 acres of land, mostly for agricultural and charitable purposes. The Church is followed by several other companies and families that own large tracts of land, mainly for timber and citrus production. These landowners play a vital role in Florida’s economy, environment, and culture.