Minneapolis, March 29 – Twelve students from Minneota High School visited the Archer Daniels Midland Company's Carbohydrate Solutions plant in Marshall on Wednesday, March 27 to get a better understanding of renewable fuel production.
The students, all 12th graders, toured the various production process areas at ADM Carbohydrate Solutions, which included ethanol production, the facility’s fructose plant, mill and feedhouse and maintenance shop.
“By seeing our operations up close, these students gain a deeper understanding of how we connect the harvest to the home, making products for food, animal feed, industrial and energy uses,” said Nick Frank, plant manager. “We’re excited to welcome these students to our facility and we’re hopeful they’ll consider future careers in the ag industry.”
The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels) and sponsored by Novozymes, a global microbe and enzyme provider, and supporter of Minnesota’s ethanol industry. ADM and Novozymes are members of MN Biofuels.
ADM's ethanol plant is the only wet mill plant in Minnesota and produces 50 million gallons of ethanol a year. All other plants in the state use a dry milling process.
In the wet mill process, corn is separated through soaking and then processed through grinders. In the dry mill process, the corn kernel is grinded and mixed with water and enzymes.
"The ethanol industry plays a vital role in Minnesota's agriculture industry and through these tours, students are given a chance to see and understand the process of converting a homegrown renewable ingredient into clean energy," said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of MN Biofuels.
The students, who are a part of Minneota High School’s Building Trades class, were accompanied by the school’s agriculture instructor, Matt Buysse.
“The students learned more about potential career opportunities. It also showed them how biofuels are made and produced,” he said.