Monsanto Fund Opens Nominations for Fifth Year of Canada's Farmers Grow Communities Program

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwired - Feb. 11, 2016) - In four years, the Monsanto Fund's Canada's Farmers Grow Communities program has awarded $625,000 to rural charities serving more than 300,000 people across the country. This year another 66 grants valued at $2,500 each will be up for grabs by Canadian farmers on behalf of their favourite charities.

To date the winning charities include: 21 agricultural societies; 18 schools; 14 health-related organizations; 12 4H clubs; 12 daycares; and many other deserving organizations like libraries, service clubs, heritage clubs, fire departments, sports clubs and food banks across nine provinces.

"When you look at the list of charities nominated over four years, you see quite a collection of organizations that are important not only to farmers, but also to their communities," said Kelly Funke, public affairs manager for Monsanto Canada. "Local residents know their community needs best, and if we can help support them while shining a light on the important contributions of farmers, that's a win for everyone."

Farmers who are considering an application are encouraged to think about their favourite local charities or non-profit organizations and take five minutes to apply online at www.canadasfarmers.ca.

Once again in 2016, two $2,500 grants will be awarded in each of 33 different territories across the grain growing regions of northeastern BC (Peace River district), Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime Provinces. Applications are open now through September 30, 2016. And anyone can suggest a charity for a farmer to discover! All it takes is a visit to www.CanadasFarmers.ca where complete contest rules and an online application form are available. Winners will be selected by random draw on or about November 1, 2016 and notified by November 15, 2016.

About The Monsanto Fund

The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work. You can learn more at www.monsantofund.org.

About Monsanto Canada

Headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Monsanto Canada Inc. is part of the larger global Monsanto Company. Monsanto is an agricultural company committed to bringing a broad range of solutions to help nourish our growing world. We produce a variety of seeds ranging from fruits and vegetables to key crops - such as corn, soybeans, canola and cotton - that help farmers produce abundant and nutritious food. We work to find sustainable agriculture solutions that help farmers conserve natural resources, use data to improve farming practices, use water and other important resources more efficiently, and protect their crops from pests and disease. Through programs and partnerships, we collaborate with farmers, researchers, nonprofit organizations, universities and others to help tackle some of the world's biggest challenges.

To learn more about Monsanto, please visit: www.monsanto.ca or follow us on Twitter @MonsantoCda.