Improving the Health of Old Man River

Agricultural and environmental interests are teaming up for the sake of Old Man River.

Monsanto Company launched a new effort this week to help reduce nutrients and sediments in agricultural runoff by partnering with The Nature Conservancy, Iowa Soybean Association, Delta Wildlife and The National Audubon Society on conservation projects in the Mississippi River Basin.

The partnership aims to offer the agricultural community a comprehensive approach to improving the health of the Mississippi River while at the same time generating best practices that could be used in other major river systems around the world.

Monsanto and its conservation partners, along with grower associations including the National Corn Growers Association and the American Soybean Association also announced that they will be forming a Mississippi River Farm Nutrient Working Group which will involve other agricultural-related interests, government leaders and other interested organizations. Additional information on this group will be announced in spring 2009.