Oklahoma Farm Mom Voted Monsanto's America's Farmers Mom of the Year

ST. LOUIS, May 17, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Carol Cowan, Watonga, Okla., has been voted Monsanto Company's (NYSE: MON) America's Farmers Mom of the Year 2010.

Cowan was among five regional winners selected by a panel of judges from the American Agri-Women and Monsanto as finalists for America's Farmers Mom of the Year. More than 4,600 votes were cast for the national winner at AmericasFarmers.com. Cowan will receive $2,500 from Monsanto in recognition of being the national winner, in addition to $5,000 she received for being a regional winner.

"I am honored to represent farm moms nationwide, and would like to thank Monsanto for sponsoring this promotion," says Cowan. "It is a definite honor to be named Monsanto's first America's Farmers Mom of the Year. It's been a lot of fun!"

Katie Robertson, Territory Sales Manager for Asgrow^® and DEKALB^®, attended a presentation at Rodney Cowan Farms and presented Cowan a ceremonial check in front of her family and media.

Cowan was nominated through a nationwide call for entries, and winners were selected on the nominees' contributions to family, farm and community. Cowan's nomination as submitted by friend Nancy Baker reads, "Most moms only have one job, maybe two, but Carol wears many hats and enjoys them all. I believe our country would have better people 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." Cowan's winning nomination in its entirety is posted at AmericasFarmers.com.

Cowan has lived in Watonga all her married life and works alongside her husband Rodney on their on their wheat, soybean, alfalfa and cattle operation. She is a member of the American Farmers and Ranchers, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, First Baptist Church and the Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Program. She and her husband have four children: Ashley, twins Kelsey (who is engaged to Kurtis Shaw) and Kari (married to Colby Hetherington) and son Lance, who, along with wife Amy, is involved in the farming operation.

"We congratulate Carol on being voted our national Farm Mom of the Year," says Tami Craig Schilling, Monsanto community relations spokesperson and southern Illinois farm mom. "She's a remarkable lady who embodies the values of the farm wife and mother.  We were impressed with the outpouring of nominations shared from around the country.   Each essay reinforced the vital role women play in American agriculture."

Monsanto's America's Farmers Mom of the Year is part of the company's America's Farmers campaign, which celebrates the contributions of America's farmers, who help provide food, energy and clothing for our growing planet. Visit AmericasFarmers.com to read about other ways that Monsanto is recognizing the American farmer.

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 .

Asgrow^®, DEKALB^®, and Monsanto imagine^® and Vine Design^® are registered trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. ©2010 Monsanto Company.

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SOURCE Monsanto Company