Wednesday June 11 Ag News

Industry Leaders and Scholarship Recipients Honored at the 2025 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo

At the world’s largest ethanol conference, BBI International recognized outstanding contributions to the biofuels industry by naming Gillian Harrison, Steffen Mueller, Rick Schwarck and Michael Jerke as recipients of the event’s prestigious industry awards, as well as two exceptional students—Isaac Harder and Claire Weibye—as the 2025 Kathy Bryan Memorial Scholarship honorees.

Honorees
Gillian Harrison, CEO of Whitefox Technologies, received the Women in Ethanol Award for her visionary leadership in expanding Whitefox from a startup into a key player in the global ethanol market. A graduate of the University of Kent with a degree in English & Spanish Law, Harrison has driven innovation through customer partnerships, cost reduction strategies, and capacity expansions. Under her leadership, Whitefox launched the groundbreaking ICE XL membrane dehydration system—boosting efficiency and lowering energy use across ethanol plants. To date, Whitefox’s technology has enabled the production of more than 1.2 billion gallons of ethanol and prevented over 500,000 tons of CO₂ emissions.

Harrison’s nominator praised her industry impact and advocacy for women in ethanol, noting her active role in advancing the dialogue on decarbonization and next-generation biofuel technologies.

“Now in its third year, the Women in Ethanol Award is designed to lift up and commend the women making critical and everyday impacts in this industry,” said Anna Simet, director of content at BBI International. “Women make up 31% of the ethanol workforce—well above average for the energy industry—and it’s largely due to inspiration drawn from those like Gillian and our other nominees. I look forward to seeing that needle continue to move in coming years.”

Steffen Mueller, principal economist at the University of Illinois at Chicago, received the Award of Excellence for his academic and policy-shaping contributions. Mueller coauthored the land use change module for Argonne National Laboratory’s GREET model and has published over 30 peer-reviewed studies that have guided critical ethanol policy decisions. He has served on the California LCFS Expert Working Group on Land Use and led pivotal research into the health impacts of aromatics in fuel. His work on life cycle emissions and land use modeling has deepened scientific understanding and advanced the sustainability of ethanol.

Rick Schwarck, president and cofounder of Absolute Energy, received the Distinguished Service Award for a career defined by advocacy and innovation. A longstanding leader in the ethanol sector, Schwarck has earned accolades including the TOBI Award (2012, 2013), ACE Grassroots Award (2016), and the Renewable Fuels Association Industry Award (2024). Known for uniting the industry during turbulent times, Schwarck has collaborated with researchers to spotlight the dangers of toxic gasoline compounds and the health benefits of ethanol. He has served on numerous boards supporting state, national and international efforts to promote renewable fuels.

Michael Jerke, CEO of Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy, was honored with the High Octane Award for his enduring commitment to ethanol. With over two decades of industry experience, Jerke has held leadership roles at five ethanol firms and was a founding board member of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. He has consistently championed ethanol policy, participating in fly-ins to Washington, D.C., and welcoming national leaders—including President Trump—to advocate for year-round E15 sales and fewer refinery exemptions. Jerke's leadership has ensured that ethanol remains a powerful economic engine for farmers and rural communities.

Kathy Bryan Memorial Scholarship Recipients
Isaac Harder of Plainview High School, Nebraska, will attend Northeast Community College to study pre-engineering. A four-year honor roll student and decorated Future Farmers of America member, Harder has earned recognition for academic excellence, state-level speech and leadership competitions, and his involvement in agricultural mechanics. His passion for biofuels stems from hands-on experience and a desire to drive innovation in production efficiency at ethanol plants nationwide.

Claire Weibye, a graduate of Lincoln East High School, Nebraska, will begin her studies in chemical engineering at Iowa State University this fall. A high-achieving student, she completed numerous AP courses and earned multiple academic honors, including Academic All-Conference and a varsity letter in swimming. Weibye has held key leadership roles through Youth Leadership Lincoln and Key Club and served as editor of her school newspaper. She plans to combine her engineering education and passion for sustainability to contribute meaningfully to the biofuels sector.

“This year’s award recipients represent the very best of the ethanol industry—visionary leadership, scientific integrity, tireless advocacy and a deep commitment to sustainability,” said John Nelson, chief operating officer at BBI International. “These individuals and future leaders inspire the entire industry to keep pushing forward. It’s an honor to celebrate their contributions on the FEW stage.”

The 41st annual FEW began on Monday, June 9, and will run through Wednesday, June 11 at the CHI Health Center. As the FEW continues to grow, the event has more than 500 biofuel producers, 2,400 professionals registered, and 370 companies displayed on the expo hall floor.



Bacon Issues Statement on ICE Activities in Omaha
Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02).

“We understand people’s concerns for their loved one’s safety and have full confidence and expectations that ICE will operate within their legal authority and treat people with respect. Our office does not receive reports on individual enforcement and removal operations, but we support the rule of law. We encourage anyone with questions and concerns to contact ICE’s toll-free number 888-351-4024. They are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.” -
In addition, Rep. Bacon’s District Director and Director of Outreach went to the ICE facility and gathered the following information:
    ICE served a civil warrant to one facility only-Glenn Valley Foods
    The warrant was in relation to stolen identities
    ICE verified that Glen Valley Foods complied with E-Verify 100% and is a victim in this as well
    People who may have family members who have been detained can call ICE at 402-536-4861. This number is for family members only.



ALFALFA WEEVIL FEEDING ON REGROWTH 
- Samantha Daniel, NE Extension Educator 

Since the first cutting of alfalfa has been completed in much of the state, Nebraska producers may be tempted to believe our troubles with alfalfa weevil are over. Unfortunately, this may not be the case. Alfalfa weevil feeding on regrowth has been reported in some fields, so scouting is highly recommended, particularly if you notice that regrowth doesn’t begin within 4-5 days after cutting.

Alfalfa plants usually suffer the most injury and economic damage before the first cutting, however, feeding on regrowth can have impacts as well. While larvae cause the most damage, adults can also cause damage by feeding along leaf margins and leaving irregular notches. Adult beetles are roughly 5mm in length with a blunt snout and a brown body covered in golden hairs. Larvae are 1.5mm to 8.5mm long with a black head, wrinkled green body, and white stripe along the back and will curl into a C-shape when disturbed.

Scouting for Alfalfa Weevil is simple and can help mitigate economic losses. Randomly select 5 sites across the field and collect 10 stems at each site, cutting the stems at ground level. Beat the stems into a deep sided white bucket and count the number of larvae to determine the average number per stem. Economic thresholds for Alfalfa Weevil can vary greatly from an average of 1-7 larvae per stem, depending on a variety of factors. A threshold table that includes alfalfa as short as 4 inches can be found on the Iowa State Extension website.

While there are several insecticides labeled for alfalfa weevil management, in Nebraska there have been reports of some products not performing as well as expected and resistant alfalfa weevil populations have recently been reported in several western states. Therefore, if you believe you have an infestation above threshold, contact your county Extension Office for further guidance.



CAP Webinar: Nebraska Farm Business 2024 Financial Averages & 2025 Outlook
Jun 26, 2025 12:00 PM 
Tina Barrett, Director, Nebraska Farm Business, Inc.

Join Tina Barrett for an in-depth review of the most recent financial data collected by Nebraska Farm Business, Inc., from farms and ranches across the state. Barrett will present key benchmarks including income, financial ratios, and family living expenses using 2024 year-end data. She will also explore trends from the past decade to help interpret what these numbers could mean for the ag economy in 2025.

Use this valuable information to benchmark your own operation and make more informed decisions for the year ahead.

Miss the live webinar or want to review it again? Recordings are available — typically within 24 hours of the live webinar — in the archive section of the Center for Agricultural Profitability's webinar page, https://cap.unl.edu/webinars. Use that link to register as well.  



ASA Congratulates Vaden on USDA Deputy Secretary Confirmation

The American Soybean Association congratulates Stephen Vaden on his confirmation today as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Vaden brings vast legal and policy experience to the position, having previously served as USDA General Counsel and as a federal judge, in addition to strong agricultural roots through his family farm in Tennessee.

ASA CEO Stephen Censky, who served as Deputy Secretary during the previous Trump administration, offered the following statement: “From his farm and agricultural roots in Tennessee to his deep experience in national agricultural policy as General Counsel at USDA in President Trump’s first term, I know Stephen will be a strong advocate for farmers and ranchers. The job of the Deputy Secretary is broad, whether it is serving as chief operating officer of USDA or providing key advice to the Secretary and others in the cabinet or the White House. I’m thrilled that he has been confirmed and look forward to Stephen joining Secretary Rollins and her team at USDA.”

ASA looks forward to working closely with Deputy Secretary Vaden and Secretary Rollins on policy issues important to soybean growers.



NCBA Congratulates Newly Confirmed USDA and EPA Officials

Tuesday, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane issued a statement congratulating Stephen Vaden on his confirmation as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and David Fotouhi to be Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): 
 
“The cattle industry is thrilled to see two more highly qualified nominees receive confirmation by the U.S. Senate. Mr. Vaden has spent his career immersed in trade issues and fighting for farmers and ranchers. His unique skillset will be especially important right now as the Trump administration works to expand market access for cattle producers. 
 
“Mr. Fotouhi has a wealth of experience in environmental law and will be a key leader for ensuring the EPA returns to its core mission of protecting natural resources rather than obstructing family farmers and ranchers. 
 
“NCBA looks forward to working with Deputy Secretary Vaden and Deputy Administrator Fotouhi. We strongly encourage the U.S. Senate to continue swiftly confirming key nominees across the administration that directly impact the success of family farmers and ranchers throughout the country.”



Farm Bureau Congratulates Stephen Vaden on Deputy Agriculture Secretary Confirmation

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented on the confirmation of Stephen Vaden to be Deputy Secretary at USDA.

“Farm Bureau congratulates Stephen Vaden on his confirmation to be the next Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. His deep-rooted commitment to agriculture began on his family farm in Tennessee and has continued through his previous work at USDA and as a judge on the Court of International Trade.

“There is a lot of work to be done, and Judge Vaden will hit the ground with a firm understanding of the challenges facing America’s farmers. We look forward to engaging with him to create opportunities for farmers and ranchers to continue growing the food, fuel and fiber families rely on.”



Secretary Rollins Signs State Waivers to Remove Unhealthy Foods from SNAP  

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, joined by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., signed three new food choice waivers to Make America Healthy Again. The signed waivers will amend the statutory definition of food for purchase for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) in Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah, each commencing in 2026.

“The Trump Administration is unified in improving the health of our nation. America’s governors have proudly answered the call to innovate by improving nutrition programs, ensuring better choices while respecting the generosity of the American taxpayer. Each waiver submitted by the states and signed is yet another step closer to fulfilling President Trump’s promise to Make America Healthy Again,” said Secretary Rollins.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

“Thank you to the governors of Indiana, Arkansas, Idaho, Utah, Iowa, and Nebraska for their bold leadership and unwavering commitment to Make America Healthy Again,” said Secretary Kennedy. “I call on every governor in the nation to submit a SNAP waiver to eliminate sugary drinks—taxpayer dollars should never bankroll products that fuel the chronic disease epidemic.”

Secretary Rollins and Secretary Kennedy were joined at the event by Governor of Arkansas Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Governor of Indiana Mike Braun.

“This approval sends a clear message: President Trump and his administration are tackling America’s chronic disease epidemic and Arkansas stands with him in that fight,” said Governor Sanders. “I am incredibly grateful for Secretary Rollins’ quick approval of our waiver. Arkansas leads the nation in getting unhealthy, ultra-processed foods off food stamps and helping our most vulnerable citizens lead healthier lives.”

“Indiana is proud to be a leader in the Make America Healthy Again initiative, and I'm proud to join Secretary Rollins, Secretary Kennedy, Congressman Baird, and my fellow Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today to discuss returning SNAP to its proper purpose of nutrition, and how my Make Indiana Healthy Again agenda supports Indiana agriculture and empowers Hoosiers to live longer, healthier lives,” said Governor Braun.

Prior to these waivers, SNAP recipients could buy anything except alcohol, tobacco, hot and prepared foods, and personal care products. This historic action expands the list of products excluded from SNAP purchases in Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah. Arkansas’ waiver excludes soda, low and no-calorie soda, fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice, other unhealthy drinks, and candy, and it will take effect July 1, 2026. The waiver for Idaho excludes soda and candy, and it will take effect January 1, 2026. The waiver for Utah excludes soft drinks, and it will take effect January 1, 2026. Secretary Rollins has previously signed waivers for Nebraska, Iowa, and Indiana.



RFA CEO: Time to Unleash American Ethanol

In keynote remarks today at the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Expo in Omaha, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper laid out the importance of ethanol for energy independence and the rural farm economy.

“If there was ever an energy sector that needs to be let off the leash and allowed to run free, it is today’s ethanol industry,” Cooper said. “For far too long, bureaucratic barriers, regulatory indecision, and policy uncertainty have been holding the U.S. ethanol industry back and preventing us from reaching our full potential. The industry could be doing so much more: More to deliver lower-cost, cleaner-burning fuel to consumers around the world. More to expand into new markets like aviation and maritime and other heavy-duty uses. And more to stimulate demand for America’s farmers.”

Cooper spotlighted the association’s five-point plan for unleashing American ethanol, including the progress made to-date and the challenges that lay ahead for each:
    Secure strong Renewable Fuel Standard volumes for 2026 and beyond
    Pass year-round E15 legislation and remove regulatory burdens that prevent E15 from being sold using existing equipment and infrastructure
    Remove trade barriers and secure expanded market access for ethanol exports
    Establish a level playing field for clean liquid-fueled vehicles, rather than simply forcing electric vehicles on consumers
    Provide certainty and clarity regarding the implementation of the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit

When it comes to the last point, Cooper stressed the long delays in finalizing the 45Z tax credit and the “desperate need for clarity and certainty on the path forward.” While the House included an extension and some improvements in the “One Big Beautiful” budget reconciliation act now before the Senate, there remains a lot to be sorted out.

“That’s why RFA will remain highly engaged with Congress and the administration in the weeks and months ahead, and we’ll continue to urge policymakers to bring clarity and stability to the 45Z program as quickly as possible,” Cooper said. “And RFA’s principles haven’t changed. We’ll continue to advocate for tax policies that create durability and certainty, provide fair opportunities for broad participation, offer market-based structures, and follow sound science.”

In his remarks, Cooper stressed the Trump administration’s Day One commitment that recognized ethanol as a key driver of energy independence. He reflected that, while the same event was taking place six years ago, in 2019, Trump himself was visiting RFA member producer Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy.

“A lot has changed since President Trump visited SIRE six years ago. But what hasn’t changed is the power of ethanol to reduce fuel costs for consumers, enhance energy security, and boost demand for hard-hit farmers. And President Trump and leaders in his administration seem to get it. They seem to understand that opening the marketplace to larger volumes of ethanol can help achieve our nation’s energy, agriculture, and economic goals. Now is the time to Unleash American Ethanol!”