This ranch, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), spreads over the three central Florida counties of Osceola, Orange, and Brevard. Covering almost 300,000 acres (1,200 km2) of land,[3][5] 90 ranchers and their families live on the ranch. The ranch maintains 44,000 head of beef cattle.[3][6] It is a for-profit operation and is not a normal part of the humanitarian efforts of the LDS Church. Gordon B. Hinckley, former president of the church, has said, "We have felt that good farms, over a long period, represent a safe investment where the assets of the Church may be preserved and enhanced, while at the same time, they are available as an agricultural resource to feed people should there come a time of need."[7]
History
The earliest plans for this ranch were made in 1949, and in 1950 the original 45,000 acres (180 km2) were purchased. Deseret Ranch now covers an area 50 by 30 miles (80 by 48 km), with a separate section surrounding Kenansville in Osceola County.
The church bought the original 54,000-acre (220 km2) tract in 1950 and over 50 years, the ranch grew to more than 312,000 acres (1,260 km2). In 1997 it was the world's largest beef ranch, and the land was worth an estimated $858 million.[8]
Operations
Like their other financial details, the LDS Church does not disclose the revenue or valuation of the ranch. Still, it is known that in 2000, they moved 16 million pounds (7300 t) of calves, which then translated to about $16 million in revenue. In 2008, Deseret Ranch discussed selling part of the property for a development near Orlando, Florida, but the proposed rezoning was withdrawn before approval.[9][10]
The Deseret Ranch also brings in revenue from the mining of native shell beds (used throughout Florida to pave roads), orange groves, hunting permits, and sales of ornamental palm trees.
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