Will Harris, a fourth-generation farmer in South Georgia, says he has concerns about Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.
Reportedly, Gates has become the largest private individual farmland owner in the United States.
Will Harris is a legend. pic.twitter.com/beMdZWbVNl
— William Wheelwright (@ploughmansfolly) August 3, 2022
Harris is the owner of White Oak Pastures, a 152-year-old, six-generation family farm in Bluffton, Georgia. Harris’ first concern:
“Hell yeah I have concerns about Gates controlling farmland. Just like I don’t want a child abuser controlling even one child, I don’t want him to control a single acre … First, land is precious … It may be more precious than anything. I hate to see someone, who has no idea what to do with it, be put in a position to control it. How well do you think that I would do running a tech company or financial institution? It’s the same logic as letting a guy like Gates manage something as complex as an ecosystem. He lacks the understanding to steward it properly.”
Harris continued with his second concern:
“Second, the whole deal has been kept way too secretive … An article that was dated May 4, 2021, informed us that Gates has purchased over 200,000 acres in 18 states. Georgia was not listed as one of the 18 states, but an acquaintance of mine sold his farm located in Georgia to Gates prior to that time. What else are they lying about?”
Harris’ third concern is Gates’ mindset, thinking technology will be the be-all and end-all to any problem. Haris said:
“Third. Gates believes that the cure for all problems is more technology … Everything looks like a nail if your only tool is a hammer. I have a deep understanding of how misapplied technology is responsible for most of the land management problems that we are experiencing today.”
His fourth concern is that Gates “is heavily invested in plant-based protein.”
“He does not understand that proper animal impact is not responsible for climate change … In fact, proper animal impact is an essential component for the mitigation of climate change. This environmental mitigation cannot be replicated within a monocultural pea and soy farming operation.”
Harris’ fifth concern:
“Fifth, ask the farmers of India and Africa how beneficial Gates’ influence was to their agricultural systems … If you research the failed AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa) program you’ll get a sneak peak [sic] on the repercussions of letting a businessman make farming decisions. That billionaire-leopard ain’t gonna change the spots that made him the most powerful man in the world.”
He concludes with a direct letter to Gates:
“If you are truly interested in the welfare of people, land, and climate, please come to my farm and let me share what I know, based on my 67 years of experience … You have an open invitation.
Harris posted these concerns to warn people about Gates’ land purchases and his plant protein climate change investments.
As I reported last week, beef prices are expected to increase even more as farmers are forced to sell off cattle herds.