St. Louis and Kansas City,
Missouri
November 25, 2003
2004 FARM
YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE
Monsanto Company and the
National Association of Farm Broadcasters announced today
the details behind the sixth annual Commitment to Agriculture
Scholarship program.
The scholarship program is offered by Monsanto, in collaboration
with the National Association of Farm Broadcasters, and is open
to high school seniors from all 50 states. In order to be
eligible for one of the awards, the student applicant must come
from farm family and plan to pursue a career in the field of
agriculture. One-time awards of $1,500 will be made to 100 high
school seniors chosen by an impartial selection committee of
agricultural educators and industry leaders.
"We are pleased to partner with Monsanto to give students an
opportunity to further their education in agriculture," said Tom
Brand, President of the National Association of Farm
Broadcasters.
"These scholarships will help prepare the next generation of
farm producers and leaders," Brand said.
Since the program's inception in 1999, the Commitment to
Agriculture program has awarded 450 students for their devotion
to the agriculture industry. Students in 28 states received the
first 50 scholarships offered by the program in 1999. The 2000
program was later expanded to include 100 scholarships for
students in all 50 states. The scholarship program is supported
by funds received through pre-trial settlements involving seed
patent infringement cases and, to date, has provided prospective
ag students with nearly three quarters of a million dollars in
support of their educational vocation.
"Monsanto is pleased to support students who are pursuing a
career in agriculture," said Glenn Stith, Vice President of
Monsanto U.S. Branded Business, Sales and Marketing.
"Hard working farm families across the country are the reason
this industry has been a success in the past and will continue
to be one in the future. These families serve as a guiding light
for students interested in the industry, and Monsanto is
encouraged by their devotion," Stith said.
To qualify, a high school senior must have an average to
above-average academic record, plan to enroll as a full-time
student in an agriculture-related academic major in an
accredited school, and be committed to pursuing a career in
agriculture. Applicants will be evaluated on their high school
records, standardized test results, extracurricular activities
and personal essays submitted as a part of the application
process. An independent committee will choose the winners.
Applications are currently available through National
Association of Farm Broadcasters' stations and networks, public
high schools, FFA chapter advisors, Monsanto field sales
representatives, as well as retailers and seed dealers that sell
Monsanto products. The applications are also posted on the
following websites:
o http://www.monsanto.com
o http://www.nafb.com
o http://www.ffa.org
Application forms must be completed and postmarked by Feb. 15,
2004. Applicants will be notified of the competition results by
May 1, 2004.
Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of
technology-based solutions and agricultural products that
improve farm productivity and food quality.
The National Association of Farm Broadcasters is a 59-year-old
organization based in the Kansas City Metro area, Mo. NAFB is
dedicated to serving farmers and ranchers with up to the minute
agricultural markets, weather and farm news. National
Association of Farm Broadcasters' member broadcasters are heard
on over 2,000 radio stations nationwide as well as over 100
television stations. |