Monsanto Co. announced a $10 million grant to establish the Beachell-Borlaug International Scholars Program to identify and support young scientists interested in improving research and production in rice and wheat through plant breeding techniques. Students interested in applying to the program can find more details at www.monsanto.com/mbbischolars. Applications will be accepted until May 31. Announcement of the first year’s winners will coincide with the annual World Food Prize event, scheduled for Oct. 15 in Des Moines.

Jeff Wellington, former vice president and publisher of Reader’s Digest, will become publisher of Meredith Corp.’s ReadyMade magazine on March 30, the company announced Wednesday. Wellington also has been president and group publisher of Time Inc.’s Parenting Group and has held senior-level advertising sales and publishing positions with GQ, Cosmopolitan and Spy magazines. He will be based at Meredith’s New York office.

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services said Wednesday that it may cut Berkshire Hathaway Inc.’s AAA rating if the insurance-focused conglomerate run by Warren Buffett can’t boost its capital in a year or two. The service affirmed Berkshire’s AAA rating but revised its outlook to negative from stable, MarketWatch reported. If, over the next 12 months, Berkshire’s big equity investments stabilize or improve, or if the company can rebuild capital in one or two years through earnings or other means, the outlook could be revised back to stable, S&P said. Reducing the volatility of Berkshire’s capital position might help too, the agency added.

Author and Des Moines native Bill Bryson will present Drake University’s spring Martin Bucksbaum Distinguished Lecture at 7:30 p.m. April 2 in the Drake Knapp Center, 2525 Forest Ave. The event, titled “You Can Go Home Again: An Evening With Bill Bryson,” is free and open to the public. In addition, Bryson will be recognized with an honorary doctor of humane letters degree. Bryson also will receive an alumni achievement award at 1:30 p.m. April 2 in the Cowles Library reading room, 2725 University Ave. That event also is open to the public.

Wells Fargo & Co. will offer free shredding of paper documents as a defense against identity theft from 9 a.m. to noon April 4 at branches at 2840 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, and 9801 University Ave., Clive. Iron Mountain Inc. will use a mobile paper shredder to destroy documents on-site.