Winnipeg, Manitoba
September 12, 2008
Fall is always associated with
heading back to school. And this year, 70 outstanding students
who plan to pursue studies in agriculture or forestry are $1,500
richer after Monsanto Canada
announced the list of winners in its 2008 Opportunity
Scholarship Program.
The Monsanto Canada Opportunity Scholarship Program received its
highest number of applications ever in 2008 with over 172
students from coast to coast applying for an entrance
scholarship. The winners were selected by an independent panel
of judges based on their academic performance, leadership
capabilities and involvement in giving back to charities or
other service groups in their local communities. All applicants
were also required to submit an application essay that answered
the question, "In what area of agriculture or forestry would you
like to work and why?"
"Monsanto Canada is a big supporter of science and agricultural
education programs and we've made a concerted effort to raise
awareness of opportunities in the agricultural sector and
support students who want to pursue agriculture or forestry as a
career path," said Trish Jordan, Monsanto Canada's director of
public affairs and coordinator of the scholarship program. "It's
just great to see such a positive response to our program. I
wish we could have helped every student who applied."
The 2008 Opportunity Scholarship winners are all high school
graduates from a farm family who are now enrolled in a
first-year agriculture or forestry-related degree or diploma
program at a recognized Canadian educational institution.
This year's scholarship judging panel included: Bob Adamson,
director of the Agriculture Biotechnology Enrichment (ABE)
program; John Morriss, associate publisher and editorial
director Farm Business Communications; Ellen Pruden, education
and promotions coordinator with the Manitoba Canola Growers
Association; and Johanne Ross, executive director, Agriculture
in the Classroom - Manitoba.
Monsanto Canada has been awarding entrance scholarships since
1991 as a means to support rural youth and encourage students to
explore studies and hopefully a career in agriculture or
forestry. Since the program's inception, almost $1 million has
been awarded to hundreds of deserving students. Details on the
launch of the 2009 Monsanto Canada Opportunity Scholarship
Program will be released in February 2009 and will also be
available online at www.monsanto.ca.
Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Monsanto Canada is a leading
provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products
that improve farm productivity and food quality. |
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