ST. LOUIS (October 16, 2014) – Monsanto Company is pleased to recognize the first recipient of the Fraley-Borlaug Scholars in Plant Sciences, Laura Chatham. The scholarship was established to support women studying plant biology and biotechnology in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois. It was funded in part by Dr. Robert Fraleys 2013 World Food Prize laureate financial award and matched by Monsanto Company. Todays announcement is part of Monsanto Companys broader focus on innovation and investment in agriculture. To meet the challenges the world faces in feeding nine billion people by 2050, investing in future leaders pursuing STEM careers in food and agriculture is key. The next generation of innovators coming from farming, science, technology, education and math disciplines will be the ones to ascend and meet the challenges of global food security. The University of Illinois press release announcing the selection of Laura Chatham as the first scholarship recipient can be accessed online here. About Monsanto Company Monsanto is committed to bringing a broad range of solutions to help nourish our growing world. We produce seeds for fruits, vegetables and key crops – such as corn, soybeans, and cotton – that help farmers have better harvests while using water and other important resources more efficiently. We work to find sustainable solutions for soil health, help farmers use data to improve farming practices and conserve natural resources, and provide crop protection products to minimize damage from pests and disease. Through programs and partnerships, we collaborate with farmers, researchers, nonprofit organizations, universities and others to help tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges. To learn more about Monsanto, our commitments and our more than 20,000 dedicated employees, please visit: discover.monsanto.com and monsanto.com. Follow our business on Twitter® at twitter.com/MonsantoCo, on the company blog, Beyond the Rows® at monsantoblog.com or subscribe to our News Release RSS Feed.