Benson, Nov 14 - Fifty students from three classes at Minnewaska Area High School toured the Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) plant today to learn more renewable ethanol production. 

The students that participated in the tour were from the school’s Intro to Ag, Ag Processing and Ag Stem classes. The students were from grades eight to 11.

During the tour, the students learned about incoming grain grading and handling, fermentation, grain storage, ethanol storage and shipment and dried distillers grains with solubles production and storage.

"We were happy to welcome today’s students from Minnewaska Area High School. We think it’s important for students to learn about how we’re able to transform local corn into clean, renewable energy and various co-products, in addition to learning about future career opportunities. We also get a chance with these tours to share with them the many ways our industry benefits Minnesotans by providing options and lowering costs at the pump, lowering carbon emissions, boosting rural economies and shifting us closer to energy independence,” said Chad Friese, CEO of CVEC.

Tiffany Kobbermann, agriculture teacher at Minnewaska High School, accompanied her students for the tour. 

“Today, our students gained added knowledge on a local industry and learned more about ethanol’s role in agriculture,” she said.

The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels). CVEC is a member of MN Bio-Fuels.