CVEC Hosts Students From Minnewaska Area Schools

Benson, Nov 6 - Sixty-four students from Minnewaska Area Schools visited the Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) plant yesterday to learn about Minnesota's ethanol industry and ethanol production.

"We enjoyed hosting and sharing our story with students from Minnewaska Area Schools. These tours showcase our production process and the vital role our industry plays in lowering pump prices, reducing carbon emissions, fueling rural Minnesota communities, and strengthening energy security," said Chad Friese, CEO of CVEC.

During the tour, the students, from grades 8 to 10, learned about the various stages of the ethanol production process such as incoming grain grading and handling, fermentation, ethanol shipment, dried distillers grain production and shipment.

The students that participated in the tour were from the school's Intro to Ag class.

Yesterday's tour was the second time a group of students from Minnewaska Area Schools visited CVEC. In May, 45 students from its middle school's Ag Processing class toured the plant.

Both tours were organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Bio-Fuels). CVEC is a member of MN Bio-Fuels.

Earlier this year, CVEC celebrated its 30th anniversary of operations. The plant began producing ethanol in 1996 with an annual production capacity of 15 million gallons. Today, CVEC produces 50 million gallons of ethanol a year.