The Monsanto Fund Makes $2,500 Grants Available to Canadian Farmers to Help Them Grow Their Rural Communities

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwire - May 28, 2012) - The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, announced today the launch of Canada's Farmers Grow Communities - a new program aimed at strengthening rural communities by providing the opportunity for farmers to secure a $2,500 grant for their favourite community charity or not-for-profit organization.

From June 1, 2012 through September 30, 2012, farmers across Canada will have the opportunity to nominate a local charity or not-for-profit group in their community by visiting www.CanadasFarmers.com. Two $2,500 grants will be awarded in each of 29 different territories across the grain growing regions of northeastern BC (Peace River district), Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.

"Rural communities are the heart of Canada. Whether growing crops to feed people, feed livestock, create biodiesel, or clothe us, farmers in rural communities provide many of the necessities in our lives," said Trish Jordan, public and industry affairs director with Monsanto Canada based in Winnipeg. "We wanted to provide an opportunity to help farmers invest in their communities and highlight the important contributions they make every day."

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

"We are working to help farmers make an even bigger impact in their communities by investing in organizations they care about," said Jordan. "This program builds on a similar pilot program we ran in Eastern Canada last year and is part of a broad commitment by the Monsanto Fund to invest in farm communities. We look forward to learning about all the programs and causes that are important to farmers and rural communities."

The entry period for Canada's Farmers Grow Communities program runs until September 30, 2012. 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.com. Winners will be notified by November 15, 2012 and grant recipients will have funds made available to them prior to the end of 2012.

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.