Twenty-five students from Tracy Area High School recently toured Highwater Ethanol to get a better understanding of clean Minnesota-produced renewable energy.

During the two-hour-long tour, the students toured the various processes of ethanol production at Highwater Ethanol, which delivered 59.42 million gallons of ethanol in 2015. 

"The opportunity to host Tracy Area High School for this tour was fantastic for the students as well as Highwater Ethanol employees.

"By sharing our knowledge of the ethanol industry and the agriculture industry, we hope to have an impact on these students as they look forward to continuing their education and eventually head into their respective working careers," said Brian Kletscher, CEO of Highwater
Ethanol. 

The students, comprising of freshmen to seniors, toured Highwater Ethanol's administrative office, water treatment process, incoming grain grading and handling, ethanol loadout, ethanol process facility, energy center, dried distiller grain production and storage.

"We also informed the students of the different job opportunities available in the ethanol industry and the related agricultural industry," Kletscher said.

The tour was organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, a non-profit trade organization that represents the ethanol industry in Minnesota. Highwater Ethanol is a member of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.

"With these tours, we are able to educate students on the importance of a homegrown renewable fuel and how it continues to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions," said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.

Highwater Ethanol began operations in Lamberton in August 2009. It currently has 41 full time employees. 

Paul Skoglund, agriculture educator at Tracy Area High School, accompanied his students during the tour.

"Ethanol is such an important industry in this area—from the production of the corn, to the workers producing the product, to the transportation of the product, to the consumer using it. 

"It is an important part of our economy the students need to learn about," he said.