Monsanto To Provide More Than $1 Million To Help Support 14 Major FFA Events, Programs In 2011

Online, February 21, 2011 (Newswire.com) - One of the world's largest agricultural corporations will sponsor 14 high-profile National FFA Organization programs in 2011 designed to develop the leadership, agriscience and teamwork skills of FFA members throughout the country.

St. Louis-based Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) will provide more than $1 million in sponsorships of National FFA Organization programs, awards, events, student scholarships and more this year. Monsanto's support will help finance the National FFA Organization's Washington Leadership Conference, National Leadership Conference for State Officers, Agriscience Student of the Year program and 11 other national initiatives.

The annual Washington Leadership Conference, held during the summer, is a five-day event in Washington, D.C., that teaches FFA members throughout the country how to become effective leaders. The three-day National Leadership Conference for State Officers, offered throughout the summer in various states, teaches FFA officer teams from throughout the nation advanced interpersonal communication strategies and presentation delivery techniques. The Agriscience Student of the Year program recognizes high school students who discover creative solutions through research and theories to challenges within the agriculture industry; the winner will be named at the annual national FFA convention in October.

"Monsanto is a long-time, dedicated and highly valued partner of the National FFA Organization's programs and services that develop youth into tomorrow's agricultural industry leaders," said Robert K. Cooper, executive director of The National FFA Foundation. "The company is a global force in the agricultural industry and with Monsanto's support, we can continue to grow and enhance these important programs that focus on developing FFA members' leadership potential."

Monsanto is a global leader in providing agricultural products, offers conventional and biotech seeds, advanced technologies focused on producing more nutritious and durable crops and safe, effective crop protection solutions. Founded in 1901, the Monsanto of today is focused on agriculture and supporting farmers around the world in their mission to produce more while conserving more.

"For more than 50 years, Monsanto has supported the National FFA Organization. We're elated to again be able to back the organization's critically important agriculture education programs and initiatives throughout 2011," said John Raines, vice president of customer advocacy at Monsanto. "The National FFA Organization strives to teach its student members how to achieve their utmost potential, something that aligns closely with our focus on helping agriculturalists of today and tomorrow how to produce more, conserve more and improve lives through sustainable agriculture."

The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations and individuals to secure financial resources that fund FFA activities, recognize member achievements, develop student leaders and support the future of agriculture education. Governed by a 19-member board of trustees comprised of educators, business leaders, individual donors and FFA alumni, the foundation is a separately-registered nonprofit organization. About 82 percent of all sponsorship dollars received by the foundation support FFA members and agricultural education opportunities.

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 523,309 student members as part of 7,487 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st United States Congress and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs.