Harry Stine, founder of Stine Seed Company, is America’s richest farmer and a pioneer in agricultural genetics. Starting from his family farm in Iowa, he built a multibillion-dollar seed empire by licensing advanced soybean and corn genetics to major agribusinesses like Monsanto, Syngenta, and Corteva. Known for his relentless focus on research and intellectual property, Stine has played a central role in shaping modern farming practices, while maintaining a low-profile lifestyle that contrasts with his outsized influence on global agriculture.

Hansjörg Wyss, Swiss billionaire and philanthropist, built his fortune through medical device maker Synthes, which he sold to Johnson & Johnson for nearly $20 billion in 2012. An engineer by training, Wyss expanded Synthes into a global leader in orthopedic implants before turning his focus to large-scale philanthropy. Through the Wyss Foundation, he has committed billions to environmental conservation, scientific research, and public interest journalism, becoming one of the world’s most influential advocates for protecting wild lands and advancing sustainable solutions.

Glen A. Taylor, Minnesota billionaire businessman, built his fortune through Taylor Corporation, one of the largest privately held printing and marketing companies in the U.S. Starting as an employee, he bought the company in 1975 and expanded it into a diversified enterprise spanning printing, communications, and technology solutions. Beyond business, Taylor is well known as owner of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx, as well as a former state senator. His career blends entrepreneurship, sports ownership, and community engagement, making him a prominent figure in both business and civic life.

Frank VanderSloot, founder and CEO of Melaleuca, transformed a small wellness startup into a billion-dollar direct-marketing giant offering nutritional, personal care, and household products. Since launching the Idaho-based company in 1985, he has built a network serving millions of customers across multiple countries, leveraging a unique referral-based model. A vocal advocate for entrepreneurship and conservative causes, VanderSloot has combined business acumen with philanthropic initiatives, cementing his status as one of America’s most successful self-made entrepreneurs in the health and wellness industry.

Farris Wilks is a self-made billionaire who, alongside his brother Dan, founded Frac Tech Services in 2002. After selling their majority stake for approximately $3.5 billion in 2011, Farris now directs his wealth into evangelical philanthropy, major land ownership across Idaho and Montana, and leads the Assembly of Yahweh 7th Day church in Cisco. He is also one of the most prolific conservative donors nationally. 

Brad M. Kelley is an American self-made billionaire, best known for founding Commonwealth Brands in 1991 and selling it in 2001 for $1 billion. After building a tobacco empire, he reinvested his wealth by assembling over 1 million acres of land across Texas, Florida, and New Mexico—making him one of the top private landowners in the U.S. His portfolio includes iconic assets like Calumet Farm, horseback racing interests, and media holdings such as Lonely Planet. He’s also a passionate conservationist and philanthropist

Archie Aldis “Red” Emmerson is the American timber magnate and founder of Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI), the country’s largest privately held lumber and timberland company. Beginning with a single sawmill in 1949, Emmerson expanded his enterprise through strategic land acquisitions—totaling over 2.5 million acres—and vertical integration across manufacturing, millwork, and biomass energy.