[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 137 (Saturday, September 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E1771]]



                        TRIBUTE TO MONSANTO CO.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES M. TALENT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 27, 1996

  Mr. TALENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Monsanto Co. 
of St. Louis, MO. Awarded the first National Watershed Award, Monsanto 
was honored for Operation Greenstripe, a voluntary partnership to 
protect the quality of America's watersheds.
  Developed in 1992, Operation Greenstripe combats the problem of 
surface water runoff of soil sediment, the No. 1 threat to stream 
quality in the United States. Monsanto works with the students in 
Future Farmers of America [FFA] to encourage farmers to plant and 
maintain grassy buffer strips along waterways. Seed retailers join the 
partnership and donate wildlife-compatible grass seed for farmers to 
plant to lessen runoff and nurture wildlife habitat areas. The result 
has been to encourage farmers to adopt stream-protecting practices, 
teach future farmers the benefits of good stewardship, and to begin to 
make a difference in stream quality.
  Since its inception, the program has been expanded from 1 test 
location, to acceptance in 14 States with partnerships involving State 
and Federal agencies and with support from organizations and private 
groups. It's an excellent example of a voluntary, private initiative 
that makes a difference.
  The Watershed Award was established by CF Industries and is 
administered by the Conservation Fund. The award is given to those 
programs that safeguard fresh water through innovative, nonregulatory 
methods. It is truly an honor for Monsanto to be included in the first 
group of those recognized for their efforts to protect one of our 
Nation's greatest natural resources.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope you will join me in congratulating Monsanto on 
winning the Watershed Award and for their outstanding efforts to 
improve the quality of our Nation's waterways.

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