This asset just hit all-time highs — and Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos are quietly loading up. How to not miss out

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Stocks are surging. Bitcoin is booming. But while everyone’s watching Wall Street and crypto, one of America’s oldest assets has just smashed records — and billionaires are snapping it up.

Enter farmland.

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According to the USDA’s Land Values 2025 Summary report, the average U.S. farmland value climbed to a record $4,350 per acre this year — up 4.3% from 2024. That’s an 89.1% jump from 2011, when an acre cost just $2,300.

The gains span both cropland and pasture:

Cropland: up 95.6% since 2011 to $5,830 per acre. Pasture: up 79.4% over the same period to $1,920 per acre.

Farmland rarely makes headlines — it’s not as flashy as AI stocks or cryptocurrencies — yet it has a timeless appeal: come what may, people always need to eat.

It’s no wonder some of America’s wealthiest individuals have staked big claims in this space. According to The Land Report, Jeff Bezos owns 462,000 acres of farmland, while Bill Gates holds 275,000 acres.

Warren Buffett: ‘I’ll write you a check’ for this timeless asset

Warren Buffett may be best known for his decades-long winning streak in the stock market, but he’s also a fan of farmland — highlighting it as a productive asset that can generate value year after year.

“If you said … for a 1% interest in all the farmland in the United States, pay our group $25 billion, I’ll write you a check this afternoon,” Buffett stated in 2022.

The good news? You don’t need $25 billion — or know how to grow crops — to get in on the opportunity.

FarmTogether is an all-in-one investment platform that lets qualified investors buy stakes in U.S. farmland. The platform identifies high-potential agricultural properties and then partners with experienced local operators to manage the land effectively.

Depending on the type of stake you want, you can get a cut from both the leasing fees and crop sales, providing you with cash income. Then, years down the line after the farm rises in value, you can benefit from the land appreciating and profit from its sale.

Read more: Nervous about the stock market? Gain potential quarterly income through this $1B private real estate fund — even if you’re not a millionaire. Here’s how to get started with as little as $10

Another income asset Buffett would pay billions for

In that same 2022 remark about farmland, Buffett added that if you offered him “1% of all the apartment houses in the country” for $25 billion, he would “write you a check.”

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Why? Because no matter what’s happening in the broader economy, people still need a place to live and apartments can consistently produce rent money.

Real estate also has a long track record as an inflation hedge. When inflation rises, property values often increase as well, reflecting the higher costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rents typically increase, giving landlords a revenue stream that helps offset inflation’s bite.

Again, you don’t need billions — or even to buy an entire property — to benefit from real estate investing. Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived offer an easier way to get exposure to this income-generating asset class.

Backed by world class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants.

The process is simple: browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you’d like to purchase and then sit back as you start receiving any positive rental income distributions from your investment.

Another option is First National Realty Partners (FNRP), which allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord.

With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns.

Simply answer a few questions — including how much you would like to invest — to start browsing their full list of available properties.

Another old, tangible asset hitting new highs

Farmland isn’t the only age-old asset making waves in 2025.

Gold — a store of value for thousands of years — is glittering once again. Its price has surged more than 35% over the past 12 months.

Ray Dalio, founder of the world’s largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, recently highlighted gold’s importance in a resilient portfolio.

“People don't have, typically, an adequate amount of gold in their portfolio,” he told CNBC earlier this year. “When bad times come, gold is a very effective diversifier.”

Gold’s appeal as a safe-haven investment is nothing new. It’s not tied to any one country, currency or economy. It can’t be printed out of thin air like fiat money and investors tend to pile in during times of economic turmoil or geopolitical uncertainty — driving up its value.

One way to invest in gold that also provides significant tax advantages is to open a gold IRA with the help of Thor Metals.

Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, which combines the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an attractive option for those looking to potentially hedge their retirement funds against economic uncertainties.

To learn more, you can get a free information guide that includes details on how to get up to $20,000 in free metals on qualifying purchases.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

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