NCERC

EDWARDSVILLE - The National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (NCERC at SIUE) hosted the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Program Class of 2020’s meeting last month.

As the Foundation that oversees the premier leadership program in Illinois, the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation (IALF) has provided for and strengthened agricultural leadership since its founding in 1981. Candidates, aged 25 to 49, are selected based on demonstrated leadership activities and potential, commitment to learning, and accountability to the Illinois and United States agricultural industry.

There are 30 participants in the two-year program with careers varying from sales and grain marketing to finance and farming.

NCERC Executive Director John Caupert presented to the group, providing an overview of the Center and its capabilities. Participants then had the opportunity to tour the entire facility in groups led by NCERC staff. The tours covered NCERC’s Fermentation and Analytical Laboratories, Fermentation Suite, Pilot Plant and Siemens SIMIT laboratory.

Industry experts also presented to the group during their visit. Jim Bauman, Vice President of Market Development for the National Corn Growers Association and Kelly Davis, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for the Renewable Fuels Association led discussions about the current state of the ethanol and agriculture industries.

The IALF strives to provide participants with the necessary experience and education to succeed in leading the agricultural industry through the 21^st century. The IALF’s mission is noticeably evident in the graduates of this program. The IALF has served nearly 500 men and women from every region of Illinois and from every facet of Illinois agriculture.

About the NCERC
The NCERC is a nationally recognized research center dedicated to the development and commercialization of biofuels, specialty chemicals and other renewable compounds. The Center’s fully functional dry grind pilot plant and laboratories are equipped with advanced biofuels capabilities including corn fractionation, pretreatment, and a fermentation suite with 5, 30, 150 and 1500L scale-up. Facilities are staffed by industry veterans with more than 100 years of collective experience in fermentation and biofuels production. This knowledgeable team has the flexibility and expertise to design and carry out projects in any region of the advanced biofuels or specialty chemicals space.  For more information, contact Courtney Breckenridge, (618) 659-6737 ext. 230, cbreckenridge@ethanolresearch.com, or visit http://www.ethanolresearch.com.