The Anheuser-Busch Foundation said it will commit $530,000 to support model farms at four land-grant universities around the country, with a primary focus on enhancing environmental sustainability. The University of Idaho, North Dakota State University, Montana State University and University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will all receive funding for research that focuses on expanding innovative, sustainable agricultural practices.
This donation is part of Anheuser-Busch’s 2025 Sustainability Goals plan.
The universities are creating model farms to test key research questions about soil health, irrigation efficiency and other regenerative practices, allowing research and learning opportunities that can result in tangible progress in the quest for sustainable agriculture. Anheuser-Busch says it wants to use the research from these model farms to positively impact not only farmers within these regions but also around the country.
Find your school: Explore land-grant universities around the country
The donations will focus on the following areas:
- University of Idaho: The U of I-led effort to build the nation’s largest research dairy farm, Idaho CAFE, includes the Sustainable Water and Soil Health Demonstration Farm which will receive $200,000 to research rotations, cover crops and livestock integration at multiple sites including Anheuser-Busch-owned locations.
- North Dakota State University: The North Dakota Barley Council, in partnership with North Dakota State University, will receive a $150,000 contribution to their Soil Health and Agriculture Research and Extension (SHARE) Farm projects to improve soil health and production sustainability. The research focus will be on the suitability and impact of cover crops following barley in local rotations.
- Montana State University: Anheuser-Busch will continue its commitment with Montana State and donate $50,000 for additional research on the amount of water and energy saved using Low Energy Spray Application (LESA) pivots on barley while maintaining yield and quality.
- University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture: The university will receive $130,000 to establish a Discovery Farm to test different irrigation strategies that help rice farmers become more efficient and to document continuous improvement towards sustainability, including profitability and methane emission reductions.
Idaho and Montana are the top two barley producing states in the U.S., and Arkansas is the number one producer of rice. These ingredients are both key to brewing high quality beer. Each donation will be coordinated individually with the universities at different points of this year.
