Central High School Students Tour Heartland Corn Products

Burnsville, Apr 2 - Nineteen students from Central High School's Small Engines class toured Heartland Corn Products yesterday to learn about the ethanol production process.

"We always enjoy welcoming students from Central High School's Small Engines class. These visits not only give us a chance to showcase our production process and potential career paths but also allow us to highlight how our industry benefits Minnesotans-by lowering fuel costs, significantly reducing transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening rural communities, and enhancing our state's energy independence," said Tom Paitrick, CEO of Heartland Corn Products.

During their tour, the students, from grades 10 to 12, were briefed on the various stages of ethanol production such as incoming grain handling and grading, fermentation, ethanol shipment, dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) production and shipment.

Jim Mesik, agriculture teacher at Central High School, accompanied his students on the tour.

"My students gained a general, improved understanding relating to the role of biofuels in our local agriculture economy and society. They also became more informed consumers of fuel and can better understand their options when they go to the pump," he said.

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