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Now Underway for 2011
America’s
Farmers Mom of the Year
Nominations
now being accepted at AmericasFarmers.com;
Winner to
receive $7,500 cash prize from Monsanto
St. Louis
(March 14, 2011) Behind every American farm family is the backbone of the
operation: the farm mom. Monsanto is honoring her contributions to her family,
farm, community and industry with the 2011 America’s Farmers Mom of the Year
program.
Applications
will be accepted through Mother’s Day at AmericasFarmers.com. Five regional
winners will be announced on May 16, when winners’ profiles and nominations
will be posted on the website. Each regional winner will receive a $5,000 cash
prize from Monsanto, and the farm mom receiving the most online votes by May 26
will receive an additional $2,500 and the title of America’s Farmers Mom of
the Year 2011.
Farm moms
make valuable contributions in the field, and often they are also bookkeepers,
cooks, teachers, FFA advisers, veterinarians, drivers, mentors, spokespeople and
volunteers.
“Farm moms
do it all, from supporting their family farming operations to bettering their
communities, all while raising the next generation of America’s farmers,”
says Chris Chavis, Monsanto spokeswoman for the America’s Farmers Mom of the
Year program. “In addition, today’s farm women are passionate advocates for
the industry. They work long hours and often go unrecognized for all their
efforts. This program is our way to thank farm women everywhere for everything
they do.”
Monsanto
introduced its America’s Farmers Mom of the Year program in 2010. Nominations
were received from 45 states from people nominating their mothers, sisters,
wives, friends, teachers and themselves. Online voting selected Carol Cowan, of
a soybean, wheat, alfalfa and cattle operation in Watonga, Okla., as the
national winner. As Carol’s friend, Nancy Baker, stated in her nomination,
“I believe our country would have better people in it if they were all raised
on a farm with Carol. She could show anyone how hard, honest work will make you
happy and successful. Every family needs a mom like Carol.”
“Being a
part of the America’s Farmers Mom of the Year program was very exciting, and I
am deeply humbled to have this title,” Cowan says, “There are many dedicated
women in this great nation who would be equally or more deserving of this honor,
and I applaud them all. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere but on our farm and
ranch!”
“We were
overwhelmed by the quality and diversity of the nominations we received last
year,” Chavis says. “We’re looking forward to reading about more amazing,
hardworking farm moms this year. I encourage everyone to nominate their favorite
farm mom – she could be this year’s winner!”
To be
eligible, a mom must be at least 18 years of age and work on a working farm or
livestock operation. Anyone can submit a nomination by visiting the America’s
Farmers website and explaining in 300 words or fewer how their favorite farm mom
embodies the farm family way of life. Nominations will be judged by Monsanto and
American Agri-Women (AAW), a national coalition of women’s farmer, ranch and
agribusiness organizations.
Complete
eligibility requirements and official rules for America’s Farmers Mom of the
Year can be obtained online at www.AmericasFarmers.com or by sending a
self-addressed, stamped envelope to America’s Farmers Mom of the Year Program,
914 Spruce Street, St. Louis, MO 63102.
Monsanto’s
America’s Farmers Mom of the Year is an extension of the America’s Farmers
program, which celebrates the contributions of America’s farmers, who provide
food, energy and clothing for a growing planet.
About
Monsanto Company
Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based
solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food
quality. Monsanto remains focused on enabling both smallholder and large-scale
farmers to produce more from their land while conserving more of our world’s
natural resources such as water and energy. To learn more about our business and
our commitments, please visit www.monsanto.com.
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