COLLEGE STUDENTS TO BLOG COMMODITY CLASSIC

MonsantoST. LOUIS (February 24, 2006 – AgNewsWire) – Two college students pursuing careers in agricultural communications will receive some on-the-job “new media” training at next week’s Commodity Classic, March 1-4 in Anaheim, Calif. The Monsanto Company is sponsoring the students’ trip as a part of its Future Ag Journalist Fellowship.

Margy Fischer, a senior at the University of Missouri, and Mary Irelan, a sophomore at the University of Illinois, will be attending Commodity Classic for the first time. They will be blogging their experiences at the combined corn and soybean growers annual meeting on AgWired.com, a ZimmComm New Media weblog devoted to what’s new in the world of agribusiness.

Monsanto Public Affairs Manager Mica DeLong says the opportunity will provide the students with a unique real-world media experience. Monsanto has a long- standing commitment to promoting youth involvement in agriculture by supporting programs such as Future Farmers of America, 4-H, Agriculture Future of America, Ag in the Classroom and other notable agriculture youth and leader development organizations. (Full Release)