Anheuser-Busch Grants $200,000+ to Support Rice Research and Farmers

Anheuser-Busch Rice Research Grant:

Anheuser-Busch is putting its money behind one of the most important ingredients in some of America’s most recognizable beers: American-grown rice. As the company celebrates National Rice Month, it is announcing more than $200,000 in new grants designed to support rice research, farmer education and partnerships throughout the industry.

The investment is particularly significant for Arkansas, the nation’s leading rice-producing state and home to more than 80 rice farmers who partner with Anheuser-Busch rice research. The company’s relationship with American agriculture extends far beyond rice, with approximately $700 million spent each year sourcing agricultural ingredients from U.S. farmers.

The latest grants also demonstrate how ingredients such as rice connect American farms directly to the beer in consumers’ hands. With the company’s 10-ton ComBar scheduled to visit Arkansas in November, Anheuser-Busch is putting an even bigger spotlight on the farmers and agricultural communities behind brands including Budweiser, Bud Light and Michelob ULTRA.

Here is the complete announcement from Anheuser-Busch:

GRANTS BUILD ON THE COMPANY’S $700 MILLION ANNUAL INVESTMENT IN INGREDIENTS SOURCED FROM 700 AMERICAN FARMERS, INCLUDING 80 ARKANSAS RICE FARMERS

Key Facts:

• · $200,000+ awarded to support rice research and farmers in celebration of National Rice Month
• · Anheuser-Busch is the nation’s largest end user of rice, which helps give beers like Budweiser, Bud Light and Michelob ULTRA their crisp, clean finish
• · Anheuser-Busch spends $700 million annually sourcing nearly all its agricultural ingredients from U.S. farmers
• · The ComBar will travel to Arkansas in November to celebrate the farmers behind the company’s iconic beers

September 14, 2026 – St. Louis, MO – Today, Anheuser-Busch (NYSE: BUD), a leading American manufacturer and maker of Michelob ULTRA, Busch Light, Budweiser, and Bud Light, announced more than $200,000 in grants to support rice research, grower education, and industry partnerships as part of its celebration of National Rice Month.

For more than 165 years, Anheuser-Busch has proudly supported American farmers and today sources nearly all of the ingredients in its iconic American beers from U.S. growers. The company maintains longstanding partnerships with more than 700 farmers across the country, including more than 80 rice farmers in Arkansas, and purchases $700 million in agricultural ingredients from American farmers each year.

Damola Oshin, Chief Procurement Officer, Anheuser-Busch said: “Great beer starts with great ingredients, and great ingredients start with farmers. We’re proud to support organizations that are advancing research and innovation across the rice industry. These investments help strengthen American agriculture and support the farmers and communities that make our beers possible.”

As the largest end user of rice in the United States, Anheuser-Busch relies on high-quality American-grown rice to give beers like Budweiser and Michelob ULTRA their crisp, clean finish. Through investments in research, innovation, and farmer-focused programs, the company is helping strengthen the future of America’s rice-growing communities.

Grant recipients include:

• University of Arkansas | $130,000: Supporting research on rice quality, brewing applications, and long-term crop management
• Arkansas State University Rice Program | $10,000: Advancing resilient, high-yield rice production systems and sharing results with growers
• Ducks Unlimited | $15,000: Developing farmer-facing resources that highlight rice production best practices and available support opportunities through the U.S. Department of Agriculture
• USA Rice | $50,000: Supporting initiatives that help advance opportunities for rice farmers and strengthen rice-growing communities

Arkansas is the nation’s leading rice-producing state and an important source of the high-quality rice used in many of Anheuser-Busch’s beers. The company’s continued investment in rice-focused research and partnerships reflects its longstanding commitment to American farmers.

Seth Watkins, an Arkansas rice farmer partner, said: “I’m proud to know the rice we grow on our farm helps brew iconic beers enjoyed by millions of Americans. The investments Anheuser-Busch rice research is making in research right here in Arkansas helps farmers like me improve how we grow, identify what works best for our farms, and continue producing high-quality rice for years to come.”

The announcement builds on Anheuser-Busch’s ongoing efforts to invest in American agriculture through partnerships that advance innovation and support farming communities. To further celebrate National Rice Month, Anheuser-Busch will bring its traveling ComBar to Arkansas this November. The 10-ton mobile bar serves as a tribute to the American farmers behind the company’s iconic beers and will give consumers an opportunity to learn more about ingredients like Arkansas-grown rice. As the first company to bring U.S. Farmed certified beer brands to shelves nationwide, including Michelob ULTRA, Budweiser, Busch, Busch Light, and Bud Light, Anheuser-Busch continues to encourage consumers to “Choose Beer Grown Here” and support the American farmers who help make its beers possible.

Related Anheuser-Busch coverage on MyBeerBuzz.com: For more from one of America’s largest brewing companies, check out our coverage of the Anheuser-Busch ComBar celebrating American farmers and U.S. Farmed beer, the $80,000 Anheuser-Busch agricultural technology grant to Grand Farm, the $20 million-plus Anheuser-Busch investment in Missouri facilities and Michelob ULTRA production, and our coverage of Anheuser-Busch’s $600 million U.S. manufacturing investment

ABOUT ANHEUSER-BUSCH

At Anheuser-Busch, our purpose is to create a future with more cheers. For more than 165 years as a leading American manufacturer, we have delivered a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. As the nation’s top brewer, one of the fastest growing spirits companies, and an insurgent force in energy drinks, we drive economic prosperity nationwide through investments in our people, facilities, and communities. We are the only alcohol company that invests in the U.S. at this scale.

We are home to the nation’s most iconic beers, ready-to-drink spirits and beyond beer brands, including Michelob ULTRA – America’s #1 top-selling and fastest-growing beer – Busch Light, Budweiser, Bud Light, Stella Artois, Cutwater Spirits, NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, industry-leading craft beers and non-alcohol beers like Michelob ULTRA Zero. We are guided by our commitment to the communities we call home and to the 65,000 hardworking Americans who bring our products to life. That’s who we are. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram.

FAQs

1. Why is rice important to Anheuser-Busch?

Anheuser-Busch is the largest end user of rice in the United States, as rice is an important ingredient in many of the company’s iconic beers, including Budweiser, Bud Light, and Michelob ULTRA, helping deliver their crisp, clean finish.

2. Why is Anheuser-Busch focused on Arkansas?

Arkansas is the nation’s leading rice-producing state and is home to more than 80 rice farmers who partner with Anheuser-Busch rice research. The state plays a critical role in helping supply the high-quality rice used in many of the company’s beers.

3. How does this fit into Anheuser-Busch’s broader commitment to agriculture?

Anheuser-Busch rice research has supported American farmers for more than 165 years and purchases $700 million in agricultural ingredients from U.S. farmers annually. The company partners with 700 farmers nationwide and sources nearly all the ingredients in its iconic American beers from American farms.

4. What is the ComBar?

The ComBar – short for “combine” plus “bar”— is a first of its kind 10-ton, 400+ square foot mobile bar engineered from a real combine harvester, built to honor the American farmers behind Anheuser-Busch’s iconic beers.

5. When will the ComBar visit Arkansas?

The ComBar is scheduled to visit Jonesboro, Arkansas the first weekend of November for Anheuser-Busch’s Arkansas Grower Celebrations.

6. What is U.S. Farmed?

Anheuser-Busch rice research is proud to be the first company to achieve and bring U.S. Farmed certified brands to shelves across the country, starting with our industry-leading Michelob ULTRA, Budweiser, Busch, Busch Light, and Bud Light beers. This certification, indicating that at least 95% of agricultural ingredients are grown in the United States, makes it easier than ever for consumers to choose products that benefit American farmers.

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