December 19, 2024 • 26 mins
In this insightful episode of the Whole Grain Podcast, host Jim Lenz sits down with Robert White, Vice President of Industry Relations and Market Development at the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). With decades of experience in ethanol market development and a deep connection to the grain industry, Robert brings a wealth of knowledge about the transformative role of renewable fuels.
Together, Jim and Robert explore the evolving landscape of biofuels, focusing on ethanol’s significance for corn, soybeans, and sorghum producers. They discuss how over 40% of U.S. corn production is directed toward ethanol and what that means for grain handling and processing facilities. The conversation also delves into the emergence of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), its potential as a game-changer for the biofuels sector, and the opportunities it presents for grain industry stakeholders.
Robert shares actionable insights on tackling persistent misconceptions about ethanol, the importance of advocacy in shaping policy, and the global market’s growing appetite for U.S.-produced biofuels. Listeners will walk away with a better understanding of how to position their operations for future success and support the growing demand for renewable fuels.
Key Topics Covered:
- The current state of the ethanol industry and its impact on grain markets.
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and its potential to disrupt both biofuels and grain markets.
- Strategies for grain professionals to increase awareness and advocate for renewable fuels.
- The role of state and federal policies in shaping the future of biofuels.
- Global growth opportunities and the U.S. role in meeting international demand for ethanol.
Guest Expert: Robert White is the Vice President of Industry Relations at the Renewable Fuels Association. With a career spanning decades in ethanol advocacy and education, Robert is a leading voice in renewable fuel market development and an advocate for its benefits to farmers, grain handlers, and the broader agriculture sector.
Important Links:
- Learn more about the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA): www.ethanolrfa.org
- Veterans for Renewable Fuels: https://ethanolrfa.org/veterans
- Explore educational resources on biofuels:
Connect with GEAPS: Stay informed about future episodes and learn more about GEAPS:
Grain Elevator and Processing Society champions, connects and serves the global grain industry and its members. Be sure to visit GEAPS’ website to learn how you can grow your network, support your personal professional development, and advance your career. Thank you for listening to another episode of GEAPS’ Whole Grain podcast.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (00:03):
This Whole Grain episode may spark new
ideas and will certainly broadenyour perspective on the vital
connections between grain andenergy.
Let's get started.
Podcast.
(00:24):
My name is Jim Lenz, your hostand producer of the show, and
director of global education andtraining at GEAPS, where the
mission of the Grain Elevatorand Processing Society is to
champion, connect and serve theglobal grain industry and our
members.
At GEAPS we work to be theglobal grain community and
thought leader for the grainindustry, which feeds and fuels
the world.
Thanks for listening today andfor joining the network of
thousands of other grainhandling and processing
(00:45):
professionals across the globetaking strategic steps to grow
professionally.
The Whole Grain Show will giveyou the competitive advantage to
win at work so you can makemore of an impact.
Before we continue, here is abrief message from a sponsor of
today's episode.
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Our special guest in today'sepisode is Robert White.
Robert is a Senior VicePresident, industry Relations
and Market Development at theRenewable Fuels Association.
(01:51):
The Renewable Fuels Association, or RFA, is the leading trade
association for America'sethanol industry.
Collectively representing themajority of US ethanol industry
leaders and supporters, RFA isworking to drive expanded demand
for American-made renewablefuels and bioproducts worldwide.
Robert White leads RFA'svarious consumer education and
(02:14):
marketing efforts.
In addition to strengtheningRFA's visibility and managing
its active market developmentteam.
Robert works with petroleummarketers and retailers, state
and federal agencies, commercialfleets and individual consumers
to increase awareness about thebenefits of ethanol and
encourage greater developmentand use of renewable fuels.
Widely recognized as an experton ethanol-related issues and
(02:36):
the variations betweenethanol-blended fuels, robert
frequently provides guidance andtechnical information to
ethanol industry leaders.
Robert White brings invaluableinsights into renewable fuels
and the critical role they playin our industry and beyond.
Whether you're curious about thefuture of biofuels or the
impact of ethanol in productionon grain markets, this episode
(02:56):
is for you.
Let's dive into theconversation.
All right, we are excited tobring in special guest Robert
White from RFA.
His expertise is in the ethanolmarket and development and has
(03:20):
a great connection to the grainindustry.
We are really excited aboutwhat is coming up here at our
GEAPS Exchange having a bigfocus on processing industry and
, Robert, you may see him onstage as a panelist there having
some great discussions.
Today we are going to betalking about all things
biofuels, including sustainableaviation fuel, saf and its
impact on the grain industry.
Robert White, thank you verymuch for making time in your day
(03:43):
to connect with Whole GrainPodcast listeners.
Of course.
Thanks for the opportunity.
Now we have listeners on thisshow who come from a variety of
backgrounds within the grainindustry, who have a variety of
levels of experience.
So just to help support bigpicture-wise, could you tell our
audience why ethanol is a winfor all?
Robert White, RFA (04:00):
Sure.
So when I came into theindustry almost 25 years ago, we
were looking at commodityprices, in particular corn
prices that were sub-productioncost right.
So we were seeing a lot ofgovernment intervention and
keeping farmers afloat and thegoal was to look at value-added
agriculture.
And there were many differentapproaches out there.
But what we started to see wasmany groups of farmers across
(04:22):
the Midwest Corn Belt looking atwhat would happen if we build
an ethanol plant.
Would it change the basis?
Would it raise the overall costof grain, not only for them but
for all farmers across thecountry?
And when we started looking atfeasibility studies, that's
exactly what they said.
And so you saw many communitiesover 200, in fact start to pool
money together.
(04:42):
Some were taking money fromplaces they probably shouldn't
have been, but all in all we hada lot of growth in the ethanol
industry.
It was by the corn farmerstrying to help themselves out,
make the corn industryprofitable, and in turn you saw
that trickle down effect overthe last 20 years.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (04:58):
That's a great introductory background, the
reason for the support of it.
Now let's kind of look at thecurrent landscape of ethanol.
How would you describe thecurrent state of ethanol and
what key trends are driving itsevolution currently?
Robert White, RFA (05:13):
Well, the state of the ethanol industry is
very strong right now.
We've seen what we expect.
We've got a few weeks left inthe year, but we expect record
exports.
We expect record corn grind andmaybe even record production
overall, and that's really beendriven by several things.
We've been looking at carbonintensity and reduction of
greenhouse gases these pastseveral years, and so ethanol
(05:34):
has always had that ability andalways had that benefit, all at
a cost savings where most ofthose avenues of approach
actually increase cost or costyou more.
And then you add, on top ofthat strong policy, strong RFS
renewable fuel standard.
The past few years, the lack ofsmall refinery exemptions, a lot
of political support in theheadwinds and in those growing
(05:55):
exports have made the ethanolpretty strong.
We are currently going througha new phase as we speak, with a
new election and a new presidentreturning and President Trump.
Of course there were some upsand downs and so we're looking
at not only getting Congress ina place where we want them, with
new elected officials and, ofcourse, new supportive staff,
but also the administration, asthose cabinet positions start to
(06:17):
fill out.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (06:17):
Excellent.
You know one of the trends, Ithink, finding more and more the
byproducts of processingindustry, like for ethanol
production, for example.
But can you touch on some ofthose trends you're seeing in
byproducts of the processingindustry?
Robert White, RFA (06:32):
Yeah, absolutely.
When I started it was basicallythree equal parts coming out of
the one kernel, third, ethanol.
Third, distillers grains, whichis the high protein, livestock
feed, and CO2.
And what we saw over the pastcouple couple decades is the
need to diversify.
So if ethanol markets are down,what can we do to enhance the
co-products or byproducts andmake sure they're valuable and
(06:55):
can offset some of those lowermarket times?
And so you've seen ethanolproduction facilities starting
to spin off corn oil, corndistillers oil.
Now you're seeing somefractionation at the front so
you can make cellulosic ethanolout of that fiber.
And you're seeing somefacilities looking at biodiesel
or even renewable diesel makingthat from the oil.
(07:17):
So you're seeing a lot of more.
Biorefineries is maybe a betterway to encompass it today, but
by and large it's trying to doeven more with the same amount
of corn and I think that'spretty valuable and should be
exciting for those listening,because while the corn industry,
the corn production numbers,continue to grow, we're doing
all we can to absorb more ofthat and grind more.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (07:39):
Thank you, great response.
Another thing just for peopleto understand.
Not everybody may know, butwhen a kernel of corn comes into
an ethanol plant, what is theduration of time between when it
turns into ethanol?
Robert White, RFA (07:53):
Yeah, so the duration of time from when a
kernel hits the hammer mill andcomes out the back end of
ethanol is usually just over acouple of days.
Some facilities have differenttimeframes based on the
fermentation process that theyuse and how quickly logistics
picks up that ethanol.
But you're seeing a very quickturnaround and while you're
seeing almost 40% well, actuallythere'll be a little over 40%
(08:15):
of the corn crop should go intoethanol production this year.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (08:19):
So we're seeing a change in market for grains.
What role do grain-basedbiofuels play in this evolution,
especially for corn, soybeansand sorghum producers?
Robert White, RFA (08:30):
Yeah.
So I think the big note is justthat additional market.
So you have bases that haveflipped from where they were
before.
The ethanol industry expanded,and that's true of corn and
sorghum going into ethanol.
But on the soybeans sidethey've seen the same response,
because you're competing forthose acres and the value of all
products were grew, and so youhad not only on the soybean side
(08:52):
, you had the biodiesel and nowrenewable diesel.
We were also competing indifferent fuel markets, but we
were competing for the samegrain and same acres in the end,
and so I think we'll continueto see that.
Obviously, commodity prices area little lower than most would
like, and it's important to notethat the ethanol industry
profitability is usually higherwhen the corn is above
production value, and part ofthat is because corn tends to
(09:15):
chase petroleum in the marketversus ethanol chasing petroleum
.
So higher corn prices do notmean that the ethanol industry
is less profitable.
In some cases we're even more.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (09:26):
Well, very interesting.
Thank you for that insight.
I'd like to turn theconversation a little bit to SAF
, Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
Saf is generating significantinterest right now.
Why is it seen as such a gamechanger for both the biofuels
and grain industries?
Robert White, RFA (09:44):
Well, we're always looking at abilities to
extend the market, whetherthat's here or abroad.
We've obviously been fightingto expand regular gasoline to
15% for well over a decade now,still fighting the political
fight, still fighting someregulatory battles as well.
That gas tank, that fuel tankis shrinking, whether it's fuel
economy standards or someembracement of EVs.
(10:07):
We know that tank is going toget smaller.
So if we cannot increase thepercentage of ethanol in that
tank, we have to look elsewhere,and sustainable aviation fuel
is a perfect example.
The airlines themselves havesaid corn ethanol is their
easiest and most liked pathwayand it's not using ethanol as
sustainable aviation fuel.
It's using ethanol as afeedstock to make the
(10:30):
sustainable aviation fuel.
And the beauty for us andeveryone listening is it takes
1.6 to 1.7 gallons of ethanol tomake one gallon of SAF and the
lofty challenge right now is 3billion gallons by 2030.
So you're looking at well over5 billion gallons of additional
demand.
In this case it could be cornethanol and if that were the
(10:53):
case, we would have to start notonly sustaining production and
expanding within our internal orexisting facilities, but we
probably have to build newfacilities and that should be
music to everyone's ears and, atthe same time, hopefully reduce
the climate change burden ofthe airlines with a cleaner
burning product that we can makeover and over again each year.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (11:15):
Wow, that is exciting.
I was just going to ask youwhat are some of those biggest
opportunities and challenges forgrain processors and handlers
in this new market.
You kind of touched on that.
Anything else you want to add?
Robert White, RFA (11:26):
No, I think what we're going to see is
predominantly the SAF locations.
They're either going to beco-located in some fashion with
the existing ethanol producersor they'll be at the end of the
airport pipeline where they taketheir fuel into the facilities.
So, by and large, I think thegrain facilities will not have a
lot of impact based on SAF, orwhere those SAF facilities are
(11:47):
built, we will be using a lotmore of that product, should
that come to fruition.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (11:52):
Wow, neat.
With sustainable aviationfuels' potential to disrupt
markets, how can grain industrystakeholders position themselves
to benefit?
And also, are there anypartnerships or innovations
already making an impact rightnow?
Robert White, RFA (12:08):
Yeah, we're starting to see some of the
sustainable aviation fuelleaders.
We actually have them in ourmembership at the Renewable
Fuels Association.
So we're kind of standingshoulder to shoulder in this
fight to get SAF to the finishline and at the same time, make
sure that corn ethanol canparticipate On the grain
handling side.
I think it's just going to benot a lot of change because it's
(12:28):
going to be what they'reexpecting.
There's going to be more graincoming out of the fields,
there's going to be more grainprocessed at the production
facilities that are existing orthat will be built, and then
eventually the ethanol will makeits way to the SAF facility.
So I think it's what everyoneknows, that there's going to be
bigger crops down the road andwe're going to have to have the
logistics and the facilities tostore them and to move them.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (12:52):
There's great increased awareness on the
importance of this industry.
What misconceptions aboutethanol still persist in your
mind, and how can grainprofessionals help correct them?
Robert White, RFA (13:05):
Well, I like to say that we're all in this
together.
Them.
Well, I like to say that we'reall in this together.
If ethanol is successful, thengrain handling, grain processing
, the farmers and ag in generalis going to be better off.
And so we have the ones that wealways hear.
The most commonly is food versusfuel.
You know we're taking food outof humans' mouths when anyone in
the industry understands whatnumber two corn is and that all
that we use for ethanol in theethanol production process is a
(13:28):
starch and I always make thejoke as I look around our
waistlines we have plenty ofstarch in this country, we're
not deficient in any fashion andso I think it's important to
note that the food that thatnumber two corn would have been
used for still exists.
It comes up in the back end asdistiller's grains and that's
still fed to the same livestockit would have in the beginning.
And then you go from there andit's still fed to the same
(13:50):
livestock it would have in thebeginning.
And then you go from there andit's whether it's cheaper to
make.
Is it still subsidized?
And, of course, the subsidyanswer is no.
That ended well over a decadeago and it just goes on from
there.
Is it really important?
Is it really renewable?
Is it better to have domesticfuel supply?
And I think we can all agree,especially as we see things heat
up around the world again, thathaving domestic energy, having
(14:11):
domestic fuel supplies, is goingto be important and maybe more
important going into the future.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (14:15):
Great insight.
Again, thank you so much.
How can Jeep's Green Elevatorand Processing Society we as an
organization support anawareness campaign for biofuels?
Robert White, RFA (14:26):
Well, I think you've already started.
I mean, this is a good example.
We plan to get more engaged.
We'll be at GEAPS Exchange inKansas City coming up in
February, but I think it'simportant that the advocacy goes
all the way down through yoursystem and even ends up in the
farmers, and so when they'rehaving those coffee shop talks
and they're talking with theirfellow farmers or someone that's
(14:46):
maybe on the fence I mean,whether it's E10, e15, e85, or
just a simple value to not onlythe corn farmer but agriculture
in general I think it'simportant to have at least a
cliff notes and so you can havethat conversation.
And we have that and we'rehopeful that we can continue to
work on any kind of advocacythrough Jeeps.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (15:05):
Thank you so much.
We appreciate that Workingtogether of advocacy through
Jeeps.
Thank you so much.
We appreciate that Workingtogether, looking forward to
seeing you and others in theprocessing industry at Exchange
2025 and beyond.
Now, advocacy is key to marketgrowth.
What role do state and federalpolicies play in shaping the
future of biofuels and how canindustry professionals in your
mind engage effectively?
Robert White, RFA (15:27):
Well, it's always important that those in
agriculture remain loud, if youwill, with their elected
officials, whether that's stateor federal, and most of the
reason, or the logical reasonbehind that, is they're not from
those areas anymore.
We're seeing more and moredisconnect from rural America to
our elected officials, andthat's true at state and
definitely at federal levels,and so it's important to
(15:48):
advocate for agriculture, it'simportant to advocate for
biofuels and, in this case,ethanol, specifically to make
sure they understand the impactback home, and the best way to
do that is through thosepersonal experiences, those
personal stories.
I'm from a town of 3,200 inKansas, and the biggest thing
that ever happened to that townsince the railroad was, in fact,
the ethanol plant that wasbuilt there 20 years ago.
(16:09):
So it's exciting to see.
I've lived it firsthand, andmany of the listeners have too,
and that's what they need torelay.
So if you have a champion onethanol, that's one of your
elected officials.
Thank them for all they've doneand what they'll continue to do
, and, if not, please help themget educated, including their
staff.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (16:29):
That's interesting.
You said that.
I mean, I spend time working ina small community and one of
the biggest things that'shappened again in the last 15
years was an ethanol plant thathas been there.
So we're seeing that more andmore, of course, and we'll
continue to see that.
Now let's take a look aboutwell beyond the US.
How do you see the globalmarket for biofuels evolving,
(16:49):
and what role will US grainproducers play?
Robert White, RFA (16:54):
Yeah, it's going gangbusters as we speak.
Like I said, we are going tosee record exports of ethanol
this year.
Close to 2 billion gallons ofethanol will be exported this
year.
And, of course, our number onemarket is Canada.
On tariffs, and not just forCanada, but will we have
(17:21):
reciprocal tariffs for Brazil?
And what will the rest of theworld look like?
And we're seeing strong policyaround the globe to enhance
biofuels and ethanolspecifically, just look at India
.
India has a billion and a halfpeople and they have an E20 or a
20% ethanol mandate by 2030.
And they do not have the corn,they do not have the ethanol
production.
They're going to need theUnited States to do that and if
(17:41):
we provide that directly, great.
If we have to backfill othermarkets that other countries
fill, then so be it.
But it's going to be big storieslike that and policy changes
around the world that are goingto enhance that, and it's really
a couple things going on.
It's the climate conversation,lowering the greenhouse gases,
and then, at the same time,ethanol is still a cheaper
(18:02):
product than traditionalgasoline.
So it's kind of a win-win forall of these countries, whether
they are producing the ethanolyet today or they plan to in the
future and we're starting tosee other countries, like Japan
and China, start to revisitthese conversations.
So the global market is hugeand it's pretty exciting if
you're sitting back and hopingto see that conversations.
So the global market is hugeand it's pretty exciting if
you're sitting back and hopingto see that grow.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (18:21):
Yeah, I was just about to say that I mean,
that is pretty exciting in theglobal market.
I did not know that about India, and other countries are
certainly considering that, andso that they aren't big
producers, those grains have tocome from somewhere.
So, oh boy, talk about dynamicand evolving on the landscape of
green production, greenhandling and green processing.
Wow, all levels of the supplychain, for sure.
(18:45):
Are there specific regions orcountries where US produced
ethanol is gaining momentum,maybe more than another?
Robert White, RFA (18:53):
Well, I mean, some of these markets are still
relatively small, so they canmove quite quickly up and down.
As I mentioned earlier, canadaby far is our number one
importer of US ethanol.
And then you go around the worldand it covers the globe, and
that's exciting because whatwe're seeing is more adoption,
maybe in a case like India, aswe just mentioned, at a quicker
(19:15):
pace than we're embracing itourselves just mentioned, at a
quicker pace than we'reembracing it ourselves, and so
there's always room for growthhere in the US, to again educate
our elected officials, ourregulators, to make sure they
understand the importance,because in some countries around
the world they've already seenthat and are moving faster than
we are, and so we remainvigilant with our export
initiatives and making sure thatwe're on those trade missions.
(19:36):
We're hosting a group fromJapan just next week and it's
one of those things where wehave to make sure that when they
start to look at what is ourbest approach, moving forward,
is that electric vehicles?
Is that flex fuel vehicles?
Is that ethanol?
Is it something else?
So we're right there at thetable making sure they
understand the opportunities andour ability to fulfill that
(19:56):
demand.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (19:57):
Wow, you're right.
What a role you and yourorganization play in the greater
grain industry, for sure.
How long have you been in theethanol?
Robert White, RFA (20:07):
or biofuels industry.
Robert Well, I came in thesummer of 2000, so approaching
year 25, as we speak and I'vebeen at the RFA since 2008.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (20:15):
Wow, exciting, Great experience.
So, given that, as a contexthere for my next question, what
excites you?
You know big picture, whatexcites you most about the
future of biofuels?
Robert White, RFA (20:30):
particularly in relation to the green
industry.
Yeah, I mean, I think thebiggest thing is these new use
opportunities.
So we're looking at I mentioned, we talked about SAF, right
Sustainable Aviation Fuel hugemarket.
Even if we're a small piece ofthat overall demand and supply
that demand that will be gamechanging for the ethanol
industry.
But we have numerous others.
There are companies that arewanting to use ethanol to make
hydrogen.
There are companies usingethanol today to make renewable
(20:51):
chemicals.
We have projects ongoing rightnow to use ethanol as a diesel
replacement in diesel enginesand we even have research
ongoing right now at PurdueUniversity that's combining
ethanol with biodiesel withoutany sort of conversion in
existing diesel engines.
So all of these markets arehundreds of millions of gallons,
if not billions of gallons each, and if any of them come to
(21:15):
fruition and get some traction,then we're really moving this
industry into the future and itdoesn't have to solely rely on
the fuel tank here in the UnitedStates or abroad.
And so that's exciting becauseonce we establish those new uses
, then other countries aroundthe world will say oh, we can
make renewable chemicals, we canreplace diesel, we can maybe
(21:35):
use ethanol and make hydrogenall these other opportunities so
we can maybe use ethanol andmake hydrogen, all these other
opportunities, and it just youknow, all tides rise, all boats,
and that trickles back all theway down to the corn farmer and
all the logistical demand andneeds in between and it's going
to be pretty exciting.
I'm liking it to the.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (21:57):
Wild West that we saw in the mid-2000s when all
these ethanol plants were beingfundraised and ultimately built
.
Robert White, thank you verymuch for your service.
Could you tell a little bitabout your background and then
your move into the ethanolindustry?
And we both know bothorganizations know GEAPS and
your organization that we arelooking for curious people
working for people who aredisciplined and exciting about
(22:17):
opportunities and there areopportunities in this industry.
So you can speak to all ingeneral, but also certainly
would like you to address thosemaybe coming from the armed
forces and looking for someopportunities.
Please tell our listeners whythis might be an industry they
may want to pursue.
Robert White, RFA (22:33):
Yeah, so I've really only done two things in
my background since graduatinghigh school, and that was
joining the US Army, served fourof my seven years of active
duty overseas and then had twoyears each in the National Guard
and Reserves, and once Ifinished up at Kansas State in
ag economics, I entered theethanol industry.
So it's a very welcomingindustry to veterans and service
(22:55):
members, and I always like totalk about that.
16 to 17 percent of all of ouremployees in the US ethanol
industry are veterans, andthat's the highest across any
energy sector, includingpetroleum.
It almost doubles petroleum.
The one thing I like to thinkabout is there are so many
veterans that come from ruralAmerica.
It's only natural that theygravitate to the ethanol
(23:17):
industry because of where itsfootprint is found, and so
that's exciting for us.
We even have an initiative atthe RFA called the Veterans for
Renewable Fuels.
It's a group where veteransthat are somehow connected to
the ethanol industry can gettogether.
We do have some fun, but it'sthere for times of need as much
as anything, and so we welcomeveterans with open arms.
(23:39):
The RFA itself is 30% veteranOur CEO, Jeff Cooper, and our
director of EH&S, Justin Schultz, who actually is still in the
reserve and just got promoted,or will be getting promoted, to
lieutenant colonel.
So we're a proud bunch amongstveterans and we welcome them
with open arms in the ethanolindustry because they've proven
themselves quite well.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (24:00):
Wow, excellent, great words of wisdom right
there and showing appreciationfor those who have served, and I
will leave a link for yourorganization and what you just
referenced there in thatsentiment.
So thank you so much.
Wow, that is so exciting.
I learned such a great changeand dynamic ever evolving a
market and I've also learnedthat there is so much research,
(24:22):
emphasis on multi-uses of grainsand grain processing and
product use and productimplementation.
That's really exciting andthere's a lot of people behind
it and there's a lot of greatorganizations like your
organization.
Any final thoughts or recaps orkey takeaways for listeners of
the Whole Grain Podcast beforewe conclude?
Robert White, RFA (24:41):
Well, as I said earlier, just become an
advocate.
This is important to all of usthat are listening, and if you
need more information, you canalways visit our website.
It's ethanolrfa.
org.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (24:52):
Perfect.
Robert White, thank you forbeing a guest in the Whole Grain
Podcast On behalf of the wholeGEAPS organization.
We are so excited to get you onthe show.
Thank you Well.
Thanks for having me and we'llsee you in Kansas City.
Thanks for joining us on thisepisode of the Whole Grain
Podcast.
A special thank you to ourguest, robert White, for sharing
his expertise and passion forrenewable fuels.
(25:13):
We hope this discussion hassparked new ideas and broadened
your perspective on the vitalconnections between grain and
energy.
Don't forget to subscribe to theWhole Grain Podcast and share
this episode with yourcolleagues.
For more industry insights andupdates, stay tuned to the Whole
Grain Podcast.
You can catch all the pastWhole Grain Podcast episodes by
going to jeepscom slash wholegrain.
(25:35):
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Hit the subscribe button so youcan catch up on past episodes
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We think the entire grainhandling and processing industry
for doing your part to feed andfuel the world, as well as
(25:56):
facilitate thousands of otherproducts that stem from grain.
Your work is important.
Stay informed and connected byvisiting www.
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com.
That's G-E-A-P-S dot com.
The Whole Grain Podcast offersa terrific opportunity to
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If you and your organizationwant to sponsor an episode and
be a featured guest, or if youwould like us to help you create
(26:18):
and place an audio commercialon and for a future episode of
the show, please reach out to me.
Jim Lenz, director of globaleducation and training at GEAPS,
the grain elevator andprocessing society.
My email is James atjames@geaps.
com.
We look forward to connectingwith you.
Have yourself a great day andthanks for listening to Whole
(26:39):
Grain.
This Whole Grain episode may spark new
ideas and will certainly broadenyour perspective on the vital
connections between grain andenergy.
Let's get started.
Podcast.
(00:24):
My name is Jim Lenz, your hostand producer of the show, and
director of global education andtraining at GEAPS, where the
mission of the Grain Elevatorand Processing Society is to
champion, connect and serve theglobal grain industry and our
members.
At GEAPS we work to be theglobal grain community and
thought leader for the grainindustry, which feeds and fuels
the world.
Thanks for listening today andfor joining the network of
thousands of other grainhandling and processing
(00:45):
professionals across the globetaking strategic steps to grow
professionally.
The Whole Grain Show will giveyou the competitive advantage to
win at work so you can makemore of an impact.
Before we continue, here is abrief message from a sponsor of
today's episode.
Located in Bradford, Illinois,Macon Construction is a premier
hoop building constructioncompany for bulk commodities,
(01:06):
from engineering to concretework.
Macon Construction controlsmore aspects of the building
project, which allows them todeliver quality while meeting
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Come and visit them at theGEAPS Exchange or contact them
today at makongccom.
That's M-A-C-O-N-G-C dot com.
Our special guest in today'sepisode is Robert White.
Robert is a Senior VicePresident, industry Relations
and Market Development at theRenewable Fuels Association.
(01:51):
The Renewable Fuels Association, or RFA, is the leading trade
association for America'sethanol industry.
Collectively representing themajority of US ethanol industry
leaders and supporters, RFA isworking to drive expanded demand
for American-made renewablefuels and bioproducts worldwide.
Robert White leads RFA'svarious consumer education and
(02:14):
marketing efforts.
In addition to strengtheningRFA's visibility and managing
its active market developmentteam.
Robert works with petroleummarketers and retailers, state
and federal agencies, commercialfleets and individual consumers
to increase awareness about thebenefits of ethanol and
encourage greater developmentand use of renewable fuels.
Widely recognized as an experton ethanol-related issues and
(02:36):
the variations betweenethanol-blended fuels, robert
frequently provides guidance andtechnical information to
ethanol industry leaders.
Robert White brings invaluableinsights into renewable fuels
and the critical role they playin our industry and beyond.
Whether you're curious about thefuture of biofuels or the
impact of ethanol in productionon grain markets, this episode
(02:56):
is for you.
Let's dive into theconversation.
All right, we are excited tobring in special guest Robert
White from RFA.
His expertise is in the ethanolmarket and development and has
(03:20):
a great connection to the grainindustry.
We are really excited aboutwhat is coming up here at our
GEAPS Exchange having a bigfocus on processing industry and
, Robert, you may see him onstage as a panelist there having
some great discussions.
Today we are going to betalking about all things
biofuels, including sustainableaviation fuel, saf and its
impact on the grain industry.
Robert White, thank you verymuch for making time in your day
(03:43):
to connect with Whole GrainPodcast listeners.
Of course.
Thanks for the opportunity.
Now we have listeners on thisshow who come from a variety of
backgrounds within the grainindustry, who have a variety of
levels of experience.
So just to help support bigpicture-wise, could you tell our
audience why ethanol is a winfor all?
Robert White, RFA (04:00):
Sure.
So when I came into theindustry almost 25 years ago, we
were looking at commodityprices, in particular corn
prices that were sub-productioncost right.
So we were seeing a lot ofgovernment intervention and
keeping farmers afloat and thegoal was to look at value-added
agriculture.
And there were many differentapproaches out there.
But what we started to see wasmany groups of farmers across
(04:22):
the Midwest Corn Belt looking atwhat would happen if we build
an ethanol plant.
Would it change the basis?
Would it raise the overall costof grain, not only for them but
for all farmers across thecountry?
And when we started looking atfeasibility studies, that's
exactly what they said.
And so you saw many communitiesover 200, in fact start to pool
money together.
(04:42):
Some were taking money fromplaces they probably shouldn't
have been, but all in all we hada lot of growth in the ethanol
industry.
It was by the corn farmerstrying to help themselves out,
make the corn industryprofitable, and in turn you saw
that trickle down effect overthe last 20 years.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (04:58):
That's a great introductory background, the
reason for the support of it.
Now let's kind of look at thecurrent landscape of ethanol.
How would you describe thecurrent state of ethanol and
what key trends are driving itsevolution currently?
Robert White, RFA (05:13):
Well, the state of the ethanol industry is
very strong right now.
We've seen what we expect.
We've got a few weeks left inthe year, but we expect record
exports.
We expect record corn grind andmaybe even record production
overall, and that's really beendriven by several things.
We've been looking at carbonintensity and reduction of
greenhouse gases these pastseveral years, and so ethanol
(05:34):
has always had that ability andalways had that benefit, all at
a cost savings where most ofthose avenues of approach
actually increase cost or costyou more.
And then you add, on top ofthat strong policy, strong RFS
renewable fuel standard.
The past few years, the lack ofsmall refinery exemptions, a lot
of political support in theheadwinds and in those growing
(05:55):
exports have made the ethanolpretty strong.
We are currently going througha new phase as we speak, with a
new election and a new presidentreturning and President Trump.
Of course there were some upsand downs and so we're looking
at not only getting Congress ina place where we want them, with
new elected officials and, ofcourse, new supportive staff,
but also the administration, asthose cabinet positions start to
(06:17):
fill out.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (06:17):
Excellent.
You know one of the trends, Ithink, finding more and more the
byproducts of processingindustry, like for ethanol
production, for example.
But can you touch on some ofthose trends you're seeing in
byproducts of the processingindustry?
Robert White, RFA (06:32):
Yeah, absolutely.
When I started it was basicallythree equal parts coming out of
the one kernel, third, ethanol.
Third, distillers grains, whichis the high protein, livestock
feed, and CO2.
And what we saw over the pastcouple couple decades is the
need to diversify.
So if ethanol markets are down,what can we do to enhance the
co-products or byproducts andmake sure they're valuable and
(06:55):
can offset some of those lowermarket times?
And so you've seen ethanolproduction facilities starting
to spin off corn oil, corndistillers oil.
Now you're seeing somefractionation at the front so
you can make cellulosic ethanolout of that fiber.
And you're seeing somefacilities looking at biodiesel
or even renewable diesel makingthat from the oil.
(07:17):
So you're seeing a lot of more.
Biorefineries is maybe a betterway to encompass it today, but
by and large it's trying to doeven more with the same amount
of corn and I think that'spretty valuable and should be
exciting for those listening,because while the corn industry,
the corn production numbers,continue to grow, we're doing
all we can to absorb more ofthat and grind more.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (07:39):
Thank you, great response.
Another thing just for peopleto understand.
Not everybody may know, butwhen a kernel of corn comes into
an ethanol plant, what is theduration of time between when it
turns into ethanol?
Robert White, RFA (07:53):
Yeah, so the duration of time from when a
kernel hits the hammer mill andcomes out the back end of
ethanol is usually just over acouple of days.
Some facilities have differenttimeframes based on the
fermentation process that theyuse and how quickly logistics
picks up that ethanol.
But you're seeing a very quickturnaround and while you're
seeing almost 40% well, actuallythere'll be a little over 40%
(08:15):
of the corn crop should go intoethanol production this year.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (08:19):
So we're seeing a change in market for grains.
What role do grain-basedbiofuels play in this evolution,
especially for corn, soybeansand sorghum producers?
Robert White, RFA (08:30):
Yeah.
So I think the big note is justthat additional market.
So you have bases that haveflipped from where they were
before.
The ethanol industry expanded,and that's true of corn and
sorghum going into ethanol.
But on the soybeans sidethey've seen the same response,
because you're competing forthose acres and the value of all
products were grew, and so youhad not only on the soybean side
(08:52):
, you had the biodiesel and nowrenewable diesel.
We were also competing indifferent fuel markets, but we
were competing for the samegrain and same acres in the end,
and so I think we'll continueto see that.
Obviously, commodity prices area little lower than most would
like, and it's important to notethat the ethanol industry
profitability is usually higherwhen the corn is above
production value, and part ofthat is because corn tends to
(09:15):
chase petroleum in the marketversus ethanol chasing petroleum
.
So higher corn prices do notmean that the ethanol industry
is less profitable.
In some cases we're even more.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (09:26):
Well, very interesting.
Thank you for that insight.
I'd like to turn theconversation a little bit to SAF
, Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
Saf is generating significantinterest right now.
Why is it seen as such a gamechanger for both the biofuels
and grain industries?
Robert White, RFA (09:44):
Well, we're always looking at abilities to
extend the market, whetherthat's here or abroad.
We've obviously been fightingto expand regular gasoline to
15% for well over a decade now,still fighting the political
fight, still fighting someregulatory battles as well.
That gas tank, that fuel tankis shrinking, whether it's fuel
economy standards or someembracement of EVs.
(10:07):
We know that tank is going toget smaller.
So if we cannot increase thepercentage of ethanol in that
tank, we have to look elsewhere,and sustainable aviation fuel
is a perfect example.
The airlines themselves havesaid corn ethanol is their
easiest and most liked pathwayand it's not using ethanol as
sustainable aviation fuel.
It's using ethanol as afeedstock to make the
(10:30):
sustainable aviation fuel.
And the beauty for us andeveryone listening is it takes
1.6 to 1.7 gallons of ethanol tomake one gallon of SAF and the
lofty challenge right now is 3billion gallons by 2030.
So you're looking at well over5 billion gallons of additional
demand.
In this case it could be cornethanol and if that were the
(10:53):
case, we would have to start notonly sustaining production and
expanding within our internal orexisting facilities, but we
probably have to build newfacilities and that should be
music to everyone's ears and, atthe same time, hopefully reduce
the climate change burden ofthe airlines with a cleaner
burning product that we can makeover and over again each year.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (11:15):
Wow, that is exciting.
I was just going to ask youwhat are some of those biggest
opportunities and challenges forgrain processors and handlers
in this new market.
You kind of touched on that.
Anything else you want to add?
Robert White, RFA (11:26):
No, I think what we're going to see is
predominantly the SAF locations.
They're either going to beco-located in some fashion with
the existing ethanol producersor they'll be at the end of the
airport pipeline where they taketheir fuel into the facilities.
So, by and large, I think thegrain facilities will not have a
lot of impact based on SAF, orwhere those SAF facilities are
(11:47):
built, we will be using a lotmore of that product, should
that come to fruition.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (11:52):
Wow, neat.
With sustainable aviationfuels' potential to disrupt
markets, how can grain industrystakeholders position themselves
to benefit?
And also, are there anypartnerships or innovations
already making an impact rightnow?
Robert White, RFA (12:08):
Yeah, we're starting to see some of the
sustainable aviation fuelleaders.
We actually have them in ourmembership at the Renewable
Fuels Association.
So we're kind of standingshoulder to shoulder in this
fight to get SAF to the finishline and at the same time, make
sure that corn ethanol canparticipate On the grain
handling side.
I think it's just going to benot a lot of change because it's
(12:28):
going to be what they'reexpecting.
There's going to be more graincoming out of the fields,
there's going to be more grainprocessed at the production
facilities that are existing orthat will be built, and then
eventually the ethanol will makeits way to the SAF facility.
So I think it's what everyoneknows, that there's going to be
bigger crops down the road andwe're going to have to have the
logistics and the facilities tostore them and to move them.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (12:52):
There's great increased awareness on the
importance of this industry.
What misconceptions aboutethanol still persist in your
mind, and how can grainprofessionals help correct them?
Robert White, RFA (13:05):
Well, I like to say that we're all in this
together.
Them.
Well, I like to say that we'reall in this together.
If ethanol is successful, thengrain handling, grain processing
, the farmers and ag in generalis going to be better off.
And so we have the ones that wealways hear.
The most commonly is food versusfuel.
You know we're taking food outof humans' mouths when anyone in
the industry understands whatnumber two corn is and that all
that we use for ethanol in theethanol production process is a
(13:28):
starch and I always make thejoke as I look around our
waistlines we have plenty ofstarch in this country, we're
not deficient in any fashion andso I think it's important to
note that the food that thatnumber two corn would have been
used for still exists.
It comes up in the back end asdistiller's grains and that's
still fed to the same livestockit would have in the beginning.
And then you go from there andit's still fed to the same
(13:50):
livestock it would have in thebeginning.
And then you go from there andit's whether it's cheaper to
make.
Is it still subsidized?
And, of course, the subsidyanswer is no.
That ended well over a decadeago and it just goes on from
there.
Is it really important?
Is it really renewable?
Is it better to have domesticfuel supply?
And I think we can all agree,especially as we see things heat
up around the world again, thathaving domestic energy, having
(14:11):
domestic fuel supplies, is goingto be important and maybe more
important going into the future.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (14:15):
Great insight.
Again, thank you so much.
How can Jeep's Green Elevatorand Processing Society we as an
organization support anawareness campaign for biofuels?
Robert White, RFA (14:26):
Well, I think you've already started.
I mean, this is a good example.
We plan to get more engaged.
We'll be at GEAPS Exchange inKansas City coming up in
February, but I think it'simportant that the advocacy goes
all the way down through yoursystem and even ends up in the
farmers, and so when they'rehaving those coffee shop talks
and they're talking with theirfellow farmers or someone that's
(14:46):
maybe on the fence I mean,whether it's E10, e15, e85, or
just a simple value to not onlythe corn farmer but agriculture
in general I think it'simportant to have at least a
cliff notes and so you can havethat conversation.
And we have that and we'rehopeful that we can continue to
work on any kind of advocacythrough Jeeps.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (15:05):
Thank you so much.
We appreciate that Workingtogether of advocacy through
Jeeps.
Thank you so much.
We appreciate that Workingtogether, looking forward to
seeing you and others in theprocessing industry at Exchange
2025 and beyond.
Now, advocacy is key to marketgrowth.
What role do state and federalpolicies play in shaping the
future of biofuels and how canindustry professionals in your
mind engage effectively?
Robert White, RFA (15:27):
Well, it's always important that those in
agriculture remain loud, if youwill, with their elected
officials, whether that's stateor federal, and most of the
reason, or the logical reasonbehind that, is they're not from
those areas anymore.
We're seeing more and moredisconnect from rural America to
our elected officials, andthat's true at state and
definitely at federal levels,and so it's important to
(15:48):
advocate for agriculture, it'simportant to advocate for
biofuels and, in this case,ethanol, specifically to make
sure they understand the impactback home, and the best way to
do that is through thosepersonal experiences, those
personal stories.
I'm from a town of 3,200 inKansas, and the biggest thing
that ever happened to that townsince the railroad was, in fact,
the ethanol plant that wasbuilt there 20 years ago.
(16:09):
So it's exciting to see.
I've lived it firsthand, andmany of the listeners have too,
and that's what they need torelay.
So if you have a champion onethanol, that's one of your
elected officials.
Thank them for all they've doneand what they'll continue to do
, and, if not, please help themget educated, including their
staff.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (16:29):
That's interesting.
You said that.
I mean, I spend time working ina small community and one of
the biggest things that'shappened again in the last 15
years was an ethanol plant thathas been there.
So we're seeing that more andmore, of course, and we'll
continue to see that.
Now let's take a look aboutwell beyond the US.
How do you see the globalmarket for biofuels evolving,
(16:49):
and what role will US grainproducers play?
Robert White, RFA (16:54):
Yeah, it's going gangbusters as we speak.
Like I said, we are going tosee record exports of ethanol
this year.
Close to 2 billion gallons ofethanol will be exported this
year.
And, of course, our number onemarket is Canada.
On tariffs, and not just forCanada, but will we have
(17:21):
reciprocal tariffs for Brazil?
And what will the rest of theworld look like?
And we're seeing strong policyaround the globe to enhance
biofuels and ethanolspecifically, just look at India
.
India has a billion and a halfpeople and they have an E20 or a
20% ethanol mandate by 2030.
And they do not have the corn,they do not have the ethanol
production.
They're going to need theUnited States to do that and if
(17:41):
we provide that directly, great.
If we have to backfill othermarkets that other countries
fill, then so be it.
But it's going to be big storieslike that and policy changes
around the world that are goingto enhance that, and it's really
a couple things going on.
It's the climate conversation,lowering the greenhouse gases,
and then, at the same time,ethanol is still a cheaper
(18:02):
product than traditionalgasoline.
So it's kind of a win-win forall of these countries, whether
they are producing the ethanolyet today or they plan to in the
future and we're starting tosee other countries, like Japan
and China, start to revisitthese conversations.
So the global market is hugeand it's pretty exciting if
you're sitting back and hopingto see that conversations.
So the global market is hugeand it's pretty exciting if
you're sitting back and hopingto see that grow.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (18:21):
Yeah, I was just about to say that I mean,
that is pretty exciting in theglobal market.
I did not know that about India, and other countries are
certainly considering that, andso that they aren't big
producers, those grains have tocome from somewhere.
So, oh boy, talk about dynamicand evolving on the landscape of
green production, greenhandling and green processing.
Wow, all levels of the supplychain, for sure.
(18:45):
Are there specific regions orcountries where US produced
ethanol is gaining momentum,maybe more than another?
Robert White, RFA (18:53):
Well, I mean, some of these markets are still
relatively small, so they canmove quite quickly up and down.
As I mentioned earlier, canadaby far is our number one
importer of US ethanol.
And then you go around the worldand it covers the globe, and
that's exciting because whatwe're seeing is more adoption,
maybe in a case like India, aswe just mentioned, at a quicker
(19:15):
pace than we're embracing itourselves just mentioned, at a
quicker pace than we'reembracing it ourselves, and so
there's always room for growthhere in the US, to again educate
our elected officials, ourregulators, to make sure they
understand the importance,because in some countries around
the world they've already seenthat and are moving faster than
we are, and so we remainvigilant with our export
initiatives and making sure thatwe're on those trade missions.
(19:36):
We're hosting a group fromJapan just next week and it's
one of those things where wehave to make sure that when they
start to look at what is ourbest approach, moving forward,
is that electric vehicles?
Is that flex fuel vehicles?
Is that ethanol?
Is it something else?
So we're right there at thetable making sure they
understand the opportunities andour ability to fulfill that
(19:56):
demand.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (19:57):
Wow, you're right.
What a role you and yourorganization play in the greater
grain industry, for sure.
How long have you been in theethanol?
Robert White, RFA (20:07):
or biofuels industry.
Robert Well, I came in thesummer of 2000, so approaching
year 25, as we speak and I'vebeen at the RFA since 2008.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (20:15):
Wow, exciting, Great experience.
So, given that, as a contexthere for my next question, what
excites you?
You know big picture, whatexcites you most about the
future of biofuels?
Robert White, RFA (20:30):
particularly in relation to the green
industry.
Yeah, I mean, I think thebiggest thing is these new use
opportunities.
So we're looking at I mentioned, we talked about SAF, right
Sustainable Aviation Fuel hugemarket.
Even if we're a small piece ofthat overall demand and supply
that demand that will be gamechanging for the ethanol
industry.
But we have numerous others.
There are companies that arewanting to use ethanol to make
hydrogen.
There are companies usingethanol today to make renewable
(20:51):
chemicals.
We have projects ongoing rightnow to use ethanol as a diesel
replacement in diesel enginesand we even have research
ongoing right now at PurdueUniversity that's combining
ethanol with biodiesel withoutany sort of conversion in
existing diesel engines.
So all of these markets arehundreds of millions of gallons,
if not billions of gallons each, and if any of them come to
(21:15):
fruition and get some traction,then we're really moving this
industry into the future and itdoesn't have to solely rely on
the fuel tank here in the UnitedStates or abroad.
And so that's exciting becauseonce we establish those new uses
, then other countries aroundthe world will say oh, we can
make renewable chemicals, we canreplace diesel, we can maybe
(21:35):
use ethanol and make hydrogenall these other opportunities so
we can maybe use ethanol andmake hydrogen, all these other
opportunities, and it just youknow, all tides rise, all boats,
and that trickles back all theway down to the corn farmer and
all the logistical demand andneeds in between and it's going
to be pretty exciting.
I'm liking it to the.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (21:57):
Wild West that we saw in the mid-2000s when all
these ethanol plants were beingfundraised and ultimately built
.
Robert White, thank you verymuch for your service.
Could you tell a little bitabout your background and then
your move into the ethanolindustry?
And we both know bothorganizations know GEAPS and
your organization that we arelooking for curious people
working for people who aredisciplined and exciting about
(22:17):
opportunities and there areopportunities in this industry.
So you can speak to all ingeneral, but also certainly
would like you to address thosemaybe coming from the armed
forces and looking for someopportunities.
Please tell our listeners whythis might be an industry they
may want to pursue.
Robert White, RFA (22:33):
Yeah, so I've really only done two things in
my background since graduatinghigh school, and that was
joining the US Army, served fourof my seven years of active
duty overseas and then had twoyears each in the National Guard
and Reserves, and once Ifinished up at Kansas State in
ag economics, I entered theethanol industry.
So it's a very welcomingindustry to veterans and service
(22:55):
members, and I always like totalk about that.
16 to 17 percent of all of ouremployees in the US ethanol
industry are veterans, andthat's the highest across any
energy sector, includingpetroleum.
It almost doubles petroleum.
The one thing I like to thinkabout is there are so many
veterans that come from ruralAmerica.
It's only natural that theygravitate to the ethanol
(23:17):
industry because of where itsfootprint is found, and so
that's exciting for us.
We even have an initiative atthe RFA called the Veterans for
Renewable Fuels.
It's a group where veteransthat are somehow connected to
the ethanol industry can gettogether.
We do have some fun, but it'sthere for times of need as much
as anything, and so we welcomeveterans with open arms.
(23:39):
The RFA itself is 30% veteranOur CEO, Jeff Cooper, and our
director of EH&S, Justin Schultz, who actually is still in the
reserve and just got promoted,or will be getting promoted, to
lieutenant colonel.
So we're a proud bunch amongstveterans and we welcome them
with open arms in the ethanolindustry because they've proven
themselves quite well.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (24:00):
Wow, excellent, great words of wisdom right
there and showing appreciationfor those who have served, and I
will leave a link for yourorganization and what you just
referenced there in thatsentiment.
So thank you so much.
Wow, that is so exciting.
I learned such a great changeand dynamic ever evolving a
market and I've also learnedthat there is so much research,
(24:22):
emphasis on multi-uses of grainsand grain processing and
product use and productimplementation.
That's really exciting andthere's a lot of people behind
it and there's a lot of greatorganizations like your
organization.
Any final thoughts or recaps orkey takeaways for listeners of
the Whole Grain Podcast beforewe conclude?
Robert White, RFA (24:41):
Well, as I said earlier, just become an
advocate.
This is important to all of usthat are listening, and if you
need more information, you canalways visit our website.
It's ethanolrfa.
org.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (24:52):
Perfect.
Robert White, thank you forbeing a guest in the Whole Grain
Podcast On behalf of the wholeGEAPS organization.
We are so excited to get you onthe show.
Thank you Well.
Thanks for having me and we'llsee you in Kansas City.
Thanks for joining us on thisepisode of the Whole Grain
Podcast.
A special thank you to ourguest, robert White, for sharing
his expertise and passion forrenewable fuels.
(25:13):
We hope this discussion hassparked new ideas and broadened
your perspective on the vitalconnections between grain and
energy.
Don't forget to subscribe to theWhole Grain Podcast and share
this episode with yourcolleagues.
For more industry insights andupdates, stay tuned to the Whole
Grain Podcast.
You can catch all the pastWhole Grain Podcast episodes by
going to jeepscom slash wholegrain.
(25:35):
You can also catch the show onyour favorite podcast apps, such
as Apple podcasts, amazon music, pandora, spotify and more.
Hit the subscribe button so youcan catch up on past episodes
and when new episodes arereleased, you'll be informed
right away, as it'll beavailable on your device.
We think the entire grainhandling and processing industry
for doing your part to feed andfuel the world, as well as
(25:56):
facilitate thousands of otherproducts that stem from grain.
Your work is important.
Stay informed and connected byvisiting www.
GEAPS.
com.
That's G-E-A-P-S dot com.
The Whole Grain Podcast offersa terrific opportunity to
spotlight your business.
If you and your organizationwant to sponsor an episode and
be a featured guest, or if youwould like us to help you create
(26:18):
and place an audio commercialon and for a future episode of
the show, please reach out to me.
Jim Lenz, director of globaleducation and training at GEAPS,
the grain elevator andprocessing society.
My email is James atjames@geaps.
com.
We look forward to connectingwith you.
Have yourself a great day andthanks for listening to Whole
(26:39):
Grain.
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