North Dakota AG asks trust ‘linked to Bill Gates’ to justify farmland purchase near Canadian border

A trust allegedly tied to Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates has been asked to justify a recent purchase of farmland in North Dakota that has made residents ‘livid.’

Red River Trust reportedly acquired six parcels of land near the borders of Minnesota and Canada in November that officials say may violate state corporate farming laws.

North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley issued a letter to the trust Tuesday asking officials to confirm plans for use of the land and whether the company meets any of the exceptions to the state’s laws.

If Red River Trust did violate state laws, the company will be forced to divest itself from the land and could be fined up to $100,000.

Gates is considered the largest private owner of farmland in America after having quietly amassed approximately 270,000…