Monsanto Fund Opportunity Scholarships Program Celebrates 25 years

The Monsanto Fund Opportunity Scholarship Program that farm families across Canada have benefited from for the past 25 years looks a little different in 2016. This year’s program is embracing the link between agriculture and food, and is now accepting applications from Grade 12 students raised on the farm or off the farm._x000D_
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Sponsored by the philanthropic arm of Monsanto Company, this program has traditionally offered graduating Grade 12 students from farm families the opportunity to capture one of 65 entrance scholarships valued at $1,500 each to help fund post-secondary studies in agriculture or agriculture-related fields. This year eligible students can choose to pursue a post-secondary education in agriculture or food-related programs, including fields of study such as nutrition or the culinary arts. Up to 25 of a total of 65 scholarships will be offered to students from non-farm backgrounds._x000D_
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Thousands of deserving students have received a total of more than $1.7 million since the program launched using corporate funds in 1991. Transition to the Monsanto Fund in 2012 has enabled more students to win scholarships due to consistent funding for the program._x000D_
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“Our focus remains on encouraging quality young people to pursue careers in agriculture, and the majority of the scholarships will go to students from farms,” said Kelly Funke, public affairs manager with Monsanto Canada. “But more and more we are seeing that careers in food production, food preparation and nutrition are all part of the larger food system. That system needs great minds from many different walks of life.”_x000D_
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Monsanto Fund Opportunity Scholarships are open to students who:_x000D_

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• Come from a family farm or other background, with confirmed plans to enroll in their first year of post-secondary education in agriculture or food-related studies at a Canadian educational institution;

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• Have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership capabilities, and a keen interest and involvement in their community;

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• Submit a completed application form, which includes an essay that outlines what role the student believes Canadian agriculture can play in the future of food and how they will contribute. They must also have a farmer or food professional provide a reference letter. All applications must be post-marked not later than June 15, 2016.

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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 can be accessed online at www.monsanto.ca._x000D_
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All applications will be reviewed by an independent panel of judges and winning entries will be announced in September 2016. The Monsanto Fund Opportunity Scholarship program will provide 65 scholarships to deserving students this year._x000D_
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As the philanthropic arm of Monsanto, the Monsanto Fund works to 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:_x000D_

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• Providing basic education support designed to improve education in farming communities around the world, including supporting schools, libraries, science centres, farmer training programs and academic programs that enrich or supplement school programs.

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• 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.

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For further information, please contact Kelly Funke at (204) 985-1035.