Elon Musk, the iconic individual behind Tesla and SpaceX, owns very little farmland. An investigation of his properties across the US by legal document site, Reveal News, found that Musk owns only a mere 11 acres of undeveloped farmland in Southern California. Further, the investigation revealed that Musk only owns a tiny portion of land in either Texas or Nevada, making him an unconventionally small-scale farmer in comparison to others in the US. This is rather surprising because, for a man of Musk’s stature, owning a large-scale farm would seem more fitting with his social media image.
In an interview with Reveal News, agricultural economist Michael Roberts discussed the lack of farmland owned by the likes of Musk. Roberts stated that, “There used to be a time when wealthy people wanted to acquire farmland to promote their public image; to remain visible in their communities”. Roberts further indicated that owning large parts of land was once seen as a sign of affluent status, however this mentality has changed due to the population growth in recent decades, meaning farmland is generally in demand. Therefore, it is now less likely that individuals, like Musk, are able to acquire large areas of unclaimed land.
It is unlikely that Elon Musk ever intended of using the 11 acres of farmland for farming purposes, given that the land is located in an urban area in Southern California, which is subject to highly regulated land-use rules. Moreover, a curious find disclosed in the report of Elon Musk’s farm, was that there has been no construction of any form on the land, since Musk’s acquisition of the land back in 2010. This suggests that the land is of sentimental value to Musk, as it serves as a lasting memory of his grandfather who once owned the land.
Due to Musk’s organization, SpaceX, recently sending astronauts to the International Space Station, more people have been made aware of their admiration for the electric vehicle magnate. As such, this has put Musk in the spotlight, with people expecting grandeur accomplishments and projects, however, the news of Musk’s small land ownership has shed some light on the fact that he is a human, one that came from humble beginnings.
Agricultural Reform
The output of farmland in the US is a prominent issue that has been frequently discussed amongst politicians. The agricultural reforms that are currently in place are highly outdated, some from as early as 1949. The US Department of Agriculture claims that land reform is needed to increase efficiency in farming, as well as reducing overall poverty in rural communities. There is no denying that agricultural reform is necessary, however, the reformation process could easily take over a decade and result in complete changes to investment policies that are in place in areas like California, possession of which may affect people, like Musk, who possess these areas of land.
In 2020, Senate Democrats introduced a bill which seeks to implement reforms to the US Agriculture sector, and emphasizes policies which could lead to an economic recovery in rural America. The Agricultural Improvement Act statements that it seeks to encourages the development of renewable energy stored on farmlands and encourages investments in rural communities. A positive influence that the Agricultural Improvement Act could have is more people investing into renewable energy sources, and implementation of sustainable agricultural methods.
Agricultural reforms have been elaborately discussed since the 1970s, with no concrete change actually achieved. The introduction of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2020 will be detrimental to the US economy, however it is unclear what impact it would have on people of higher social statuses, like Elon Musk. A major issue with these reforms is that the way in which land is owned is also likely to be reformed, making land sourcing more difficult for individuals like Musk.
Community Engagement
The plot of farmland owned by Elon Musk is located in an urban Californian community. The plot of land has been untouched since Musk bought it a decade ago, and whilst it is clear that Musk never intended to use it in a farming context, the plot of land still has the potential to serve a community purpose, especially in its location. Studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between increasing access local public land and increasing public health standards in areas, as people are strengthen are able to become more active and engaged members of the community.
Moreover, the numerous studies undertaken across the US have highlighted the misuse of public land, with a focus on enhancing the use of limited local access land. It has been argued that making public access more accessible leads to more people utilising the land, such as for recreational purposes, for example running, walking, cycle-riding and more. Another example of how Elon Musk’s land could be used to benefit the community is through the involvement of a range of community amenities. The land could be used for the construction of local playgrounds, for instance, which would enable neighborhood children to have safe places to play and explore. The land could also be used as a public park, with public seating and a garden, to enable people to socialize and come together as part of a community.
The local access to land needs to be increased, increased land availability, in areas across the US has resulted in a decrease in mental health issues, linked to the feeling of isolation that commonly arise in urbanized areas. The access to local open areas in turn enhances the understanding of localities felt by the people living in that area, this then leads to an increase in individuals being an active component of the community.
