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Feb. 17, 2021 - Bill Gates is investing big in farmland
2/17/2021 | 1m 15sVideo has Closed Captions
Bill Gates is investing big in American farmland.
The Microsoft co-founder’s personal investments mirror a growing trend amongst the uber-wealthy.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Crosscut Now is a local public television program presented by Cascade PBS
Crosscut Now
Feb. 17, 2021 - Bill Gates is investing big in farmland
2/17/2021 | 1m 15sVideo has Closed Captions
The Microsoft co-founder’s personal investments mirror a growing trend amongst the uber-wealthy.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship(upbeat music) - I'm Starla Sampaco in the Crosscut KCTS 9 newsroom.
We know billionaire Bill Gates is many things, tech innovator, public health visionary, philanthropist, but thanks to digging by industry journal, "The Land Report," which tracks land ownership across the country, we now know that the Microsoft co-founder and spouse, Melinda, are the nation's largest private owners of farmland.
That's right, Farmer Bill.
Since 2014, the Gateses have been diversifying their $129 billion fortune to include at least 242,000 acres of US farmland.
That includes a huge 2018 investment in the Horse Heaven Hills area, Benton County, some of the state's most valuable and productive farmland.
This means further consolidation of farmland, both nationally and in Washington.
What the Gateses' intentions are for agriculture is unknown.
Some analysts say it could be a fusion of values and vision, a commitment to conservation, sustainable farming, and resisting climate change.
I'm Starla Sampaco, find nonprofit Northwest news and culture every day on crosscut.com.
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Crosscut Now is a local public television program presented by Cascade PBS