St. Louis, Missouri
April 3,  2001

Leaders from major U.S. farm organizations have come together to advance the interests of American producers through a collaborative advisory panel established by Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON). Consistent with the commitments outlined in the "New Monsanto Pledge," the Monsanto Grower Advisory Council will provide strategic advice and guidance to the company on important business issues and identify new opportunities to benefit American producers. 

In November, Monsanto President and Chief Executive Officer Hendrik A. Verfaillie announced the New Monsanto Pledge, a five-point declaration that governs how Monsanto will behave as a new company. Under the "Dialogue" principle, the pledge specifically states: "we commit to involving our customers to help us make decisions about the development, use and stewardship of new agricultural technologies." 

The Grower Advisory Council is the first major project undertaken by Monsanto in support of the pledge. The Council will be chaired by former U.S. Congressman Tom Ewing, of Pontiac, Illinois, and the 17-member board is composed of leaders representing key U.S. agricultural and commodity organizations. 

"We recognize that our success follows the success of growers -- if we're able to help growers be successful, we'll also be successful as a company," said Carl Casale, vice president and general manager for Monsanto's North American agriculture business. "The New Monsanto Pledge commits us to listen and respond better to meet the needs of our customers directly." 

The Council has a three-fold charter: identify specific courses of action for Monsanto management that can create new uses for commodity crops and add value for growers; provide a formal process for Monsanto to hear and respond to grower feedback; and serve as a sounding board for reviewing Monsanto actions, positions and policies before they are finalized. 

The Council will make recommendations directly to Monsanto management for consideration and implementation by Monsanto's business teams. The Council held its introductory meeting March 28-29 in St. Louis and committed to meeting three times annually. 

"I believe that Monsanto is setting an important precedent," said Ewing. "Opening a direct line between American producers and the senior management at Monsanto is a tremendous step toward a dialogue process that should benefit all parties." 

Ewing was chosen to lead the Council because of his proven track record as an advocate for American agriculture, his objectivity and his experience in working with groups of diverse interest. He also has first-hand experience with managing a family farm. 

Ewing served as U.S. Congressman from the 15th District in Illinois from 1991 to 2001. In his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, Ewing served on the House Committee on Agriculture and chaired the Subcommittee on Risk Management and Specialty Crops. The Illinoisan also has been recognized for his contributions to U.S. agriculture by numerous agricultural organizations, including the Agricultural Retailers Association, Illinois Department of Agriculture and National Wheat Growers Association. 

"I decided to participate in the Council because I believe strongly that it can make a legitimate difference for the American producer," said Ewing. 

Other members of the Grower Advisory Council are: 

• Tony Anderson, American Soybean Association, Mt. Sterling, Ohio; 
• John Becherer, United Soybean Board, St. Louis; 
• Steve Censky, American Soybean Association, St. Louis; 
• Jack Eberspacher, National Association of Wheat Growers, Washington, D.C.; 
• Alan Foutz, Colorado Farm Bureau, Akron, Colo.; 
• Terry Francl, American Farm Bureau Federation, Park Ridge, Ill.; 
• Jim Hansen, Cotton Incorporated, Corcoran, Calif.; 
• Tim Hume, National Corn Growers Association, Walsh, Colo.; 
• Hollis Isbell, American Cotton Producers, Muscle Shoals, Ala.; 
• Andrew G. Jordan, Ph.D., Cotton Foundation, Memphis, Tenn.; 
• Don Latham, United Soybean Board, Alexander, Iowa; 
• Dusty Tallman, National Association of Wheat Growers, Brandon, Colo.; 
• Rick Tolman, National Corn Growers Association, St. Louis; 
• J. Berrye Worsham III, Cotton Incorporated, Cary, N.C. 
• Additionally, Brett Begemann, vice president of U.S. branded products for Monsanto will join Casale on the Council.

"For the first time in our 100-year history, Monsanto is a company solely devoted to agriculture, and the formation of the Grower Advisory Council is simply about making sure we orient our priorities squarely around the interests of our customers," said Casale. 

While the Grower Advisory Council is focused on involving U.S. producers, Monsanto is also currently exploring avenues to involve farmers from other world areas in collaborative programs. 

For the full-text of the New Monsanto Pledge or for additional information on the Pledge, please see: www.monsanto.com . 

Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. For more information on Monsanto, see: www.monsanto.com .  

Company news release
N3429