Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) today will announce a $1 million gift to establish the Monsanto Center for Biotech Education within The FFA Enrichment Center. The center will be built on the Ankeny campus of Des Moines Area Community College. The announcement will be made during the evening session of the 78th annual Iowa FFA Leadership Conference at Hilton Coliseum, Ames.

"As a company solely focused on agriculture, Monsanto has a proud tradition of supporting educational opportunities for our future agricultural leaders. Continuing that tradition, today I'm pleased to announce our commitment to create the Monsanto Center for Biotech Education within The FFA Enrichment Center," says Ted Crosbie, Monsanto's Vice President of Global Plant Breeding.

Monsanto's support of The FFA Enrichment Center is consistent with its recent investments to other ag science curriculums. In late March, it announced a $250,000 gift to Muscatine's Agricultural Learning Center. Monsanto is also one of five corporate founding partners of the National FFA's LifeKnowledge program. And more than 2,400 high school seniors -- including more than 100 Iowans -- are being recognized with the 2006 DEKALB Agricultural Accomplishment Award.

"The primary reason Monsanto is optimistic about the future of agriculture is young people like members of the Iowa FFA," says Crosbie. "We know the future is in good hands with young leaders who have a passion for the industry. And we look forward to working with the FFA to shape the biotech education center."

Grassroots Advisory Council

The Monsanto Center for Biotech Education will essentially create a "center within a center," says Crosbie. The biotech center will feature - but not limited to - large and small conference areas, biotech and computer labs, as well as the long distance learning center. Interactive learning centers may be a part of the overall learning experience, as well.

"The Center for Biotech Education will showcase opportunities available through the use and further development of biotechnology," says Crosbie. "It will encourage mentoring, as well as partnerships and research development opportunities between students, the community college, the community and leaders in biotech research, development and implementation."

A Biotech Counsel of Advisors will be named to provide input and to oversee program development and implementation, adds Crosbie. This counsel will be comprised of individuals who are acknowledged leaders covering a broad range of biotech research, development, usage and agricultural production. The counsel will provide an objective set of ears and eyes to ensure that the programmatic mission to support biotech education is best met.

Biotech Education Center

"We're so pleased to announce support from Monsanto, a world leader in plant biotech," says Ed Wiederstein, chairman, Capital Campaign Committee for The FFA Enrichment Center. "Biotechnology is fully incorporated into agriculture today, and Monsanto is fully committed to developing a far- reaching biotech curriculum that will open news doors of learning."

The Monsanto Center for Biotech Education will serve Iowa's 12,000-plus FFA members and agricultural science students, as well as students with a general interest in science. Community leaders, farmers and the broader business community nationwide, will also benefit from the programming offered through this center, adds Wiederstein.

Crosbie says Monsanto is especially pleased to invest in the Iowa FFA due to the state's importance to the company. More than 900 Monsanto team members are employed at the following Iowa facilities: research facility, Ankeny; Roundup manufacturing, Muscatine; Corn States, Des Moines; Holden's Foundation Seeds, Williamsburg; global soybean breeding station, Ames; Center of Excellence, Atlantic; and seed manufacturing facilities in Grinnell, Boone, Clarion and Beaman, as well as sales and agronomist representatives across the state.

Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality.

The FFA Enrichment Center will feature approximately 75,000 square feet of meeting facilities, the Farm Bureau Biotech Laboratory, the Pioneer Agriscience Computer Laboratory, vet technology labs, greenhouses, exhibition facilities and the Cargill Communications Center. For more information, contact Mary Boote at 515-374-0800 or visit www.iowaffafoundation.org.