In 1986, Warren Buffett bought a 400-acre Nebraska farm for $280,000: nearly 40 years later, his son farms there and champions soil conservation over managing billions

For decades, Warren Buffett built one of the largest business empires in the United States. His son, Howard Graham Buffett, took a different path. Instead of dedicating himself to investments and finance, he chose agriculture and made soil conservation a central pillar of his work.

Howard’s connection to farming began long before his father considered him for a future role at Berkshire Hathaway. According to The Times of India, in 1986, Warren Buffett purchased a 400-acre farm in Nebraska, about 50 miles north of Omaha, for $280,000. The property was acquired from the FDIC following the collapse of Midwest farmland prices and was later leased to Howard under a rental agreement.

In Warren Buffett’s account of that investment, his son loved farming and helped him calculate the property’s potential yield and operating costs.

The arrangement between the two featured an unusual quirk. According to the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, Howard had to pay 5% annually plus either 22% or 26% of the farm’s gross revenue. The percentage depended on his weight. The threshold was set at 182.5 pounds. If Howard stayed below that number, he paid the lower percentage; if he exceeded it, his rent went up.

Years later, Howard recalled that his father owned the land and he paid a portion of the income as rent. He also took the weight-related clause with good humor, calling it the Buffett family’s version of Weight Watchers.

Over the years, farming became a central part of his life. Howard worked primarily with corn and soybeans, running agricultural operations in both Nebraska and Illinois. He also expanded his interests into food security, sustainable agriculture, and soil conservation techniques.

One of his primary focuses is no-till farming. This method reduces mechanical soil disturbance and avoids repeated tilling. According to The Times of India, Howard maintains he knows its benefits firsthand, highlighting lower fuel consumption and reduced tractor operating hours.

His foundation has also funded research on conservation agriculture and large-scale trials comparing no-till farming with traditional methods.

Howard also operates a 1,500-acre farm in Pana, Illinois. His agricultural work coexists with his involvement at Berkshire Hathaway, where he has served on the board of directors since 1993.

The company’s evolving leadership structure has also opened up potential future roles for him. Greg Abel assumed the role of CEO of Berkshire Hathaway on January 1, 2026, while Warren Buffett remains chairman. Howard could later step into the role of non-executive chairman, a position designed to preserve the company’s culture rather than manage its businesses or investments.

The final decision will rest with Berkshire Hathaway’s board of directors. For Howard, that potential responsibility would not mean stepping away from farming, as his priority remains tied to the land, crops, and soil conservation.