Monsanto Named by FORTUNE Magazine as One of '100 Best Companies to Work For'

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 25, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The February 8 issue of FORTUNE Magazine is scheduled to arrive on newsstands today featuring the business publication's annual listing of the "100 Best Companies to Work For." Agricultural leader Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) has been named to the list; ranking 59th overall and 22nd among the largest companies named to the list. Monsanto is the only agricultural technology company to make the top 100 list.

"This recognition by Fortune is a tribute to the more than 10,000 U.S. employees who make up Monsanto," said Steven C. Mizell, executive vice president, human resources. "It's our people who've created the culture being recognized today; a culture that strives to value each individual and their unique contributions in helping farmers meet the needs of our growing planet." Mizell adds, "It's this connection to something bigger than ourselves that is one of the reasons we are all so very proud to work at Monsanto."

To select the 100 Best Companies, FORTUNE partners with the Great Place to Work Institute to conduct the most extensive employee survey in corporate America. Two-thirds of a company's score is based on the results of the Institute's Trust Index survey, which is sent to a random sample of employees from each company. The survey asks questions related to their attitudes about management's credibility, job satisfaction, and camaraderie. The other third of the scoring is based on the company's responses to the Institute's Culture Audit, which includes detailed questions about pay and benefit programs and a series of open-ended questions about hiring, communication, and diversity.

Monsanto was recognized for best-in-class employee retention and acknowledged for generous benefits, including: retirement plans, onsite fitness centers and employee wellness programs, paid time off and flexible work schedules. The full list of companies can be viewed by visiting www.fortune.com/bestcompanies.

The FORTUNE ranking is one of several important honors recently received by the company, including being named "Company of the Year" by Forbes Magazine.

Learn more about career opportunities at Monsanto by visiting www.monsanto.com/careers.

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 Facebook at www.facebook.com/MonsantoCo, or subscribe to our News Release RSS Feed .

SOURCE Monsanto Company