Teachers from a Minnesota Department of Agriculture program that toured Guardian Energy July 31 are looking at incorporating renewable energy production into their respective curricula.

Twenty-one teachers from the department’s Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom program took part in a 75-minute tour of Guardian Energy to get an overview of the role science plays in ethanol production and its importance to Minnesota’s agriculture industry.

“Our teachers are now inspired to bring their students to an ethanol plant and to use the ideas, examples and other knowledge gained from today’s tour within their curricula throughout the school year,” said Sue Knott, an education specialist for Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom.

The tour—organized by the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MN Biofuels)—was part of a Teacher Day Camp hosted by Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom and Farmamerica in Waseca.

The Teacher Day Camp aims to provide kindergarten through 12th grade educators a first-hand look into the world of agriculture.

“We were delighted to host the Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom teachers at our facility and provide them with a first-hand look at how clean Minnesota-grown renewable energy is produced.

“This great educational opportunity allowed our staff to interact with educators to showcase how local ethanol production enhances our rural economies, improves our state air quality and expands our energy independence,” said Jeanne McCaherty, CEO of Guardian Energy.

During the tour, the teachers learned about incoming grain grading, grain handling, liquefaction, fermentation, distillation, distiller grain drying, corn oil separation, product storage and product shipment.

“This is the first year Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom has included an ethanol plant tour in their Teacher Day Camp and we look forward to organizing more plant tours for educators,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director at MN Biofuels.

The Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom program is a public—private partnership between the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation.