Benson, March 5 – Eighteen students from Benson High School toured Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) today to get a closer look at the ethanol production process.

During the tour, the students learned about incoming grain grading, grain handling, fermentation, grain storage, dried distiller grain production and storage, ethanol storage and shipment.

“We were pleased to welcome our local high school to our plant today. It’s important for these students to understand how the ethanol industry is a driver of the economy in Benson and its surrounding areas,” said Chad Friese, CEO of CVEC.

Today’s tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels). CVEC, which has an annual production of 50 million gallons of ethanol, is a member of MN Biofuels.

It commenced operations in 1996 and has hosted many educational tours over the years for high school and college students, 4-H’ers and local agriculture and science programs.

“Ethanol is a green fuel that reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions and makes America more energy independent,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.

Benson High School’s agriculture teacher, Jean Anderson, accompanied her students during today’s tour at CVEC.

“My biggest hope is that after a tour of a very impressive and local company, students will begin to realize the opportunities they have right here in their own town. Whether it be marketing, sales, production, inspection, operations, transportation & logistics, engineering, etc.

“The opportunity is right under their nose. I also hope they realize how closely agriculture and science are related and just how far agriculture has progressed,” she said.