Graduating high school students from rural Canada who plan to pursue post-secondary education in agricultural sciences or forestry will have the opportunity to secure a $1,500 entrance scholarship thanks to the 2006 Monsanto Canada Opportunity Scholarship Program.

Monsanto will award an estimated 50 scholarships to students entering their first year of post-secondary education in agricultural sciences or forestry at a recognized Canadian educational institution. Entering its 16th year, the Monsanto Canada Opportunity Scholarship Program has awarded over $750,000 to thousands of deserving students since the program's inception in 1991.

"As a company exclusively dedicated to agriculture and its related sciences, we have a deep commitment to supporting and encouraging science and agricultural education," said Trish Jordan, Monsanto Canada's public affairs lead. "Only with the best and brightest students pursuing studies and careers in agriculture, can our industry continue to grow and farmers continue to benefit from innovation."

Monsanto Canada Opportunity Scholarships are available to students who meet the following criteria:

• Students must come from a family farm and/or have forestry background with plans to enter their first year of post-secondary education in an agricultural sciences or forestry program;
• Students must complete and submit an application, including an essay outlining their vision for the future of agriculture, post-marked no later than July 14, 2006.
• Students must have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership capabilities, and a keen interest and involvement in their rural community.

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 are also available from Monsanto's CustomCare(R) line at 1-800-667-4944 or they can be accessed online at www.monsanto.ca.

All applications will be reviewed by an independent panel of judges and winning entries will be announced in September 2006.

Through its corporate giving program, Monsanto Canada seeks opportunities to support associations or programs with a focus on science and agricultural education; agricultural awareness; leadership and development opportunities for rural youth; and farm safety. More than $300,000 annually is provided to charitable and community groups across the country through Monsanto Canada's corporate giving program.