Monsanto Opportunity Scholarships Available to Rural High School Students in 2011

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwire - March 22, 2011) - Monsanto Canada today released details of its 2011 Monsanto Canada Opportunity Scholarship Program which offers graduating grade 12 high school students the opportunity to capture a $1,500 entrance scholarship to help fund their post-secondary education.

Monsanto Canada 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 21^st year, the Monsanto Canada Opportunity Scholarship Program has awarded more than $1 million to thousands of deserving students since the program's inception in 1991.

"When Monsanto looks for ways to give back to rural communities and to our farm customers, agricultural education and awareness is one of our key focus areas," explained Trish Jordan, public affairs director with Monsanto Canada. "We want to encourage kids to explore all agriculture has to offer whether they have plans to return to the family farm or pursue any number of other opportunities that exist within the agriculture sector. Providing some level of funding to students is just one way we can support them as they pursue their dreams of working in agriculture." 

Monsanto Canada 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 an agriculture related program;
• 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;
• All completed application forms must be post-marked no later than May 27, 2011.

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 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 2011. Last year, 46 rural students from across the country received a Monsanto Opportunity Scholarship to pursue their educational goals.

Through its corporate giving program, Monsanto Canada seeks opportunities to support associations or programs with a focus on science and agricultural education; agricultural awareness; leadership and development opportunities for rural youth; and farm safety. Between $300,000 and $400,000 annually is provided to charitable and community groups across the country through Monsanto Canada's corporate giving program. 

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.