Cast a Vote Today to Select the 2013 National "Farm Mom of the Year"

ST. LOUIS, May 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- From Alaska to Florida, Maine to Hawaii, you took the time to share what makes your favorite farm mom so special. Now, American Agri-Women and Monsanto have selected five regional winners.  Your vote will help determine this year's national winner, to be announced on Mother's Day.

Each regional winner was awarded a $5,000 cash prize from Monsanto. Online votes cast on AmericasFarmers.com before May 12 – Mother's Day – will determine the winner of the national title and recipient of an additional $5,000 prize.

The 2013 regional winners are:

• Northwest Region: Aimee Hachigian-Gould, Ulm, Mont.
• Southwest Region: Mary Ann Bansen, Ferndale, Calif.
• Midwest Region: Tina Hinchley, Cambridge, Wis.
• Northeast Region: Sue Roehm, Leesburg, Ohio.
• Southeast Region: Betty Rosson, Louisa, Va.

"Reading regional winners' nominations, it's clear that no matter what and where they farm, farm moms work tirelessly to improve not only their farming operations and communities, but perceptions of agriculture in general," says Lisa Safarian, U.S. Row Crops Lead, Monsanto. "While we may not say it as often as we should, we all love and appreciate this nation's farm moms!"

Regional winners' bios and nominations are posted on www.AmericasFarmers.com, where visitors can click to cast a vote for their favorite. The farm mom receiving the most votes will be named the national winner, to be announced on Mother's Day.

Blind judging was spearheaded by American Agri-Women, a national coalition of women's farm, ranch and agribusiness organizations. Each nomination was scored for how the nominee contributes to her farm, family, community, and the agricultural industry.

"This year's nominees collectively farm more than 40 different crops, and their roles on their farms and within their communities are equally diverse," says Kris Zilliox of American Agri-Women. "Selecting just five winners was no small feat, but these five women are outstanding representations of American farm moms."

To obtain a list of winners, read past or present winner nominations, or see official rules for America's Farmers Mom of the Year, visit www.AmericasFarmers.com or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to America's Farmers Mom of the Year, Attn: Nancy Hallahan, 914 Spruce Street, St. Louis, MO 63102.

America's Farmers Mom of the Year is an element of Monsanto's America's Farmers program, an advocacy effort promoting, recognizing and supporting U.S. farmers through communications, awards and special programs that highlight the importance of agriculture. Visit AmericasFarmers.com for more information.

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 small-holder 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.  Follow our business on Twitter^® at www.twitter.com/MonsantoCo, on the company blog, Beyond the Rows at www.monsantoblog.com, or subscribe to our News Release RSS Feed.

About American Agri-Women
American Agri-Women (AAW) is a national coalition of more than 40,000 farm, ranch and agribusiness women, representing 60 state and commodity affiliates.  To learn more about AAW, please visit: www.americanagriwomen.org.  Follow American Agri-Women on Twitter® at www.twitter.com/Women4Ag and like AAW on Facebook® at www.facebook.com/AgriWomen.

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SOURCE Monsanto Company