You might be thinking: “Berkshire Hathaway is a massive empire—insurance, railroads, Coca-Cola. Why pick a farmer to lead it?” Fair question. But here’s the thing: Howard has been on Berkshire’s board since 1992. He knows the business, but he brings something totally different to the table.
His dad, Warren, once said, “He’s the only one who can be chairman.” That’s a big vote of confidence. Howard’s job isn’t to run the day-to-day—that’s for the CEO. His role? Protect the culture, be the guardian of Berkshire’s soul. And what better guardian than a guy who understands patience, cycles, and long-term growth?
Farming and Investing: More Alike Than You Think
Think about it: farming is the ultimate long game. You plant seeds, wait for rain, deal with droughts, and hope for a harvest. Sound familiar? Warren Buffett’s whole thing is “buy and hold forever.” Howard lives that philosophy—literally, in the dirt.
A philanthropist and farmer at heart, Howard, the charitable heir of
He once said, “If you don’t like volatility, you shouldn’t farm.” Same goes for investing, right? The stock market has its storms, just like the weather. Howard’s lived through both. He’s not rattled by a bad quarter or a tough season. That’s exactly the calm hand Berkshire needs in a chaotic world.
