Over a lifetime, farmers can expect to have about 40 growing seasons, giving them just 40 chances to improve on every harvest. In 2006, philanthropist and farmer Howard G. Buffett set out to help the most vulnerable population on earth—nearly a billion people who lack basic food security—and gave himself 40 years to invest more than $3 billion in solutions to meet this challenge.
Buffett’s new book 40 Chances: Finding Hope in a Hungry World (Simon & Schuster), written with his son Howard W. Buffett, documents the scope and urgency of the global food crisis. It also examines how innovative approaches to the agricultural, ecological, and social aspects of hunger can address the needs of nations caught in its grip. Told in a series of 40 stories, the book also follows Buffett’s path as a philanthropist and activist, and examines how the idea of having 40 productive years to do the best job possible can serve as a driving force in anyone’s life, whatever their passions or goals may be.
Buffett is the founder and president of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation. Among other business and philanthropic activities, he operates a 1,500-acre family farm in central Illinois and oversees three foundation-operated research farms. The foundation’s executive director, Howard W. Buffett, previously directed agriculture-based economic stabilization and redevelopment programs in Iraq and Afghanistan for the Defense Department and operates a 400 acre no-till farm in Nebraska.
This program is the Buffetts’ only public Washington-area appearance for their book. Copies of 40 Chances will be available for signing.
This program is in partnership with the Capital Area Food Bank.
Other Connections
In an interview with NPR, Howard G. Buffett talks about the impact of hunger at home and internationally, and how his foundation and research farms are attempting to combat the growing problem.
