Anheuser-Busch and American Farmland Trust say the initiative will support rural communities and American farms.
Anheuser-Busch recently unveiled the nationwide introduction of its U.S. Farmed certification and seal, endorsed by several of its top beer brands. This initiative demonstrates the company’s commitment to U.S. farmers, including those in Illinois, where agricultural products generated $26.4 billion in sales in 2021. The certification, developed and authenticated by the American Farmland Trust (AFT)—a national nonprofit dedicated to helping farmers maintain their land—assures consumers that at least 95% of the agricultural ingredients are sourced from U.S. farms.
Anheuser-Busch annually purchases more than $41 million in corn from Illinois growers. The company and AFT encourage Illinois consumers to choose products with the U.S. Farmed seal, contributing to the livelihood of U.S. farmers and bolstering the domestic supply chain, thereby ensuring a prosperous agricultural future in America. The seal will begin appearing on Anheuser-Busch’s brnds in May.
The broader consumer-packaged goods (CPG) industry is invited to participate by securing U.S. Farmed certification for their U.S.-sourced products. AFT plans to use the funds from these certifications to enhance support programs and offer free resources and advisory services to farmers nationwide.
The U.S. Farmed certification seeks to significantly impact American agriculture through an industry-wide initiative, supported by Anheuser-Busch’s “Choose Beer Grown Here” campaign, which promotes the certification to consumers.
“American farmers are the backbone of this country, and Anheuser-Busch has been deeply connected to the U.S. agricultural community and committed to sourcing high-quality ingredients from U.S. farmers for more than 165 years – that’s who we are,” stated Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth in a recent news release. “We source nearly all the ingredients in our iconic American beers from hard-working U.S. farmers – many of whom we have worked with for generations. The U.S. Farmed certification takes our commitment to the next level, and we are proud to lead the industry in rallying behind American farmers to ensure the future of U.S. agriculture, which is crucial to our country’s economy. We look forward to other companies joining us in seeking U.S. Farmed certification for their products so that together we can make an even greater impact and show our support for American farmers.”
The release stated that the certification arrives at a pivotal time for American agriculture. AFT indicates that in the next 15 years, more than 30% of the nation’s farmland may change hands as older farmers retire. At the same time, challenges such as farmland loss and financial barriers for new farmers threaten agricultural sustainability. The U.S. Farmed certification directly addresses these issues, offering crucial support and innovative strategies to help farmers maintain and protect their land and plan for its future.
“For over four decades, American Farmland Trust has worked tirelessly to ensure the land that sustains us remains in farming and its soils stay healthy and productive. Now, with the launch of the U.S. Farmed certification, we’re taking a bold step to help secure the future of American agriculture and create both a movement and a market niche that celebrates and supports our nation’s farmers,” Beth Sauerhaft AFT Acting President and CEO Beth Sauerhaft explained in the release. “Each U.S. Farmed certification has the potential to open new opportunities for farmers to receive assistance with succession planning, farmland protection tools for their operations, and other useful tactics to safeguard their land – our nation’s food systems. We appreciate Anheuser-Busch’s leadership in bringing the U.S. Farmed certification to some of the country’s most iconic brands, while also making tangible impact for American farmers.”
“When Illinoisans are deciding which products to buy, they deserve to know whether their purchase will support America’s hard-working farmers,” stated Mark Denzler, president & CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “I applaud Anheuser-Busch for being the first company to feature the American Farmland Trust’s U.S. Farmed logo on its packaging, keeping our rural communities strong by promoting American-grown ingredients.”
For additional information about the U.S. Farmed certification and seal, including resources for American Farmers and product certification, visit http://www.farmland.org/us-farmed.
