NEIGHBORLY INSPIRATION

Living in small town South Dakota, neighbors start to be regarded as family. And family is exactly what Jerry and Janet Lehman have become to POET Biorefining - Groton. Long-time residents of Groton, this couple finds themselves friends to nearly the entire POET team.

It isn't out of the ordinary to find Janet's baked goods throughout the office or to see Jerry moving snow around the plant and lending a helping hand with his equipment. Always first in line to help out, these two are the ideal neighbors. But in 2008, Jerry was diagnosed with cancer and the roles have reversed. The POET team has helped out the couple in any way that they can.

While Jerry continues to endure chemo treatments, you can always find him with a ready smile and positive attitude. Showing the world that, even at its worst, there is always room for a smile. POET Biorefining - Groton would like to thank them for their optimism and years of friendship.

CONGRATULATIONS!

The Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has named the methane pipeline project of POET and the Sioux Falls Landfill their 2009 Project of the Year in recognition of superior innovation, realization of environmental and economic benefits, and achievement in advancing landfill gas energy projects.

Since March 2009, a solid waste fuel boiler at POET Biorefining - Chancellor (S.D.) captures and burns the methane gas brought to the facility through a 10- mile low-pressure pipeline from the nearby Sioux Falls Regional Sanitary Landfill. Along with the wood waste burned in the waste boiler, the two sources now offset as much as 90 percent of the plant's process steam needs currently met using natural gas. They are expected to replace 90 percent of the plant's total energy needs, as additional wells are added at the landfill and methane production increases.

Last year, the project was also the recipient of 2009 Excellence Award from the Solid Waste Association of North America.

HEROES OF WAR

Back row: Jim Wolff (Army), Mel Tiffany (Army), Larry Battazzi (Navy), Jay Faas (Army) Front row: Gene Williams (Army), Keith Halfwassen (Air Force). Sepearte photo: Bob Walston (Air Force)

Independence. This word strikes a cord for several POET team members. On a day-to-day basis team members fight to reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil.

POET Biorefining - Jewell, Iowa veterans were honored in a keepsake edition of their local newspaper called Heroes of War. They fought for their country and their beliefs in freedom in democracy. And they continue to fight today on a different battlefield.

POET Biorefining - Jewell salutes our American Heroes and honors all who have made sacrifices for our country.

MOLDING THE FUTURE OF BIOFUELS

Successfully partnering with Windom Education and Collaborative Center (WECC), POET Biorefining - Bingham Lake, Minn. along with other local business leaders have acquired a $78,000 grant for talent development. The grant from the Renewable Energy Marketplace-Alliance (NMREM) will be used to refine the unique skill set needed for those entering the biofuels job force.

POET Biorefining in Bingham Lake has committed to sponsoring this program through the planning and implementation process. They will provide support for onsite welding training and will be conducting plant tours at POET locations in Bingham Lake and nearby Lake Crystal.

A few lucky interns will also be awarded the opportunity to work onsite at the plant in both technician and boiler operator internships.

Ideally, individuals who successfully complete portions of the training will continue to pursue a career in biofuels and would have superior qualifications for permanent positions. A true win-win situation.

SEEING IS BELIEVING

When it comes to the ethanol process, a good visual is the best way to explain how the corn kernel becomes fuel. From students to influential Missourians, POET Biorefining - Macon, Missouri lead several interested groups on tours in the past few months. A few of those groups included:

Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow (A LOT), a group of young professionals working in some facet of the agriculture industry in Missouri including state government, banking, seed companies, implement companies, insurance, academia, agri-business and state politicians.

Leadership Missouri, a group of ranking officials from city and state governments as well as several key state legislators.

Steaks Alive II Beef Tour, a group of 52 Missouri cattlemen. They were able to hear from scientists within POET Nutrition making them aware of the attributes of feeding Dakota Gold dried distillers grains.

Greater Missouri Women's Leadership Challenge, a group of high-ranking women from across Missouri -- from academia, state government, banking, prominent agri-businesses as well as state legislators.