Today our Prairieland CEO students had the opportunity to visit One Earth Energy in Gibson City! General Manager Steve Kelly walked us through how locally grown corn is transformed into ethanol, distillers grain, and corn oil—supporting our farmers, our economy, and sustainable energy.

Our students were able to see firsthand:
🌽 The full lifecycle of locally sourced corn
⚙️ State-of-the-art production systems and real-time operations
🌱 How sustainability and innovation drive the future of the ethanol industry
📈 The economic ripple effect this plant creates for Ford County and surrounding communities
🚜 The connection between agriculture, industry, and entrepreneurship—all core to what CEO is about

We’re grateful for the inside look at their efficiency, their commitment to continuous improvement, and their forward-thinking carbon capture initiatives that will shape the future of energy.

A huge thank you to Steve Kelly and the entire One Earth Energy team for opening their doors, sharing their knowledge, and investing in our students’ growth. Experiences like this help build confidence, curiosity, and real-world understanding.

This is what makes CEO special—connecting young leaders to the industries that keep our communities moving. 🌽