Most likely they just don't "work" the land. Let it go back to nature. The money is probably paid to his foundation, who knows how they launder it. Here in the Red River valley we have mostly small family owned farms.The big corps.that have bought up the big farms bring their own people in to run them.At one time there was about 6 families that owned most of the land on both sides of the Red,now its mostly owned by corps.Exceptions being the 4 or so pecan orchards.
I was always just a part time farmer myself, and mostly hay. Retired a few years back and now just mostly just mess around on the 5 acres I kept.As far as the old families, they were here b-4 1800. If acreage goes on the market now it is sold fast.I sold my place to a young family from Ok. Turned down more money from the land brokers because I wanted people that would make their home there. Long as you pay taxes on time govt, doesn't bother you much.If you are not familiar with it, find Paul Harvey's "God made a Farmer."