Anheuser-Busch and USA Rice Partner to Support Sustainable Rice Farming

JONESBORO, AR (September 1, 2021) — The Anheuser-Busch Foundation today announced a donation of $100,000 to USA Rice to support the organization's Rice Stewardship Partnership-a public-private venture between USA Rice, Ducks Unlimited, USDA, and supply chain partners that provides growers with technical and financial support to transition to more efficient irrigation, nutrient, and energy practices while creating wildlife habitat on working ricelands.

This marks the fourth year in a row that the country's leading brewer and its charitable foundation have supported this initiative.

“Anheuser-Busch's continued investment in the Rice Stewardship Partnership will provide opportunities to support U.S. rice farmers and their growing operations, as well as allow them to test new technology to improve their operations and meet sustainability goals. Investments like these are what sustain U.S. rice farmers and provide the opportunities to test new agriculture practices and we are very grateful for our strong partnership with Anheuser-Busch,” said Betsy Ward, President and CEO of USA Rice.

“Arkansas is proud of our role as the nation's leading rice producer,” said United States Senator John Boozman (R-AR). “This investment will support continued research and development of innovative techniques and practices to improve production, conservation and sustainability measures. Mutually beneficial partnerships like this that promote solutions for farmers, businesses and outdoor enthusiasts help us meet the changing needs of the industry and evolving challenges to creating a safe and abundant crop.”

As the largest end user of rice in the country, Anheuser-Busch sources all of its rice from American farmers, totaling more than $120 million of rice and nearly 20 million bushels last year alone. Rice helps provide the clean, crisp taste that has been a Budweiser trademark since its creation in 1876 and remains a prized ingredient in Budweiser, Bud Light and Michelob Ultra, among others.

“American farmers are the backbone of our industry, and we're committed to helping them continue to develop their efficient practices and technologies,” said Kim Rogowski, Anheuser-Busch's Director of Agronomy. “Rice plays a critical role in the high quality and great taste of some of our most popular beers, and we're proud to stand with USA Rice to help the industry thrive.”

Anheuser-Busch owns 13 agricultural facilities across the country, including a rice facility in Jonesboro, Arkansas that mills more than 2.6 million pounds of rice per day. Over the last decade, the brewer has spent more than $5.5 billion purchasing rice, corn, barley and hops from American farmers.

The Rice Stewardship Partnership was formed in 2013 when USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited joined forces to magnify conservation impacts vital to the future of rice production and wetland habitat, and it has grown significantly with new partners and supporters, such as Anheuser-Busch.

ABOUT ANHEUSER-BUSCH

For more than 160 years, Anheuser-Busch has carried on a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. Today, we own and operate more than 100 facilities, including breweries, wholesaler distribution centers, agricultural facilities and packaging plants, and have more than 19,000 colleagues across the United States. We are home to several of America's most recognizable beer brands, including Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob ULTRA and Stella Artois, as well as a number of regional brands that provide beer drinkers with a choice of the best-tasting craft beers in the industry. From responsible drinking programs and emergency drinking water donations to industry-leading sustainability efforts, we are guided by our unwavering commitment to supporting the communities we call home. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

ABOUT USA RICE

USA Rice Federation (USA Rice) is the global advocate for all segments of the U.S. rice industry.  Our mission is to ensure the health and vitality of a unified U.S. rice industry by advocating on behalf of farmers, millers, merchants, and allied businesses.  Through USA Rice, the U.S. rice industry has strong representation to ensure its voice is heard when and where it counts.

The new generation of U.S. rice production can be summed up in four words:  producing more with less.  U.S. rice farmers have a longstanding commitment to protect and preserve natural resources.  Over the past 20 years, U.S. rice farmers have increased yields by 53%, decreased land use by 35%, energy use by 38%, and water use by 53% all without the use of GMOs.

Learn more at www.usarice.com or by following USA Rice on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram  

ABOUT THE RICE STEWARDSHIP PARTNERSHIP

Rice Stewardship funders include the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Walmart Foundation, the Mosaic Company Foundation, Nestlé Purina PetCare, Chevron U.S.A., Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation, RiceTec, Entergy, Anheuser-Busch InBev, BASF, American Rice, Inc. – Riviana Foods, Inc., Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation, Delta Plastics, Riceland Foods, Corteva Agriscience, Cargill, Wells Fargo, Farmers Rice Milling Company, Horizon Ag, Turner's Creek & Bombay Hook Farms, MacDon Industries, Dow AgroSciences, Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas, and Ducks Unlimited major sponsors.