Monsanto Fund Makes Scholarship Funding Available to Canadian Students From Farm Families

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwired - March 6, 2014) - The Monsanto Fund Opportunity Scholarship Program is now accepting applications for its 2014 program. Sponsored by the philanthropic arm of Monsanto Company, the scholarship program offers graduating grade 12 high school students from farm families the opportunity to capture one of 65 entrance scholarships valued at $1,500 to help fund their post-secondary education in agriculture or an agriculture-related field of study.

Monsanto Fund Opportunity Scholarships are available to eligible students entering their first year of post-secondary education in agriculture at a recognized Canadian educational institution. Now entering its 24^th year in Canada, the scholarship program has awarded well over $1 million to thousands of deserving rural students since it was first introduced in Canada in 1991. It is Monsanto's longest running corporate support program in Canada.

"The Monsanto Fund Opportunity Scholarship Program allows us to give back to farm families and support rural youth who want to pursue an education in agriculture," explained Trish Jordan, public and industry affairs director with Monsanto Canada. "Agriculture is an exciting and rewarding industry and students are increasingly making the smart choice to pursue a career in agriculture. There are endless and diverse opportunities in the industry and we are happy to support and encourage students who have a passion for agriculture."

Monsanto Fund Opportunity Scholarships are available to students who meet the following criteria:

• Students must come from a family farm with confirmed plans to enroll in their first year of post-secondary education in agriculture or an agriculture-related program at a Canadian educational institution;
• Students must have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership capabilities, and a keen interest and involvement in their rural community;
• Students must submit a completed application form, which includes an essay that outlines what area of agriculture they would like to work in and why. They also need to have a farmer provide a reference letter for them.
• All completed application forms must be post-marked no later than May 30, 2014.

Scholarship application forms and posters in both French and English are in the process of being distributed to high schools, 4-H Clubs, provincial and federal agriculture offices, farm retail outlets and seed companies. Application forms and complete program details are also available from Monsanto's CustomCare^® line at 1-800-667-4944 or they can be accessed online at www.monsanto.ca.

All applications will be reviewed by an independent panel of judges and winning entries will be announced in September 2014. The Monsanto Fund Opportunity Scholarship program has budgeted $97,500 for the 2014 program which will provide 65 scholarships to deserving students.

As the philanthropic arm of Monsanto, the Monsanto Fund works to substantially and meaningfully improve the lives of people around the world. Its giving is focused on strengthening both farming communities and the communities where Monsanto employees live and work. The Monsanto Fund seeks opportunities to support initiatives in two main areas:

• Providing basic education support designed to improve education in farming communities around the world, including supporting schools, libraries, science centers, farmer training programs and academic programs that enrich or supplement school programs.
• Meeting critical needs in communities by supporting nonprofit organizations that help with things such as food security, sanitation, access to clean water, public safety and various other local needs.

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.