Members of the Busch family ownership group of Grant's Farm, from left, Peter Busch, Trudy Busch Valentine, Andrew Busch, and Robert Hermann Jr., announced Monday, Aug. 23, 2021 their partnership with Anheuser-Busch to assume operations of Grant's Farm beginning Nov. 1. The announcement took place at Grant's Farm. Missing from the photo was fifth group member Beatrice Busch von Gontard who was not in attendance. Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com
Hillary Levin
Doug Stagner, new president of Grant's Farm, in a press conference, Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, announcing his position and also that members of the Busch family ownership group are to assume operations of Grant's Farm beginning Nov. 1. Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com
Hillary Levin
Andrew Busch, a member of the Busch family ownership group of Grant's Farm, Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com
Hillary Levin
Trudy Busch Valentine, a member of the Busch family ownership group of Grant's Farm, Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com
Hillary Levin
Peter Busch, a member of the Busch family ownership group of Grant's Farm, Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com.
Hillary Levin
Lynn Block, center, and her 11-year-old grandson, Preston Block, from Okemos, Mich., disembark a tour bus on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at Grant's Cabin as Roger Ottwell, right, and Ted Ball with Grant's Farm assist.Ìý
Five members of the Busch family will assume operations of the south St. Louis County attraction Grant’s Farm after a lease agreement with Anheuser-Busch ends Nov. 1, the family announced Monday.
Anheuser-Busch, which has operated the tourist side of the Affton-area site for nearly 70 years, will stay on as its main sponsor. So yes, visitors will still get to admire the brewery’s iconic Clydesdales and enjoy free beer samples at the end of a tour.
Now, the brewery leases and operates Grant’s Farm under an agreement of the ownership group of Andrew Busch, Peter Busch, Robert Hermann Jr., Trudy Busch Valentine and Beatrice Busch von Gontard.
Hermann noted Monday during a news conference held in front of the lake at Grant’s Farm that these family members bought the property from other family members in 2018.
“Our unified goal was then and is now threefold. One, to keep this small piece of history intact and sustainable for future generations. Two, to keep it open to the public as a civic duty to our great city of St. Louis. And three, to hopefully not lose too much money doing it.â€
The family dispute over the farm had gone to court in 2015 after the St. Louis Zoo Association announced it wanted to buy the farm, but family member Billy Busch opposed it.
Doug Stagner, who has more than 30 years of experience in the parks and attractions industry, was introduced Monday as the first president of Grant’s Farm.
“I look forward to providing our guests with a combination of old and new experiences that give them reasons to visit us here at Grant’s Farm often throughout the year, and year after year,†he said.
The farm was once owned by Ulysses S. Grant and was acquired by August A. Busch Sr. in 1903.
Photos: Grant's Farm reopens for $350 private tours
Grant's Farm soft opening prepares staff for full re-opening
Grant's Farm soft opening prepares staff for full re-opening
Grant's Farm soft opening prepares staff for full re-opening
Grant's Farm soft opening prepares staff for full re-opening
Grant's Farm soft opening prepares staff for full re-opening
Grant's Farm soft opening prepares staff for full re-opening
Grant's Farm soft opening prepares staff for full re-opening
The farm would be operated by Anheuser-Busch InBev under a lease from the family, similar to the arrangement that has been in place since InBe…
Members of the Busch family ownership group of Grant's Farm, from left, Peter Busch, Trudy Busch Valentine, Andrew Busch, and Robert Hermann Jr., announced Monday, Aug. 23, 2021 their partnership with Anheuser-Busch to assume operations of Grant's Farm beginning Nov. 1. The announcement took place at Grant's Farm. Missing from the photo was fifth group member Beatrice Busch von Gontard who was not in attendance. Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com
Doug Stagner, new president of Grant's Farm, in a press conference, Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, announcing his position and also that members of the Busch family ownership group are to assume operations of Grant's Farm beginning Nov. 1. Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com
Trudy Busch Valentine, a member of the Busch family ownership group of Grant's Farm, Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com
Lynn Block, center, and her 11-year-old grandson, Preston Block, from Okemos, Mich., disembark a tour bus on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at Grant's Cabin as Roger Ottwell, right, and Ted Ball with Grant's Farm assist.Ìý