On October 25, we hosted a celebration of the 30^th anniversary of the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC). This center champions, promotes and provides information on technologies and sustainable agricultural systems that conserve and enhance soil, water, air and wildlife.

The CTIC’s mission is vital. That’s why a number of Monsanto employees have held leadership positions within the organization. The October event celebrated the work of a great organization and highlighted our long-standing and sustained focus on conservation, a key element of the Monsanto Pledge.

Over its 30 years, CTIC has helped drive some major U.S. conservation successes:

• No-till acres increased 343 percent from 1989 to 2004
• Water erosion decreased from 1.6 billion metric tons/year in 1982 to 960 million metric tons/year in 2007
• Soil loss from wind erosion went from 3.3 tons/acre/year in 1982 to 2.1 tons/acre/year in 2007