Monsanto Fund Announces Winners of 2013 Canada's Farmers Grow Communities Program

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwired - Nov. 13, 2013) - Ever wonder what you would do in your community if you had the opportunity to donate $2,500 to a favourite local charity or not-for-profit group?

Sixty (60) farmers told the Canada's Farmers Grow Communities program who they would like to help by nominating rural-based charitable or not-for-profit groups in their communities for a chance to win a $2,500 grant provided by the Monsanto Fund.

Today, Monsanto Canada released the names of the lucky charitable groups to have their names drawn from the 378 entries in the 2013 Canada's Farmers Grow Communities program.

"Monsanto is committed to helping farmers grow their communities and improving the lives of rural residents," said Trish Jordan, public and industry affairs director at Monsanto Canada. "This program allows us to shine the spotlight on farmers and recognize them for the important contributions they make to their communities, not only as farmers but as vital contributors to their community's overall well-being."

Now in its second full year (a pilot project ran in 2011 in Eastern Canada), Canada's Farmers Grow Communities is a program aimed at strengthening rural communities and equipping local charitable and not-for-profit groups with funds to carry out much-needed community work aimed at improving the lives of the rural residents they support and serve.

This year's program generated a number of different ideas from farmers on how local groups in their community could benefit from the grants. Rural-based charitable groups were also much more active in making their needs known using the "Idea Map," an online tool, available at www.CanadasFarmers.ca, which allowed them to suggest a cause and find local farmers to support that cause by generating an entry.

Farmers living and working in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Northeastern B.C. had between Jan. 7^th and Sept 30^th, 2013 to submit their entries by visiting the Canada's Farmers website and completing an online application form. The winning entries were drawn by board members of the independent administrator, Agriculture in the Classroom - Manitoba, on October 17, 2013 in Winnipeg.

"Monsanto seeks out opportunities to support rural communities and farmers across the country, both in our day-to-day business activities and through our philanthropic outreach," said Jordan. "While most Canadians are aware of the multitude of large, high-profile charitable organizations doing good work to help those who are less fortunate, the same is not always true in smaller, rural communities. The Canada's Farmers Grow Communities program is helping to change that and has quickly become one of our flagship programs."

This year's recipients service a wide variety of community needs from schools, libraries and local theatres to community halls, sport facilities, health/service clubs and daycares.

John Crow, a farmer from Wallaceburg, Ontario nominated his local school and was thrilled to learn that his name was drawn. "This is a great surprise," said John. "Our little school can definitely use the money."

The Monsanto Fund plans to continue the Canada's Farmers Grow Communities program in 2014. Farmers and rural residents can watch for details at winter trade shows and also visit www.CanadasFarmers.ca in January 2014 for further program details.

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.

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.

Editor's Note: A complete listing of all 60 winning entrants, their farmer nominator and their community, is detailed in the attachment to this news release.

Canada's Farmers Grow Communities - 2013 Winners

ALBERTA WINNERS
Nampa and District Agricultural Society		Bentley and District Agricultural Society
Simon Lavoie, Nampa, AB		Jennifer Johnson, Bentley, AB
Comité culturel de St-Isidore		Forestburg Arena Association
Laval Bergeron, St. Isidore, AB		Rob and Maureen Adams, Forestburg, AB
Family Community Support Services (FCSS)		Dewberry and District Agricultural Society
Kelly Hudson, Spirit River, AB		James Blacklock, Dewberry, AB
Spirit River and District Agricultural Society		Bentley School Chest Society
Didy Konstapel, Spirit River, AB		Eric Hyink, Lacombe, AB
St. Paul Friends of Playschool Society		Clive Public Library
David Jean, Lafond, AB		Keith Wagner, Lacombe, AB
Hairy Hill Community Club		Acme Curling Club
Barry Soprovich, Hairy Hill, AB		Kenton Ziegler, Beiseker, AB
Association canadienne-française de l'Alberta régionale de Centralta		Strathmore and District Christmas Hamper
Louis Forcade, Legal, AB		Rhonda Wheeler, Strathmore, AB
Stony Plain and District Crime Prevention Association		Readymade Community Association
Glenn Hollands, Stony Plain, AB		Doran Templeton, Coaldale, AB
Gladstone Sports Association		Southern Alberta Medic Air Society (HALO)
Terry Pederson, Bawlf, AB		John Crooymans, Bow Island, AB
SASKATCHEWAN WINNERS
Englefeld Recreation Board		Chase Kraynick Memorial Splash Park
Ken Vidak, Englefeld, SK		Rachel Kraynick, Canora, SK
St. Benedict Arena/Good Timers Rec Hockey Club		Strasbourg and Community Recreation Centre
Rudy Martinka, St. Benedict, SK		David Craswell, Strasbourg, SK
Cut Knife Elks		Davidson Swimming Pool
Terry Carlton, Baldwinton, SK		Erin Kinder, Davidson, SK
Maidstone Arena		Dinsmore and District Economic Development Initiative
Scott Carson, Maidstone, SK		Carol Sawyer, Dinsmore, SK
Aberdeen Volunteer Fire Department		Major Memorial Rink Association Inc.
Ryan Hamoline, Aberdeen, SK		Douglas Hoffman, Major, SK
Prince Albert Heavy Horse Committee		Trans Canada Trail Drifters Inc.
Anna Rybka, Prince Albert, SK		Cory Soloducha, Indian Head, SK
Lestock Playground Fund Inc.		Oxbow Health Care Auxillary
Connie Yasinowski, Lestock, SK		Dieter Rucks, Oxbow, SK
	Earl Grey Curling and Skating Club	Herbert and District Health Care Auxiliary
Stephen Brewster, Earl Grey, SK		Patti Klassen, Herbert, SK
Ituna and District Curling Rink Inc.		The Van-Pam Swimming Pool Committee
Dennis Kreway, Ituna, SK		Darren Erickson, Vanguard, SK
MANITOBA WINNERS
Ste. Rose Splash Park		Rapid City Elementary School
Derek Brunel, Ste. Rose du Lac, MB		Ryan Nevin, Rapid City, MB
Keystone Pioneers Museum		Pilot Mound Millennium Recreation Complex
Richard Wileman, Russell, MB		Jackie McCannell, Pilot Mound, MB
Broken-Beau Historical Society/Pioneer Village Museum Inc.		Arrow River Community Hall
Danny Johnson, Beausejour, MB		Mac Lelond, Arrow River, MB
Tyndall Village Community Centre		Miami Children's Facility
Larry Reske, Beausejour, MB		Cameron Dyck, Miami, MB
Reston and Area Early Learning Centre		Busy Nest Day Care
Corey and Krystle Caldwell, Reston, MB		Arthur Enns, Morris, MB
ONTARIO WINNERS
Flos Agricultural Society		Petrolia Community Theatre
Spencer Nelson, Elmvale, ON		Warren Graham, Petrolia, ON
Grand Valley District Community Centre		Ecole St. Philippe
Brian Cook, Grand Valley, ON		John Crow, Wallaceburg, ON
Englehart High School Fund		Merlin Community 4-H Club
Barry Potter, Earlton, ON		Margaret Nauta, Merlin, ON
Friends of Williamstown Park		Optimist Club of East Oxford - Oxford Centre
Donald MacLachlan, Williamstown, ON		Brian Armstrong, Woodstock, ON
Atwood Lions Club		Tillsonburg Helping Hand Food Bank
Steve Terpstra, Atwood, ON		Eric Schuurman, Brownsville, ON
QUEBEC WINNERS
Exposition Ormstown
Garry Hamilton, Ormstown, QC
Howick Volunteer Fire Department
Alan Cullen, Howick, QC
Comité de gestion de l'église
Service incendie
Yvon Proulx, Saint-Elphège, QC
Denis Lambert, St-Valérien-de-Milton, QC