E15 is a solution to the impending agricultural crisis
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Vital magazine is a news and media resource managed by POET, the world’s largest producer of biofuels. Since 2008, Vital has provided readers with forward-thinking content that helps to advance an industry that provides renewable energy and bio-based products from the surface of the Earth. Vital seeks to educate readers about the state of the biofuels sector today and the breakthrough stories of innovation and sustainability of tomorrow by presenting a variety of insights and perspectives.
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POET is committed to creating a positive impact, one grant at a time
18 | Agriculture at a Crossroads
E15 is a solution to the impending agricultural crisis
34 | Laws and Legacies
Biofuel’s long history of positive legislation and policy wins
44 | Rooted in Leadership
FFA empowers students, growing the next generation of ag leaders
52 | Lightbulb Moments
Learning every day leads to success at POET Bioprocessing – Glenville
COLUMNS
06 | In Sight
Jeff Broin
| Farm Fresh
Brian Hefty
| Mechanic’s Corner
Automotive advice from Dr. Andrew Randolph
| Out Of Left Field
Scott Johnson
| Policy
| PAC
Top: Kelly Manning, Carter Howell, Grant Norfleet, and Doug Berven at POET Headquarters
Bottom Left: Russ Germann working at POET Bioprocessing – Glenville
Bottom Right: Marissa Templet hands out homemade treats to POET Bioprocessing – Alexandria team.
Year-Round E15: The Key to America’s Energy Future
By Jeff Broin, POET Founder and CEO
For years, E15 has represented an extraordinary opportunity to solve some of our nation’s most pressing challenges, from enhancing our energy security to cutting fuel costs and emissions to strengthening rural economies. Yet, despite its clear benefits, outdated regulatory barriers still prevent E15 from being sold year-round nationwide.
For over a decade, POET and Growth Energy, industry allies, and our congressional champions have fought the good fight day in and day out to expand access to E15. Now, it’s time that policymakers recognize the enormous potential of bioethanol to transform America’s energy and economic landscape. It’s time to remove these unnecessary restrictions and unleash the full potential of E15.
A win for farmers
Bioprocessing is by far the most significant value-add for U.S. agriculture, and expanding access to year-round E15 would deliver a much-needed boost for rural America. Due to expanding worldwide competition, falling grain prices, and rising input costs, farmers are on the brink of a crisis not seen since the 1980s. The ability to sell E15 year-round would create up to 2.5 billion bushels of new corn demand, raising commodity prices and injecting billions of dollars into the ag economy.
A win for consumers
E15 is more than just a fuel — it’s fuel freedom. It’s the freedom to choose a lower-cost option at the pump, saving consumers as much as 30 cents per gallon. It’s the freedom to breathe cleaner air; every gallon of bioethanol displaces harmful fossil fuels with renewable, plant-based energy that reduces toxic emissions.
Unfortunately, outdated regulatory barriers have long denied consumers access to E15 during critical summer months, limiting retailers’ desire to market it. The freedom to choose a cleaner, lower-cost fuel should not be limited by unnecessary restrictions. By approving year-round E15, consumers nationwide would be able to enjoy the benefits of an American-made fuel that is better for their wallets, their engines, and the environment every day of the year.
A win for America
Year-round E15 would not only be a significant step toward achieving energy independence and fostering innovation in the energy sector; it would be a powerful shift toward unleashing American energy dominance.
By embracing bioethanol, we can reduce our reliance on foreign oil and empower farmers and biofuel producers to lead the way in creating the energy solutions the world needs. Bioprocessing both strengthens our rural economy and drives cutting-edge advancements in biotechnology, bolstering the United States as a global leader in clean energy innovation. E15 represents an energy future that is both secure and sustainable, driven by the ingenuity and hard work of the American people.
The road ahead
At POET, we remain committed to unlocking the potential of E15 and advocating for policies that expand access to biofuels, support rural communities, and accelerate the transition to the bioeconomy of the future.
To farmers, consumers, and advocates across the country: your voice is essential. Contact your legislators about the importance of year-round E15 to agriculture and our nation. Together, we can break down the barriers holding back progress and build a brighter future for our farmers, for our families, and for generations to come.
Fueling Stronger Communities
POET is committed to creating a positive impact, one grant at a time
By Lynne Finnerty
In the spirit of changing the world for the better, the POET Community Impact Grant Program works to cultivate widespread impact by starting at home.
Being a good neighbor is a part of POET’s DNA, according to Alyssa Broin Christensen, POET Vice President of Team and Community Impact.
“It’s a core value that drives us to support and uplift the places where we live and work,” she said. “We believe in creating positive change, not only through our sustainable bioproducts but also through our active engagement and contributions to the communities we are proud to call home.”
The program was established by POET Founder and CEO Jeff Broin so that individuals and organizations operating in POET’s home communities can apply for funding to support projects that aim to create a positive impact.
The 2024 Community Impact Grant Program — which was facilitated by POET’s Sioux Falls headquarters, all 34 bioprocessing facilities, and POET Terminal – Savannah, Ga. — received nearly 1,400 applications. POET ultimately awarded nearly 150 grants, totaling $629,000, across its footprint.
The next cycle of POET’s annual Community Impact Grant Program will begin in the spring of 2025. Individuals, nonprofit organizations, schools, churches, emergency responders, and other groups who are ready to lead projects to improve their communities are invited to apply for one-time grants of up to $4,000 each.
The grant application is open online during the month of April. POET team members at each respective location review the applications and select grant recipients in their communities.
“Making a positive impact in our communities is at the core of what we do at POET,” said Adam Homan, General Manager of POET Bioprocessing – Portland, Ind. “We’re proud to partner with other local organizations that share our vision of creating a better, brighter future for everyone.”
POET team members review each grant request through the lens of POET’s three Pillars of Giving:
The Earth: Partnering with organizations that share POET’s mission to preserve a clean, healthy environment.
The Community: Supporting individuals and organizations committed to lifting up their communities by serving those who need it most.
The Next Generation: Cultivating creativity, confidence, and compassion in the next generation by providing support for disadvantaged youth in POET communities.
Studies have shown that small grants are impactful, making support more accessible to grassroots organizations and individuals who are closest to their communities and best understand local needs.
“The impact we’re able to have on our local communities through this program is huge,” said Shelby Christopherson, POET Communications Manager. “Every year, we watch the number of applications grow, and we’ve been fortunate enough to grow in giving money back to those communities. We look forward to giving dollars to unique projects to address their unique needs.”
A solid foundation of giving back
The Community Impact Grant Program complements other components of POET’s philanthropic work, particularly its Never Satisfied Scholarships to support students as well as the company’s Volunteer Time Off initiative, launched in the spring of 2023. This initiative offers team members 16 hours of paid time to volunteer in the communities where they live and work.
Christensen said POET takes a “holistic approach to giving,” uniting POET’s charitable contributions with the hands and feet of its team members.
For many years, POET has partnered with and supported many causes in Sioux Falls and beyond, including Children’s Home Society, Make-A-Wish, United Way, Lifescape, Veterans Community Project, Volunteers of America Dakotas, and Junior Achievement. POET works with these organizations to facilitate the Community Impact Grant Program and connect with eligible groups and community leaders, building on its existing, deep partnerships. Additionally, POET team members often volunteer with these organizations.
Volunteers of America Dakotas (VOA) works to uplift America’s most vulnerable citizens in body and soul, with food, shelter, worship, and other services.
“By collaborating with a committed community partner like POET, VOA can provide programs that serve those in need,” said Dennis Hoffman, CEO of Volunteers of America – Dakotas. “POET’s financial support and volunteer efforts help fuel essential programs that directly contribute to the goal of transforming lives. Together, they create opportunities for individuals and families to thrive, reinforcing the shared goal of building a stronger, healthier community.”
Junior Achievement helps young people realize their full potential by empowering them with career inspiration, financial knowledge, and other life skills.
“Providing interactive experiences for students in JA’s pillar areas of financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship sets them up for their most successful futures,” said Kayla Eitreim, President and CEO for Junior Achievement of South Dakota (JA). “When businesses and organizations like POET support JA, they’re helping these students understand the possibilities available to them.”
POET is also a title sponsor of JA Inspire, and POET team members join JA for the full day, interacting with area eight-grade students to educate them on the variety of careers available to them at POET and responding to questions about the necessary training and education for these roles. POET also sponsors and supports JA Finance Park, a virtual simulation that helps students learn about budgeting and personal finance.
“Both organizations have been great partners for POET,” said Christensen. “VOA has been a longstanding POET partner, and we’ve had team members participate in JA from a volunteer and mentorship aspect for many years.”
Giving humbly
Christensen said POET has always had a mission to give back, with the idea that “you give, and you give humbly.”
The company’s success — growing from one start-up facility in 1987 into the global leader in the production of biofuels and sustainable bioproducts — drives POET’s active engagement and contributions to the many communities it calls home.
“Our mission at POET is not just to lead in sustainable global solutions but to lead with servants’ hearts to empower our team members and our communities,” said Jeff Broin, POET Founder and CEO. “The choices we make today will create ripple effects tomorrow. By investing in causes that are working to change the world, we aim to help build a foundation for a brighter future for our children and grandchildren.”
Starting in April, qualified individuals and organizations operating in POET-occupied communities are invited to apply for the 2025 POET Community Impact Grant Program. For more information, visit poet.com/grants.
Agriculture at a Crossroads
E15 is a solution to the impending agricultural crisis
By Erin Branick, POET Media Manager
“Given the recent declines in commodity prices and farm income forecasts, farmers are likely to face several financial challenges in the coming years. One of the primary issues is the combination of falling grain prices and sticky input costs, which is expected to squeeze many farms’ finances in 2024 and into 2025. This situation creates a challenging environment for grain producers, as their revenue decreases while their costs remain high.” –Jackson Takach, Farmer MAC Chief Economist, VP of Strategy, Research, & Analytics
The U.S. agricultural industry is teetering on the edge of a crisis, and it’s time we paid attention. Corn farmers are facing oversupply, with prices hitting 17-year lows when adjusted for inflation. Meanwhile, bioethanol, the single largest market for U.S. corn, has stagnated, and foreign competition is reducing export opportunities.
We’ve seen this story before; in the early 1980s, a similar collapse drove hundreds of thousands of farmers off their land, crippled rural economies, and left a scar on the heart of American agriculture. Today, we’re once again staring down the barrel of an agricultural crisis — and if we don’t act fast, the fallout could be catastrophic.
There is a solution that has been right in front of us all along: E15. More than just a cleaner, low-cost biofuel option for consumers, E15 holds the key to reviving demand for corn, stabilizing prices, and saving countless farms from financial ruin.
The looming agricultural crisis
To understand the gravity of today’s agricultural predicament, we must look back to the early 1980s. During this period, corn prices dropped by more than $2 per bushel, a staggering decline that sent ripple effects across rural America. Hundreds of thousands of farmers lost their farms, while land and equipment values plummeted by up to 70%. The root cause of this crisis was simple: supply far exceeded demand, driving prices below the cost of production for many years.
“I’ll never forget the devastation and uncertainty brought on by the farm crisis in the eighties,” said Jeff Broin, POET Founder and CEO. “We watched as several of our neighbors lost their land, their livelihoods, and their financial security. Farm bankruptcy auctions became all too common. It was a painful time for agriculture.”
Unfortunately, history is now on the verge of repeating itself. Corn prices are again dangerously low, and while the economic landscape has evolved, the fundamentals remain the same: when supply outpaces demand, prices fall, and the burden will land squarely on the shoulders of ag producers.
The role of bioethanol in stabilizing agriculture
In the midst of the last ag crisis, bioethanol emerged as the lifeline the agriculture industry so desperately needed. POET, now the largest bioethanol producer in the world, played a key role in this transformation.
In 1987, the Broin family purchased the first POET bioprocessing facility in Scotland, S.D.
Over the next two decades, bioethanol production increased exponentially, providing a vital new market for corn that stabilized prices and revitalized rural economies.
As bioethanol production ramped up, so did ag land values, restoring prosperity in regions that had been ravaged by oversupply in the years prior. Today bioethanol purchases and processes 5.5 billion bushels of corn annually, more than two and a half times the amount the U.S. exports. Biofuels, particularly bioethanol, became the key driver for agricultural demand, and for decades, this new market helped farmers remain profitable.
Today’s challenges
However, in the last decade, the bioethanol market has not grown at the pace necessary to keep up with the continuous rise in corn yields. Compounding this issue is the stagnation in U.S. corn exports over the last 20 years. Competing ag nations, such as Brazil and China, have ramped up their corn production and exports.
Rural communities are the first to feel the burden of economic downturn.
“In many rural areas, the farming economy is the backbone of the local economy,” said Takach. “Directly through on-farm employment or indirectly through jobs supporting agricultural, food, fiber, and fuel production, the agricultural economy significantly impacts rural communities.”
According to the USDA’s Farm Sector Income Forecast Study, published in September, net farm income is projected to drop 23 percent from 2022, driven largely by decreases in cash receipts from major crops like corn and soybeans. Coupled with these financial pressures, farmer sentiment has reached its lowest levels since 2016, according to Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture Producer Survey.
in near zero temperatures outside the Chicago Board of Trade in a protest over low commodity prices.
Right: January 1985, Chicago, Illinois: Some of the several hundred farmers picket
“When farm profitability declines, investments in new machinery, automobiles, buildings, and other capital expenses decrease,” said Takach. “Families supported by these operations tighten their belts, reducing spending at local stores, businesses, and dining establishments. Consequently, businesses reliant on this spending cut employee hours and potentially jobs. Fortunately, many rural communities have diverse industries and micro-economies to help weather bad years. However, the agricultural economic cycle can significantly influence the overall economic health of rural areas.”
Without new markets or increased demand for corn, American farmers may again see their profits evaporate, along with the prosperity of rural communities that depend on farming. This situation could affect every farmer in the U.S. and beyond, impacting economies around the world.
E15: The immediate solution
Transitioning to E15 nationwide would increase corn demand significantly — by up to 2.5 billion bushels each year. This boost would be enough to rebalance supply with demand, bringing corn prices back to profitable levels for farmers.
“E15 is a long-term answer to the near-term challenges facing the agricultural and energy sectors,” said Doug Berven, POET’s Vice President of Corporate Affairs. “We can create a reliable, growth-oriented market for crops — just like biofuels have done since the 1980s. Not only is E15 an affordable, readily available, loweremission fuel solution, but it’s also home-grown and supports American farmers and rural economies.”
The time for action is now
Biofuel producers have been leading the way in promoting nationwide E15 for more than a decade, but the time has come for the entire agricultural sector, including commodity groups and farmers, to join the fight. Expanding E15 is not just a matter of supporting biofuels — it’s about safeguarding the future of American agriculture.
“E15
is the single most effective way to boost demand for corn and ensure the future of agriculture in this country.”
Doug Berven, POET Vice President of Corporate Affairs
“E15 is the single most effective way to boost demand for corn and ensure the future of agriculture in this country,” said Berven. “We’ve seen what happens when supply outspaces demand — farmers suffer, rural communities decline, and the entire economy takes a hit. But we have the solution in our hands. Now is the time to make E15 the standard fuel for our country and secure a prosperous future for agriculture and our nation.”
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What’s more, sustainability and environmental conservation are key in each and every process we develop. That’s why our commitment to provide the separating technology required to produce renewable biofuels and agricultural co-products is as strong as ever. To learn more about GEA’s centrifuges and separation equipment and the industries we serve, visit us online at gea.com.
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MECHANIC’S CORNER
Is Bioethanol Safe?
By Dr. Andrew Randolph, Technical Fellow at Richard Childress Racing
Normally we don’t question the health implications of the fuel we put in our vehicles. As long as we put the fuel in our cars as opposed to our mouths, all types of fuel seem “safe”.
But what does safe mean? Does “safe” mean that we fill our vehicles and drive away without immediate devastating side effects, or does “safe” mean that exposure to fuel droplets and vapors over several decades has zero adverse effects?
The first definition of “safe” is pretty easy to evaluate. Indeed, if you are reading this column, you most likely surpassed that safety threshold. The second definition is much harder to evaluate independently, but several well-executed studies have been performed on numerous fuels and fuel additives. In fact, these studies have historically driven many fuel composition changes.
Pure gasoline contains hundreds of molecular compounds, all combinations of carbon and hydrogen atoms. Properties of a fuel — such as octane, volatility, energy content, and carbon-based emissions propensity — are dictated by the combination of molecular compounds selected. Well-known fuel molecules such as hexane and heptane will make you very sick if you drink them, but there are no known health issues associated with casual exposure. Other fuel molecules such as benzene and toluene are known carcinogens, which dramatically increase the likelihood of cancer with prolonged casual exposure.
So, where does bioethanol fit in this discussion? The figure below lists several gasoline constituents and additives that have been used historically to increase octane to the required levels. Hexane and heptane are iso-alkanes, a “safe”. hydrocarbon but relatively low octane. A fuel consisting solely of iso-alkanes would satisfy octane requirements and be “safe” but be extremely expensive because the fuel produced from a barrel of oil would decrease significantly.
Benzene and toluene are a class of hydrocarbon molecules called aromatic hydrocarbons, most of which have been proven carcinogenic. They are highoctane and have a high energy density, which are desirable attributes, but are definitely not “safe”.
Tetraethyl lead (TEL) is a great octane additive and relatively inexpensive, but lead has been a known brain toxin for decades and is banned in most consumer products, including gasoline.
Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) is good for octane and fairly inexpensive, but it is toxic and dissolves fully in water — a bad combination! Leaks of MTBE into groundwater, lakes, or rivers mix with water and cannot be removed, creating a mixture toxic to fish and humans. Other additives, such as methanol, have this same issue.
What about bioethanol? There are no known adverse health consequences associated with prolonged exposure. You can even ingest limited amounts and won’t be harmed, although you may do or say something you regret the next day. Every other known high-octane constituent may seriously harm you in one way or another. The cause of harm will vary, but the end result in all cases is problematic.
In conclusion, bioethanol is the only high-octane fuel constituent known without associated adverse health effects from prolonged exposure. Bioethanol is safe. In fact, it is the only safe choice.
POLICY
Table Talk
Kitchen table issues dominate 2024 election
By Paige Lindgren, POET Director of Public Affairs
Each election cycle, Americans head to the polls and cast their ballots for the candidates they believe will best address the country’s most pressing concerns. This cycle, the issues that drove voters to the polls focused on basic aspects of Americans’ lives, such as gas prices or the cost of groceries. It was concerns like those discussed over family dinner that decided the election — aptly referred to as kitchen table issues.
Americans voted for candidates who spoke to the same issues they were facing at home, around the kitchen table. In Indiana, Governor-elect Mike Braun (R-IN) spoke to those concerns, from the campaign trail to his victory speech. In an ad titled “Kitchen Table,” Braun cited his top priorities as lowering energy bills, cutting property taxes, and improving schools — the same things he and his wife discussed around their own dinner table. This was a message that clearly resonated with the Hoosier state, and Braun defeated his challenger with a resounding victory. The very next day, he outlined his priorities as governor; he called it a “platter of opportunity” and pledged to be “focused on the kitchen table issues I’ve been talking about.”
As two-thirds of the United States’ middle class struggle financially, it’s clear that Americans want leaders who understand, validate, and are ready to address their concerns. In Arizona’s Senate race, Ruben Gallego (DAZ) often touched on his childhood experiences being raised by a single mother and made families’ concerns about making ends meet a central theme of his campaign. Following his victory in Arizona, Senatorelect Gallego detailed the power of speaking about those issues, saying, “People really felt the pain of the economy, of not being able to buy what they wanted, not being able to buy a house or even get an apartment. What we needed to do was make sure people knew I felt what they felt.”
With inflation most often felt at the grocery store and the gas pump, it’s no surprise to see so many agriculture and bioethanol champions elected or re-elected to office. With a track record of delivering results for their constituents and supporting our farmers and rural communities, it is easy to see why Americans want to send individuals like Representative Tom Emmer (RMN-06) or Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) back to Congress. The same goes for officials entering new or freshman positions, like Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) and Representative Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), who will serve as their respective states’ Governor.
For biofuels, many of our champions focused on these kitchen table issues and held their Congressional spots. Supporting biofuels, especially higher blends like E15, lowers fuel prices and creates demand for locally grown grain — directly benefiting families, farmers, and the broader economy. Biofuels are truly a bipartisan and kitchen table win.
Ultimately, kitchen table issues represent the reality for millions of Americans. In this election, voters sent a clear message: they want leaders who are focused, above all else, on the economy, the cost of living, access to housing, and other basic aspects of everyday life. Candidates who addressed these struggles earned the trust and support of their constituents. With these concerns at the forefront of voters’ minds, it is crucial that elected officials now make them their top priorities in office.
At some point, technology and nature fell out of rhythm. POET is getting us back in rhythm with nature with sophisticated and sustainable biotechnology solutions to our most immediate challenges.
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PEOPLE OF POET
Baking a Difference
Marissa Templet finds connection through creativity in the kitchen
By Janna Farley
There’s just something about the iconic Oreo™ that everyone loves. But in Marissa Templet’s kitchen, the classic cookie gets even more irresistible. Templet transforms Oreos into tasty truffles, shaped traditionally or in fun holiday themes, such as footballs, pumpkins, and even Halloween-themed monsters.
“They’re so, so good,” said Templet. “I can do so many fun things with them.”
Templet loves sharing her sweet treats as much as she likes making them. Eventually, she’d like to start a side baking business. But for now, the team at POET Bioprocessing – Alexandria, where Templet is the Senior Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Specialist, definitely benefits. “I really enjoy randomly bringing in treats to share at work, especially around the holidays.”
Sweet treats are a good motivator for her co-workers, too. Homemade baked goods are often a highly sought-after prize for the friendly workplace competitions she’s organized over the years. “If your team wins,” she said, “you get to choose whatever you want, and I’ll bake it.”
“Marissa has always been a champion of pulling together people and events at the plant,” Dan McMahan, General Manager of POET Bioprocessing – Alexandria, said.
“She’s full of energy. She definitely has a lot of passion for her role in EH&S, but the safety world can be monotonous at times. She tries to keep things fun and interesting while still holding her team accountable.”
And, of course, no one can resist great food, McMahan said of the cookie bake-offs, burger feeds, and holiday parties Templet helps organize for the staff. As with the rest of the POET organization, team-building and community outreach are important parts of the POET – Alexandria culture.
“We spend as much time at the plants with each other as we do with our families at home,” he said. “It’s important that we get along and enjoy each other. Marissa is such a high-energy individual who helps bring joy to the team. We just all love her to death.”
Building connections isn’t just something Templet does at work. Her spirit extends outside of the POET facility, too.
“Whatever we’re doing in the community, Marissa is directly involved in,” McMahan said. “She’s a true community champion.”
“Marissa is such a high-energy individual who helps bring joy to the team.”
Dan McMahan, General Manager of POET Bioprocessing – Alexandria, Indiana
“Her positive attitude is standard operating procedure for Templet,” said Dan McMahan, General Manager of POET Bioprocessing – Alexandria, IN.
In the spring, for example, Templet played an integral role in the Alexandria Toy Drive’s golf fundraiser. “I’ll do anything for a good cause,” she said. “It was pretty competitive. People really got into it — and we raised a good amount of money, too. I’m hoping to be even more involved with it next year.”
Finding involvement in the community has helped Templet, who is originally from Louisiana, feel at home in Indiana.
“It’s fun to immerse yourself into a community, and doing so is a really great way to get to know new people,” she said. “Alexandria is such a small town, and I want to see this community thrive. It’s so much fun to get out there and see what you can do to help. It’s what’s helped make Indiana home for me.”
But nothing’s better than getting creative in the kitchen, Templet said. Black forest cake, cheesecake, peanut butter fudge, and zucchini bread are all new favorites to make.
“I love trying new recipes. It’s so much fun,” she said. “It’s such a nice way to relax and unwind after work.”
More than that, however, baking brings her closer to others. “Sometimes, if I’m going somewhere and I don’t think I’ll know anyone, I’ll bring a dessert,” she said. “It always helps start a conversation. It’s a great way to get to know people. I like being a part of the community, and baking is a great way to help me get involved!”
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FEATURE
Laws and Legacies
Biofuel’s long history of positive legislation and policy wins
By Matt Merritt
Disrupting the market of the world’s largest industries is not easy. But if there were a textbook on how to do it, the bioethanol industry’s growth, particularly in the last 25 years, would provide the perfect case study. The will and ingenuity of America’s ag and biofuel sectors, combined with the support of federal and state lawmakers who understood the need to create inroads into an exclusive market, created a new frame for how our nation thinks about transportation fuel.
The early days: bioethanol’s potential stalls
Bioethanol as fuel has been an option since the early days of combustion engines.
• In 1826, Samuel Morey created an engine that ran on bioethanol and turpentine.
• In 1876, Nicolaus Otto, who pioneered the four-cycle internal combustion engine, used bioethanol as a fuel.
• In 1926, Henry Ford said it was “a cleaner, nicer, better fuel for automobiles than gasoline.”
However, through the rest of 20th century, oil established itself as the primary fuel for the internal combustion engine due to factors including cheap fuel during the oil boom in America, tax constraints around alcohol production and sales (including Prohibition), and more.
OPEC oil embargo drives new interest in bioethanol
It wasn’t until the 1970s, driven in large part by the OPEC oil embargo, that America looked again to bioethanol as a solution for powering our vehicles. The Energy Tax Act of 1978 encouraged bioethanol use through a 40-cent-per-gallon tax incentive. In 1979, President Jimmy Carter noted the potential of bioethanol in his energy address.
“From the products of our forests and croplands, we can produce more (bioethanol), already being used to replace gasoline in several Midwestern states,” he said.
However, the oil industry at the time put pressure on independent distributors to limit bioethanol’s availability. In response, Congress passed the Gasohol Competition Act of 1980, intended to stop discrimination against bioethanol at fuel stations.
Despite these efforts, the oil industry, through the 1980s, continued to undermine bioethanol, funding marketing campaigns around “no alcohol in my gas.”
Tax incentive, MTBE bans spark new growth for bioethanol
In the 1990s, supportive lawmakers worked to maintain the bioethanol tax incentive for bioethanol. Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley recalls a hard fight against oil-state lawmakers to preserve it in 1997, as he and other advocates secured a 10-year extension of the program at 54 cents per gallon with steps down over time to 51 cents.
“I recall racing one late afternoon across the Capitol to connect with Speaker Gingrich to make my pitch for bioethanol. That conversation helped seal the deal, delivering much-needed certainty to unleash private investment in the maturing bioethanol industry, allowing producers to expand in communities across rural America,” Grassley said. “Even back then, the bioethanol industry was fueling job creation across the Corn Belt, diversifying markets for farmers, increasing net farm income, and reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil.”
At the same time, America became aware of the health effects of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), a chemical used to increase the octane of gasoline. MTBE was seeping into groundwater, leading then-Gov. Gray Davis asserted that “on balance, there is significant risk to the environment from using MTBE in gasoline in California” in an executive order to eliminate MTBE use in California in 1999. Other states followed, and in 2000, the U.S. EPA recommended phasing it out.
The oil industry blamed the Clean Air Act, not MTBE, and campaigned against the oxygenate legislation. But ag supporters made sure America knew there was a homegrown alternative.
In a 2000 Senate floor address, Grassley asserted, “The answer is so simple and clear: Ban MTBE, but don’t gut the Clean Air Act’s oxygenate requirement. Let American farmers fill this void. And let them fill it today.”
This work had a measurable impact. Bioethanol production rose from 1.6 billion gallons in 2000 to nearly 4 billion gallons by 2005, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Renewable Fuel Standard
The next great stride forward for the bioethanol industry came with President George Bush’s signing of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This law set the framework for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), calling for increasing amounts of bioethanol to be blended into the fuel supply, culminating in 7.5 billion gallons by 2012.
“The bill includes a flexible, cost-effective renewable fuel standard that will double the amount of ethanol and biodiesel in our fuel supply over the next seven years. Using ethanol and biodiesel will leave our air cleaner. And every time we use a home-grown fuel, particularly these, we’re going to be helping our farmers, and at the same time, be less dependent on foreign sources of energy,” President Bush said at the signing of the act in 2005.
In this legislation, the bioethanol tax incentive became the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC), and liability protection for MTBE was eliminated, officially ending its use in the U.S. fuel supply.
Only a couple of years later, The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 expanded the bioethanol blending target to 36 billion gallons by 2022 with a mix including cellulosic and other advanced biofuel use.
These two acts led to a rapid expansion of bioethanol production, which had increased to nearly 14 billion gallons by 2011.
According to Sen. Grassley, the RFS has impacted every aspect of agriculture and is a true victory for ag and energy policy.
“Since its creation in 2005, the RFS has had a proven track record of success, in many ways exceeding expectations to create jobs, restore vitality in rural communities, diversify markets for farmers, save consumers money at the pump, foster U.S. energy security, and reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions,” he said. “Along the bioethanol industry supply chain, the RFS impacts the bottom lines of landowners, corn growers, livestock producers who feed the protein-rich co-product (dried distillers grain) to their cattle, hogs, and poultry, ag retail suppliers and bioethanol workers/producers. It’s truly an example of federal policy impacting the lives and livelihoods of the people I represent in Washington.”
Jeff Broin, POET Founder and CEO, poses with first E85 car, owned by South Dakota Corn Growers, in front of South Dakota Capitol circa 1991.
E15 enters the market
In 2011, bioethanol policy took a sharp turn, away from the tax credits that had helped establish it and towards an acknowledgment that the nation’s vehicles can and should use more renewable biofuel.
That year, the tax credit was allowed to expire in a nod to bioethanol’s place as a mature industry with a sound foot in the fuel market. However, it was still hampered by a regulatory 10% cap on use, referred to as the “blend wall.”
To overcome that limitation, the EPA approved a new 15% bioethanol blend, called E15, for vehicles model years 2001 and newer. It was the next step in the growth of biofuels and the agriculture system that supports them.
“For the first time in 30 years, there is now a crack in the blend wall,” POET Founder and CEO Jeff Broin said in a 2011 speech to Growth Energy members. “And even with the incredible opposition to E15, I assure you that in time, we will overcome the hurdles to bring E15 to the market.”
The next step for bioethanol
Approval of E15 has indeed increased biofuel use, with the industry producing 15.6 billion gallons in 2023. However, U.S. fuel regulations still ban its use during summer months for most drivers.
There have been attempts to lift this ban, most notably in 2019 when President Donald Trump’s administration approved E15 for year-round use. That approval was later overturned in federal court on a challenge by the oil industry.
Temporary lifting of E15 restrictions in summer months have been approved in special cases, during the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance. But a permanent lifting of the regulation remains a top priority for champions of biofuels and agriculture.
Sen. Grassley knows the work is not done, but he is proud of the public/private partnership he has been part of in helping the bioethanol industry grow.
“Without question, the federal commitment helped kick-start the maturing industry to bring much-needed certainty for investment and expansion,” he said. “Uncle Sam can’t put his foot on the brakes now. Homegrown renewable fuels are an American success story.”
POET PAC: Biofuels Champion
Congressman Dusty Johnson
By Matt Ward, POET Senior Manager of Government Affairs
Congressman Dusty Johnson (R) represents South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was recently elected to his fourth term in office. During his time in Congress, Representative Johnson has been a steadfast leader and champion for biofuels.
We recently had the chance to discuss the importance of biofuels with Rep. Johnson.
Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I live in Mitchell with my wife and three sons not far from the local POET plant. I serve as a coChair of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus, the Ag Trade Caucus, and also of the Sustainable Aviation Caucus. So, a lot of my time is spent on biofuels issues. And not just because it’s important to Mitchell and to South Dakota — although they certainly are — but also because I just fundamentally believe that biofuels are a huge part of how we’re going to power America for a long time.
Why is the biofuels industry important to you and South Dakota?
Obviously, there are a lot of reasons that biofuels are important. We often have a tendency to focus on their impact on corn basis, how having that additional buyer for corn can dramatically help producers. Sometimes, we focus on the environmental benefits. It’s clearly less carbonintensive than gasoline alone. But I think my biggest passion for biofuels comes from the idea that this is American energy. We want America to be energy-strong. It’s exciting that South Dakota and the rest of the Corn Belt can play such a leading role in that.
The availability of E15 is growing in South Dakota. Why do you think it’s important that consumers have a choice to access higher blends of biofuels at the pump?
I’ve always been a big believer in freedom at the pump, and we know that when they’re given the option to buy E15, consumers are increasingly willing to do so. It is frustrating that we’re not able to have E15 year-round. I think we’d have even more adoption if that was a product that consumers knew would be there month in and month out. To me, it’s the biggest no-brainer policy for American energy space. There’s no good reason that we don’t have it available yearround. It would unleash an extra eight billion gallons a year of American fuel. Getting yearround E15 has been a top priority for the Congressional Biofuels Caucus, and it’s something that I’m hopeful we can get some movement on soon.
Any parting thoughts for our readers today?
POET is the largest producer of bioethanol in the world. We grind U.S. corn to produce biofuel, and we access markets by rail, truck, etc. POET is also the 17th largest container shipper in the U.S. – shipping POET Distillers Grains to markets all over the world. Your committee work is focused on Ag and T&I. Tell us how that work is important to South Dakota, bioethanol, and rural economies.
My committee assignments of agriculture and transportation really are the perfect marriage. I think our office spends more time on supply chains than any other office in Congress because we understand that we can’t get American ag-based products to market if we don’t have a great supply chain. As the author of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, which we passed last Congress, and the Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act, which we passed out of the House of this Congress, I just know that if American companies like POET are provided the infrastructure to be able to get their products to consumers, we’re all going to be better off.
I think the best for biofuels is yet to come. I know there’s been a lot of attention paid to EVs, and I don’t have any doubt that over the next few years, EVs will increase their market share somewhat. But I still think that American biofuels are going to be playing an even bigger role ten years from now and twenty years from now than they are even today. I think the future is bright.
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Future Yield Outlook Is Growing
By Brian Hefty, CEO of Hefty Seed Company
The United States has the safest, most affordable, and most abundant food supply in the world! That’s thanks in part to the great work the American farmer does each day, but it’s also thanks to all those who support agriculture, including scientists, plant breeders, agronomists, and more.
The best part, though, is that we’re not done. I firmly believe yields will continue to go up, and at the same time, we will continue to make our land and the environment better.
Despite suffering from drought over the last three years on our farm, yields in our region have remained relatively high. We farm in southeast South Dakota, where we typically only get 24 inches of total annual precipitation, including snow, so when I talk to farmers in other areas, they often ask how we can raise the crops we do on that little amount of moisture. My answer usually involves the three things I want to focus on today: plant genetics, fertility application, and education.
Plant breeding has come a long way. For example, the genome of corn is completely mapped out. Plant breeders can run genetics tests on a corn seed and figure out immediately what type of structure and traits it will carry with it. Because of that and other technologies, plant breeders are able to churn out new varieties faster than ever before. Today’s plants can withstand the elements and disease issues much better than what we had just a few years ago.
Next is fertilizer. Years ago, I traveled to a foreign country where tens of thousands of acres were treated exactly the same, regardless of how any field produced. I still think about that, because imagine the inefficiency. Today on our farm, and on thousands of farms across the United States, fertilizer is applied at varying levels through even the smallest of fields. We can take soil tests that allow precise applications to be made. We can also use past yield data to apply only the plant nutrients that have been removed by a previous crop, raising and lowering rates of different fertility products in each area of a field. These practices allow us to be environmentally conscious and economically sound, placing the right plant food in the right places at the right times.
Finally, education is what makes a lot of this go. We are blessed to have some of the best people in the world who are striving to improve agriculture every single day. Plus, information access has never been better, providing us with everything from yield trials and the means to listen to farmers all over discuss what has worked and what hasn’t to solve almost any crop challenge. Even at my age and being a lifelong farmer and agronomist, I learn something new every day thanks to the availability of and accessibility to information.
As technology and education continue to allow us to achieve greater yields, it is also important that we continue to expand our grain markets as well. To sustain profitability and strengthen our rural economies, it’s essential that the demand for our commodities remains high. This combination will provide growth and prosperity for generations to come.
Even though yields have reached their highest point in history, I see no end in sight. The world will continue to need more food, more low-carbon fuel, and more ag-based products, and I believe the American farmer and everyone involved in agriculture will step up to meet that demand.
Fueling energy independence.
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FEATURE
Rooted in Leadership
FFA empowers students, growing the next generation of ag leaders
By Erin Branick, POET Media Manager
The National FFA Organization has been shaping the next generation of agricultural leaders for nearly a century, providing students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to succeed in a rapidly changing agricultural landscape.
POET is committed to supporting organizations like FFA that help students develop both professionally and personally. Recently, two National FFA Officers, Grant Norfleet, National FFA Secretary, and Carter Howell, National FFA Southern Region Vice President, visited POET’s headquarters in Sioux Falls, S.D., to share insights into how FFA continues to cultivate the next generation of agricultural innovators and leaders. Their visit underscored the vital role FFA plays in preparing students for the evolving challenges and opportunities in agriculture.
Preparing the next generation of leaders
Founded in 1928, FFA’s mission goes beyond traditional farming, emphasizing leadership, personal growth, and career success in agriculture and related fields. Today, with over a million student members nationwide, FFA continues to be a vital force in preparing young people for their future careers and goals.
“Today, it’s easy to see the need in our country for civic leadership and servantship,” said Howell. “FFA teaches a lot of those values. Not only are we engaging students in agricultural leadership, but the best thing anyone can do in this world is to teach young people how to be good human beings. FFA is doing that really well.”
At its core, FFA is about leadership development. The organization teaches young people the importance of hard work, community service, and ethical decision-making, preparing them for future leadership roles both in and outside the agriculture sector.
“Students recognize the importance of giving back to their community and the importance of service,” said Howell. “Those civic values are what FFA is really good at and has been for 97 years.”
“My time in FFA was about much more than farming.”
— Jeff Broin, POET Founder and CEO
Jeff Broin, POET Founder and CEO, commends FFA for its development of agricultural leaders, including himself.
“My time in FFA was about much more than farming — it taught me life skills, leadership, and teamwork,” says Broin. “In addition to many technical skills like sales and parliamentary procedure, it helped me understand the importance of the agricultural sector and the many ways it could impact the future. FFA gave me the foundation to be a leader, not just in agriculture, but in making a positive impact on the world.”
Hands-on experience and career exploration
One of the most valuable aspects of the FFA program is its focus on hands-on, experiential learning. Through Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs) and various career development events, students get the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in real-world scenarios. Whether it’s managing a livestock project, developing a community garden, or working on cutting-edge agricultural technology, these experiences help students see the broad spectrum of careers available in agriculture.
“Agriculture education is a three-circle model, so the classroom is only one-third of the experience you get as a student,” said Norfleet. “You get the leadership component from FFA, but then you also get the supervised agriculture experience program. Those projects are where you get to take the knowledge you’ve learned from the classroom and the leadership experience from FFA into a career you can see yourself in.”
FFA’s influence spans both rural and urban landscapes, introducing students from diverse backgrounds to the breadth of opportunities in agriculture.
“Students in the Midwest get it because they live it,” Norfleet said. “But we also have FFA chapters in cities like Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York City. Those students might see themselves in bio-research or biotechnology.”
By introducing agriculture in a broader context, FFA helps urban students understand how agriculture impacts their everyday lives, from the food they eat to the energy they use. They also develop leadership and career-applicable skills that prepare them for their futures.
“FFA helps students gain leadership skills and the skills necessary to be employable in any career — whether that’s in agriculture or not,” said Norfleet. “It ultimately helps them be a successful consumer and advocate for agriculture. It connects them to agriculture in a way that’s far beyond the dinner plate that sits in front of them every night.”
FFA: A bright future for agriculture
With its focus on leadership and hands-on learning, FFA continues to be a critical force in shaping the future of agriculture. As the world relies more and more heavily on agriculture to solve the world’s challenges, the next generation of FFA members will be at the forefront of finding innovative solutions.
“FFA is preparing future leaders and equipping them with the skills they need to make a difference in our communities, in agriculture, and in the world,” said Broin. “Agriculture has always been about much more than just crops and livestock. It’s about innovation, stewardship, and leaving a positive legacy, and FFA is helping to ensure that legacy continues for generations to come.”
Lightbulb Moments
Learning every day leads to success at POET Bioprocessing – Glenville
By Megan Malugani
When POET Bioprocessing – Glenville Plant Manager Josh Karaus was in college, he planned to be a high school chemistry teacher. But his career goals changed after an internship at an oil refinery, where he was introduced to the satisfaction of production chemistry, or “using science to make stuff.”
So when Karaus graduated from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls 20 years ago, he applied for a job posting his grandma had seen. His journey at POET – Glenville began, where he initially worked as a quality manager for 10 years before being promoted to plant manager in 2014.
Karaus said his early aspirations as a chemistry teacher are still a part of his everyday job. “Every day is a school day at POET. We’re always teaching and learning something,” Karaus said.
That mindset is reflected across all POET Bioprocessing –Glenville’s team members and applies both inside and outside the plant’s walls. From an internal culture of growth and development to external efforts to demystify the bioethanol sector, the plant gets high marks for helping to make its team members, communities, and the entire POET enterprise better each day.
Right: Russ Germann meets with team members Josh Karaus and Mike Cox.
Creating A+ opportunities for team members
Opened in 1999 in the far southeastern corner of Minnesota, POET Bioprocessing – Glenville is the fourth oldest of the 34 plants that POET operates. It has been expanded and updated over the years and currently employs 44 experienced, efficient team members who exemplify POET’s philosophy of developing talent and promoting from within.
“Over 60 percent of our team members have more than five years of experience, and a lot of people have 10, 12, or 20 years of experience,” said General Manager Russ Germann. Germann joined POET two years ago after a long career in both the petroleum and asphalt industries. “Since I’ve been here, we’ve promoted team members seven different times with new roles and new responsibilities. A couple of them have taken bigger roles at neighboring POET plants. That’s really unique in my career compared to other companies I’ve worked for.”
Shift Supervisor Mike Cox is a perfect example of a team member seizing new opportunities. In nine years, he’s moved from a night operator to night maintenance to day operator and finally day shift supervisor. Cox said the ‘every day is a school day’ mindset has been instrumental in advancing his career. “The more you apply yourself, the more your opportunities become immeasurable,” Cox said. Now, Cox focuses on teaching others. “When someone asks you a question, and you’re able to advise or teach them, you can’t put a price tag on that. It’s one of the best feelings.”
Raising awareness in the community
The teaching mentality extends beyond team members and into the Glenville and nearby Albert Lea, Minnesota communities as well.
Many community members “know that POET is in Glenville but don’t always completely understand what we do,” Germann said, so educating the public is a rewarding endeavor. POET leaders enjoy giving tours to local Chamber of Commerce members who are part of the Chamber’s leadership program. “Thirty individuals visit, and we give them a tour of the plant. Most of them had no clue what we do and how we do it, even those who grew up in the area. It’s really neat when we get to educate them,” Germann said. School kids also tour frequently. “We teach them a little about how we turn corn into animal feed and fuel for vehicles and carbonation for their soda pop.”
Right: Russ Germann, Josh Karaus, and Mike Cox work in POET Bioprocessing –Glenville facility.
POET – Glenville purchases 15 million bushels of corn from local farmers each year. The plant’s annual production capacity is 48 million gallons of bioethanol, 65,000 tons of distillers grain, and 7,000 tons of corn oil used for biodiesel. One unique product is the 76,000 tons of renewable carbon dioxide (bioCO2) it generates annually.
“Our plant was one of the first to have a carbon dioxide production facility,” explained Karaus. “We capture the carbon dioxide during fermentation, clean it up, make it cold, and sell it for beverage carbonation or food processing,” Karaus said. “We call it bioCO2 because unlike CO2 made from a natural gas or oil refinery, ours is made renewably.” About 260 to 280 tons of bioCO2 leaves the plant on about 12 refrigerated trucks per day. “We’ve been doing this since 2001, and to this day, POET is still adding this ability to its other plants.”
Pride in POET’s impact — no lesson required!
One thing that doesn’t need to be taught at POET Bioprocessing –Glenville is pride in the plant’s impact. “There are so many benefits to being in the bioethanol sector because what we do touches everyone in the area, whether we’re buying their corn, helping them with lower prices at the gas pump, or providing the carbonation in the beverages they drink. And it’s all getting used locally,” said Germann.
In addition, POET Bioprocessing – Glenville is committed to supporting its local communities both financially and with volunteer work. In the past year, the plant has given out more than $18,000 in grants to nine programs benefiting kids, firefighters, veterans, and more. “We helped our local Glenville and Emmons fire departments with some needed equipment and also helped a local garden club to beautify their community gardens a bit,” Germann said. In addition, a group of POET team members volunteered more than 20 hours of their time last summer to paint a gazebo in the Glenville town square that had recently been repaired. “We get a lot of requests for help and try to answer the call when we can because it’s the right thing to do.”
Left: Mike Cox, Josh Karaus, and Russ Germann at POET Bioprocessing – Glenville.
For Karaus, the pivot from aspiring chemistry teacher to a self-proclaimed POET “chemical science nerd” was a good one. With a grandpa and uncle who were farmers, he has liked being directly involved in agriculture for his entire career. And his college-age interests in instructing and influencing others have simply been redirected. “My role is to hire people who are going to turn into leaders. What I enjoy most is when we make a good hiring decision, and I can help that person learn and grow into their full potential.”
Cox agreed. What he loves about his role at POET is how it benefits agriculture and the local community. “What I like most about my job is seeing how much POET contributes to society and what we give out. Everything here is recycled and reused. It’s great. Nothing goes to waste — we use all parts of the corn kernel. When I go to the gas pumps and bioethanol is in the fuel, or see someone crack open a soda made with CO2, I feel a part of everybody’s lives. It gives me a sense of pride in what I do.”
Fueling a new era of the bioeconomy.
Sometimes, You’re an Extra
By Scott Johnson, A Thinker of Thoughts (and POET Data Systems Administrator)
It was my freshman year of college. Homecoming. Our football team was facing a fierce rival. I stood on the field, facing the crowd. Fans were on the edges of their seats. Possibly because it was bitterly cold, and the metal bleachers were like sitting on a block of ice. Regardless, the frigid fans were ready for us to wow them. Our marching band was a pretty big deal. (Yes, I was in the band, not on the football team. Don’t act so surprised.)
We stood frozen at attention (no pun intended), waiting to begin our show. An icy wind whipped through the stadium. I attempted to wiggle the valves on my trumpet to keep my fingers loose — but the valves were stuck. Frozen solid. If you are unfamiliar with how a trumpet works, know that you push the three buttons in various patterns to play different notes. My part, indeed, required several different notes.
Before I could process my predicament, the drum major waved his hands, and off we went. The band (minus one frozen trumpet) burst into powerful song. I marched along to the intricate movements. But since I was holding a now useless prop, I became an irrelevant extra in the season’s most important performance.
An unflattering, gender-neutral marching band uniform looks perfectly reasonable if you’re playing an instrument. Sans functional instrument, I was just a weirdo in a band uniform. I looked like a 1700s French war general wielding a fake sword. (Why are marching band uniforms so ugly anyway? So no one is tempted to steal them? That apparently works for bowling shoes and the Chrysler PT Cruiser.)
My self-centered reflections quickly faded. Without the sound of my own trumpet dominating my consciousness, I was able to absorb the sounds of the melodious army around me. Their music was beautiful, dynamic, and forceful. Despite practicing the routine for weeks, this was the first time I was able to truly appreciate their collective genius.
On the final booming note, the crowd rose to a standing ovation. They clubbed their insulated mittens together in applause and roared their approval. A chill went down my spine as I soaked in the breathtaking performance from my bandmates.
The football team went on to win the frigid homecoming game. And legend has it (a legend I just made up now) that the inspiring band performance ignited an electric second-half atmosphere, pushing the team to victory.
Sometimes, we are the star of the show. But sometimes, we are just an extra. We’re not always meant to toot our own horn — frozen valves or not. Sometimes, our job is to become the humble support system that allows our teammates to shine. When we quiet our own voices, we can finally hear the beautiful music of others. No matter how small our contribution, it’s a privilege to be part of their success.
Alternate moral of the story: I don’t know who needs to hear this, but if it’s cold enough for trumpet valves to freeze, it’s too cold for the marching band.
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