Deseret Ranch

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Located 20 miles (32km) south of Cape Canaveral, Florida, Deseret Ranch is the one of the largest ranches in the United States today.^{[citation needed]} This ranch, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spreads over the three central Florida counties of Osceola, Orange, and Brevard. Covering almost 300,000 acres (1200 km²) of land, Deseret Ranch is home to 80 ranchers, their families, and 44,000 head of cattle. It is a for profit operation and only nominally associated with the humanitarian efforts of the LDS Church.

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 miles long and 30 wide, with a separate section surrounding Kenansville in Osceola County. Although the Church does not disclose the revenue of the ranch, it is known that in year 2000 they moved 16 million pounds (7300 t) of calves, which at the time translated to about US$16 million in revenue.

The Deseret Ranch also brings in revenue from the mining of native shell beds (which is used throughout Florida to pave roads), orange groves, hunting permits, and sales of ornamental palm trees.

[edit] See also

Florida Trend Article on Deseret Ranch