Stevia First Corp. Activities Prompts Story in Prominent California Farm Bureau Federation Weekly News

SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwire - Jul 10, 2012) - Stevia First Corp. (OTCBB: STVF) ("Stevia First" or the "Company"), an early-stage agribusiness based in California's Central Valley growing region and focused on the industrial scale production of stevia, the all-natural zero-calorie sweetener that is rapidly transforming the food and beverage industry, is pleased to advise of recent news coverage in the influential California based agricultural weekly newspaper, Ag Alert.

Ag Alert (www.agalert.com) is the weekly newspaper of the California Farm Bureau Federation, reaching Farm Bureau agricultural and collegiate members. Agricultural members are owners and decision makers on California farms and ranches.

The article, published on June 27^th discusses a number of aspects of the stevia industry and its growing prominence in California. In the article, Stevia First is featured prominently against a backdrop of statistics that cites predicted growth from about $1 billion to about $10 billion in the global market for stevia products. The article states, "Right now stevia, which is popping up on ingredient lists for soft drinks, teas and flavored water, is grown primarily in China, with an estimated 50,000 acres in production. But food economists say the sweetener is poised for dramatic growth, in large part driven by health concerns, and that crop production will need to rise to meet demand."

The author writes that if Chip Morris, director of farming operations for Stevia First, "has his way, California could become the stevia production capital of the world." After referencing his past experience with the first commercial grower of stevia in the United States, Mr. Morris was further quoted as saying, "The market for all natural, zero-calorie stevia is exploding."

Commenting in the article on efforts to-date, Company Chairman Avtar Dhillon states, "There has been some degree of field work done on the crop and there are great advances taking place in farming practices in California." Dr. Dhillon continues, "Add a scientific approach, and we have a good chance to come out with the right plant in the right soil with the right techniques for growing and harvesting."

The California Farm Bureau Federation is a non-governmental, non-profit, voluntary membership organization whose purpose is to protect and promote agricultural interests throughout the state of California and to find solutions to the problems of the farm, the farm home and the rural community. Farm Bureau is California's largest farm organization, comprised of 53 county Farm Bureaus. Farm Bureau strives to protect and improve the ability of farmers and ranchers engaged in production agriculture to provide a reliable supply of food and fiber through responsible stewardship of California's resources.

The article is available online at www.agalert.com/story/?id=4370 (subscribers only) or at the company website under "industry news":
http://www.steviafirst.com/industry_news/news_article/2012/06/farmers-and-rms-ramp-up-to-expand-stevia-plantings

Further details of the Company's business, finances, appointments and agreements can be found as part of the Company's continuous public disclosure as a reporting issuer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission's ("SEC") EDGAR database. For more information visit: www.steviafirst.com. 

About Stevia First Corp. (OTCBB: STVF)
Stevia First Corp. is seeking to establish a vertically-integrated stevia enterprise in the U.S. with expertise in stevia seed and tissue propagation, plant breeding, and cultivation. Stevia First's U.S. operations are located in the heart of California's Central Valley, one of the world's most productive agricultural regions. For more information visit: www.steviafirst.com. 

About the Stevia Industry
The market for all-natural, zero-calorie stevia sweeteners is expanding rapidly. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates stevia intake could eventually replace 20-30% of all dietary sweeteners. The total global sweetener market was estimated at $58.3 billion in 2010. For more information visit: www.steviafirst.com. 

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in Section 27(a) of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, projections of worldwide sales of stevia products, growth of stevia production and global markets. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects and development stage companies. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.