Syngenta Announces $5,000 Scholarship Opportunity for California Students

03.07.11

• $5,000 educational scholarship awarded to winner
• Application deadline Aug. 31, 2011
• Second year of Syngenta Almond Scholarship

Greensboro, N.C. - Continuing its investment in the future of agriculture, Syngenta is sponsoring the Syngenta Almond Scholarship program for the second year. The scholarship was launched at the 2010 Almond Industry Conference in December and will close on August 31, 2011. Applications are currently being accepted online and via mail.

The $5,000 scholarship opportunity is available to students who currently reside or attend school in California and who meet one of these requirements: 1) high school senior involved in the almond-growing industry or a member of 4-H or FFA; or 2) college freshman, sophomore or junior involved in the almond-growing industry or a member of 4-H or FFA.

Applications must include: 1) name, 2) address, 3) phone number, 4) e-mail, 5) school/college, 6) school year, 7) major/intended major, 8) agriculture involvement, 9) verification of the applicant’s involvement/previous involvement in 4-H or FFA, 10) declaration of student’s involvement in the almond-growing industry, and 11) an essay that does not exceed 700 words that addresses the following topic:

By 2050, we will need to double agricultural production to feed a growing population. How do we do that without further stressing our environment, bringing millions of acres of marginal land into production, depleting our natural forests and further threatening endangered species? How do we grow twice as much without further exhausting our already stressed water resources? In 700 words or less, explain how the almond industry can grow more from less to be able to feed the estimated 9 billion people by 2050. Incorporate your experiences and what you are doing to contribute to the industry in an effort to make this goal a reality. When writing your essay, consider the following aspects:

      -  Land Use

      -  Water Optimization

      -  Food Security

      -  Sustainability

Applications must be submitted by August 31, 2011, and can be sent to:

Meredith Brown

Gibbs & Soell Public Relations

8521 Six Forks Road, Suite 300

Raleigh, NC 27615

Ph: (919) 870-5718  Fax: (919) 870-8911  E-mail: mbrown@gibbs-soell.com

For additional information and the ability to apply for the scholarship online, please visit www.SyngentaAlmondScholarship.com.

The scholarship will be awarded and presented to the winner in November 2011 prior to the 2012 spring semester of school. In addition to the congratulatory letter that the winner will receive upon announcement of the $5,000 scholarship, he or she will also be recognized at the Almond Industry Conference December 2011.