The Corporate Church: How the Mormon church is buying up Australian farmland (#279)
- RIck LeCouteur
- Mar 19
- 4 min read
In recent years, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), commonly known as the Mormon Church, has made substantial investments in Australian agriculture.
Through its agricultural investment arm, Farmland Reserve, the church has quietly expanded its holdings, acquiring significant tracts of farmland across the country.
While these purchases may not always make headlines, they represent a major shift in land ownership, sparking debates over foreign investment, food security, and the long-term implications for Australian farmers.
A Growing Portfolio
The LDS Church’s land purchases in Australia have included some of the country’s largest and most productive agricultural properties, particularly in Queensland and New South Wales. Some of the most notable acquisitions include:
Worral Creek Aggregation (Queensland)
Acquired in September 2024 for over $300 million
Size: 26,885 hectares
Primary Use: Cotton production, cropping, and cattle farming
Water Rights: 65,900 megaliters of water entitlements
North Star Aggregation (New South Wales)
Acquired in March 2025
Size: 5,694 hectares
Primary Use: Wheat, barley, canola, chickpeas, cotton, and sorghum farming
Soil Quality: Fertile black and brown self-mulching clay soils
These acquisitions highlight the church’s calculated approach to agricultural investment, targeting highly productive farmland with significant water rights and export potential.
Why Is the LDS Church Investing in Australian Agriculture?
The Mormon Church has a long history of agricultural ownership, dating back to its early settlements in the United States. Globally, the church owns millions of acres of farmland, including properties in North and South America, Europe, and Oceania. But why is it investing so heavily in Australia?
Food Security and Self-Sufficiency: The LDS Church operates a vast welfare and humanitarian aid program, providing food and resources to members and communities in need. Owning large-scale farms ensures a reliable food supply for these efforts, particularly in times of crisis.
Diversified Investment Strategy: Agricultural land is a stable, appreciating asset. By acquiring premium farmland in Australia, the LDS Church is securing long-term financial returns while diversifying its investment portfolio.
Expanding Influence in the Pacific: With a growing membership in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in Polynesia, Australia provides a strategic base for food production and distribution.
Corporate-Style Management: Unlike a traditional religious organization, the LDS Church operates its agricultural enterprises like a multinational corporation. The management of Worral Creek Aggregation, for example, has been outsourced to Solterra, a cropping business run by Warakirri Asset Management, ensuring corporate-level efficiency in operations.
Concerns and Controversies
While these investments bring capital and infrastructure to rural communities, they have also raised significant concerns, including:
Foreign Ownership of Australian Land: The sale of Australian farmland to foreign-owned entities has long been a contentious issue. Many Australians worry about the long-term consequences of large tracts of farmland being controlled by multinational corporations, foreign governments, or, in this case, a religious institution with corporate-like operations.
Tax Exemptions and Business Operations: Although the LDS Church benefits from tax-exempt status as a religious organization, its agricultural operations function as profit-generating businesses. Critics argue that large-scale agribusinesses owned by religious entities should be subject to the same tax regulations as commercial enterprises.
Transparency and Secrecy in Land Ownership: The Mormon Church is known for its discreet financial dealings, often making land purchases through subsidiary companies. This lack of transparency has led to increased scrutiny, as Australian policymakers seek clearer regulations on foreign land ownership.
Impact on Local Farmers: Much like the corporate takeover of Australian veterinary practices by foreign-owned companies like CVS Group, the LDS Church’s acquisition of farmland is pricing out independent Australian farmers. As large institutional buyers dominate the market, young farmers and family-run operations face increasing barriers to entry.
The LDS Church’s expansion into Australian agriculture is part of a much larger trend of global land consolidation. Whether it’s corporate agribusinesses, foreign investors, or religious institutions, the traditional model of family-owned farms is rapidly disappearing.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
Will Australia introduce stricter regulations on foreign and institutional land ownership?
How will these investments impact food prices and supply chains?
Should religious institutions be allowed to own vast agricultural assets while maintaining tax-exempt status?
These are questions that policymakers, farmers, and the public will need to address in the coming years.
Rick’s Commentary
The LDS Church’s growing agricultural empire in Australia represents a complex intersection of religion, finance, and food security.
While these investments inject capital into rural areas, they also raise concerns about transparency, foreign influence, and the corporatization of agriculture.
As Australian farmers and communities grapple with these changes, the debate over who should control the country’s farmland will only intensify.
Further Reading
Australian farm sales 2024: Gina Rinehart, international families behind some of biggest farm deals of 2024.
Shock price LDS church paid for 26,000ha to trigger big guns.
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