Seventy students from across Canada who plan to pursue studies in agriculture are $1,500 richer thanks to Monsanto Canada’s 2009 Opportunity Scholarship Program.

The 2009 Monsanto Canada Opportunity Scholarship Program received over 160 applications from across the country. The winners were selected by an independent panel of judges based on their academic performance, leadership capabilities and involvement in giving back to charitable 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 always looking for ways to support young people from farm families and to give back to rural communities that have helped our business be successful,” said Trish Jordan, Monsanto Canada’s director of public affairs and co-ordinator of the scholarship program.

The 2009 Opportunity Scholarship winners are all high school graduates from a farm family who are 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 co-ordinator 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. Since the program’s inception, over $1 million has been awarded to hundreds of deserving students. Details on the launch of the 2010 Monsanto Canada Opportunity Scholarship Program will be released in February 2010 and will also be available online at www.monsanto.ca.

The Manitoba recipients are: Kayla Antonowich, Seddons Corner; Cortney Bezan, Teulon; David Boerchers, Laurier; Alexander Boersch, Elie; Trevor Calvert, Carberry; Jason Gemmill, Pilot Mound; Nolan Giesbrecht, Winkler; Megan Kemp, Pilot Mound; James Kingdon, Minnedosa; Shanisse Medd, Hamiota; Amanda Snezyk, Neepawa; Jillian Overby, Inwood; Kara Rutherford, Grosse Isle; Michael Vanwynsberghe, Crystal City.