Canada's Farmers Grow Communities Program Now Accepting Applications for 2013

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwire - Jan. 7, 2013) - The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, announced today that Canada's Farmers Grow Communities is now accepting applications for 2013.

Canada's Farmers Grow Communities is about growing communities and improving lives. With the generous support of the Monsanto Fund, Canada's Farmers Grow Communities will give back to farmers and rural communities by providing farmers with a chance to win $2,500 for a local charitable or not-for-profit group important to them and their rural community.

"Supporting rural communities and improving the lives of rural residents is a key focus for the Monsanto Fund and our corporative giving activities in Canada," said Trish Jordan, public and industry affairs director with Monsanto Canada. "Canada's Farmers Grow Communities gives farmers the opportunity to strengthen their communities while highlighting the important role farmers play in improving the lives of rural residents and society as a whole."

First offered on a Canada-wide basis in 2012, a total of 58 winners nominated by farmers in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Northeastern B.C. received $145,000 in grant money to support charitable and not-for-profit groups in their community.

Winning entries last year covered a wide range of focus areas from agricultural societies, playgrounds, daycares and school projects to community sporting organizations, libraries and health/service groups. A complete listing of last year's winners is posted online at the www.CanadasFarmers.ca.

In 2013, two (2) $2,500 grants will be awarded in each of 30 different territories across the grain growing regions of northeastern BC (Peace River district), Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. A total of $150,000 in grant money will be made available across Canada to charitable and not-for-profit groups that are making a difference in the lives of rural residents.

The application submission period has been extended for 2013, giving farmers more time to consider and submit an application between January 7, 2013 and September 30, 2013. All it takes is a visit to www.CanadasFarmers.ca where complete contest rules and an online application form are available.

Under the official program rules for the Canada's Farmers Grow Communities program, farmers who are 19 years of age or older and actively engaged in farming corn, soybeans and/or canola on at least 160 acres in Western Canada, or corn or soybeans on at least 80 acres in Eastern Canada, are eligible to participate in the program.

An additional feature of the program allows other non-farming residents living within rural communities to go online and make suggestions of worthy groups or projects for a farmer to consider using in his/her Canada's Farmers Grow Communities application.

"This program is about farmers helping their communities and we want to make it as simple as possible for them to participate," explained Jordan. "All they have to do is tell us a bit about their favourite charitable or not-for-profit group and how that group would benefit from a $2,500 grant and they could win."

The entry period for Canada's Farmers Grow Communities program runs until September 30, 2013. No purchase is necessary in order to enter or win. Farmers who meet the eligibility requirements may submit one application. Complete program details and terms and conditions are available at www.CanadasFarmers.ca. Winners will be selected by random draw and notified by November 15, 2013. Grant recipients will have funds made available to them prior to the end of 2013.

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

Headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Monsanto Canada Inc. is part of the larger global Monsanto family. Monsanto Company is an agricultural company and a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. Monsanto remains focused on enabling both small-holder and large-scale farmers to produce more from their land while conserving more of our world's natural resources such as water and energy. Learn more about our business and our commitments at www.monsanto.ca.