Immersion trip focused on serving others, yet participants find it ‘fills their cup’
OUR IMPACT
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POET’s team innovates new sustainable practices across the company’s footprint
22 | Seeds of Change: Food for the Soul
Immersion trip focused on serving others, yet participants find it ‘fills their cup’
36 | Eye on the Bioprize
Capturing International Markets for Bioproducts
46 | Making an Impact Across the Board
POET – Laddonia boasts well-rounded team
COLUMNS
06 | In Sight
Jeff Broin
| Farm Fresh
Lee Blank
| Mechanics Corner
Automotive advice from the Under the Hood radio show
| Out Of Left Field
Scott Johnson
| People of POET
| Get Biofuels
| PAC
Top: POET Bioprocessing – Laddonia team members walk on-site
Bottom Left: POET team members, Chris Jacobs and Levi Rustand, on Seeds of Change immersion trip
Bottom Right: POET team members celebrate Earth Day with park clean-up
Pioneer, Farmer, Father: The Legacy of Lowell Broin
By Jeff Broin, Founder and CEO of POET
As the adage goes, we all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, and there’s no denying that countless individuals across the agriculture sector, the country, and beyond have stood to benefit from the quiet wisdom and visionary innovation of my father, Lowell Broin.
It is both a privilege and a unique responsibility to share the extraordinary life of my dad, but it is no small task to attempt to capture his legacy using only a few paragraphs. Although he was, outwardly, perhaps the most modest and unassuming man I’ve ever known, he was so much more than a simple description can convey.
If you knew my dad from a distance, you would have thought he was a humble, hardworking, and patient man, and you’d be right. But to those of us who knew him well, he was much more than that. He was a remarkable individual who was unique in so many ways — but he never would have taken credit for it.
Dad was born at home on the farm near Kenyon, Minnesota, on October 31, 1938, and grew up in a world without the conveniences many of us take for granted, like running water and indoor plumbing. He attended country school and then Kenyon High School. Later, he was in the Army Reserves, and in 1958, he married my mother, Judy. Although his childhood was not without its challenges, he was always a man of unwavering faith and was a lifelong member of Holden Church, which his ancestors helped found and where he now rests peacefully.
Dad didn’t start with much. He farmed with his father and took over the farm in the wake of his passing. He moved a small house onto the homestead where my three siblings and I were born. We all slept in one small bedroom, and I remember well the roof leaking each time it rained.
It was a humble beginning, but necessity breeds invention. Dad was resilient, and his innovative spirit got him far. He wasn’t just a great farmer; he was also an inventor, an engineer, and a builder. He designed and built our two-story house over the original one, along with most of the buildings and even the silos on our farm, many times using reclaimed materials.
Although he only had a high school education, he could build almost anything. And everything he built was done right and withstood the test of time, including our dairy barn and hog barn. I remember asking him once how he learned to build things, to which he replied, "When I was a kid, we didn’t have any money after the Depression, but we had a lot of time. So we tore down buildings for the used lumber, and I learned how to put them back together."
His ingenuity didn't stop at structures; he also built a biomass system on our farm to dry corn using corn stalks and, later, old railroad ties. He built a swimming pool from silo staves and designed a solar system to heat it.
But his crowning achievement was perhaps the bioethanol plant he built on our farm.
At the time, there was too much grain in the world and not enough market to utilize it, so Dad and other farmers were being paid by the government to set aside 20% of their acres. I recall him saying often, “It’s such a waste growing nothing on that land.” So, he decided to turn his corn into bioethanol.
Even though all of the other farm-scale plants he was aware of were losing money or being forced into bankruptcy, and the experts said such a venture couldn’t be profitable, Dad once again relied on his faith and
determination. The farm plant came online in 1985, and although it didn’t make a lot of money, it taught us many valuable lessons.
After running the farm-scale plant for two years, he and my older brother attended an auction to buy equipment at a bankrupt plant in Scotland, SD. It went for such a low price they bought the whole facility – and the rest, as they say, is history. The three of us became partners in this new venture, named Broin Enterprises, and my younger brother would join later. The early years were tough, with Dad guaranteeing the debt and putting immense trust in us to make the business successful.
I was just 22 when I moved to Scotland to become the general manager, and Dad’s faith in me continues to humble and motivate me to this day. To say running that first plant was challenging would be an understatement. We faced fires, an explosion, and equipment failures that almost bankrupted us. Yet, each time, we found a way to prevail. We grew rapidly, and over the next 16 years, we built 34 plants in seven states, with over 6,000 farmers investing in our projects. In all, we created 52 different companies in less than 20 years.
Dad’s bold idea to use the corn on our farm to make fuel — which some neighbors said was “crazy” — was the first step in what has become the largest biofuel company in the world. Today, POET uses one billion bushels of corn annually to produce three billion gallons of bioethanol, 14 billion pounds of animal feed, and one billion pounds of corn oil. 2,400 people have careers at POET, 40,000 farmers deliver grain to our facilities, and the families, communities, and states that surround our locations have benefited greatly.
In Loving Memory of Lowell Broin
October 31, 1938 – May 1, 2024
But that’s not the best part of the story. The success of our bioprocessing plants encouraged other farmers to follow suit and build more than 100 plants in rural areas throughout the Corn Belt, spurring an agricultural renaissance. Today, five billion bushels of corn are used each year in the U.S. for bioethanol production, two and a half times more than we export.
The growth of the bioethanol industry not only eliminated the set-aside acres that motivated Dad in the first place; over three decades, it tripled the price of farm commodities, more than doubled the value of farmland, and made farming profitable not just in the U.S., but across the globe, changing millions of lives and improving the world in ways he could never have imagined.
And yet, despite the success Dad witnessed after building that first plant on the farm, he remained as humble as they come, always a Minnesota farm kid at heart. Perhaps his defining trait was his remarkable patience, which we saw regularly, whether he was facing issues on the farm or, on occasion, challenges created by his kids (and later, his grandkids). He took great pleasure in the simple things in life: a game of cards, a quick nap, or a good chocolate chip cookie.
But what stands out most about my dad is the great father and grandfather he was to his family. At the end of the day, I believe that’s how we should all define success – not by the things we acquire, the milestones we achieve, or the money we make, but by the people we impact. Very few individuals have the privilege to touch as many lives as Lowell did, and I can only imagine he was greeted in heaven with the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Cultivating Sustainability
POET’s team innovates new sustainable practices across the company’s footprint
By Erin Branick, POET Media Specialist
The move toward sustainability has become increasingly important in recent years, but at POET it’s not a new concept. It’s been a part of the company’s DNA since the beginning. From day one, they have sought to embody a spirit of innovation and environmental stewardship, finding ways to utilize the resources God gave us with integrity while creating value for farmers and the world.
In 2021, POET published its inaugural Sustainability Report. The most notable of POET’s goals include reducing the carbon intensity of its bioethanol by 70% compared to traditional gasoline by 2030 and transitioning all of POET’s 34 bioprocessing facilities to carbon neutral by 2050.
Here is a look at a few of the numerous ways POET strives to be a leader in sustainability.
Right: Nathan Hauck volunteers at POET's annual Earth Day event in Sioux Falls
Earth Day
Every year, Earth Day is a call to action: a reminder that our planet’s health is in our hands and a motivation to take meaningful steps toward a brighter future.
POET answers that call. With a team dedicated to living every day like it's Earth Day, POET’s core mission is to be good stewards of the Earth and give back to its communities. For the past four years, POET has hosted a company-wide Earth Day volunteer event, with participation from its 34 bioprocessing facilities and its corporate offices in Sioux Falls and Wichita.
“POET’s Earth Day efforts across our footprint are just one small part of our ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability,” said Alyssa Broin Christensen, Vice President of Team and Community Impact. “It’s a small but powerful reminder that when we unite behind a common goal, we have the power to impact real change in the world.”
Team members across POET's footprint celebrate Earth Day with various activities
Solar Farm
The POET Solar Farm powers the company’s headquarters located in Sioux Falls, S.D. The solar farm generates two-thirds of the electricity needed to power the headquarters. It produces 745,000 kWh of electricity each year, offsetting 630,000 pounds of CO2. Any excess power generated by the farm goes back to the Sioux Falls grid to supply local homes and buildings with clean, renewable power.
Biomass-to-Power
The launch of POET’s biomass-to-power technology at POET Bioprocessing –Emmetsburg, Iowa is known as Project Freedom. It uses corn stover to generate thermal energy via steam, reducing the facility’s reliance on natural gas by up to 65 percent.
POET Bioprocessing – Chancellor, S.D. is powered by steam generated from biomass combustion (recycled wood pallets, waste wood from trees, and wood targets from a local axe-throwing business) and landfill biogas transported via pipeline from the nearby Sioux Falls landfill. The gas would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. POET – Chancellor gets nearly half of its energy from recycled sources.
Steam-Powered Turbines
Steam-powered turbines are designed to efficiently convert high pressure steam to electricity prior to the steam being used in the facility. As of today, 18 turbines have been installed at 17 of POET’s bioprocessing facilities
The turbines reduce the electricity consumed by the plant, allowing the plant to reuse its own energy more efficiently, reducing emissions and cutting down POET’s carbon footprint. Each steam turbine powers a generator that produces an average of three megawatts of electricity per facility, totaling 50 megawatts per year.
Total Water Recovery
Another key sustainability initiative at POET is the Total Water Recovery (TWR) system. This patented process continuously filters, treats, and recycles the water used in bioethanol production. By implementing this internal water recycling program, POET effectively eliminates liquid discharge from its bioprocessing facilities, with the only exceptions being steam and the water contained in the bioproducts produced.
Twenty POET bioprocessing facilities have installed TWR, which reduces water use and wastewater discharge used for the production of bioethanol and bioproducts within the plants. POET’s facilities have reduced their water consumption by 33 percent as a result of the total water recovery technology.
Leading with Responsibility and Innovation
A key part of POET’s mission is to leave the world better than they found it. That mission is shared by all of POET’s team members across two corporate headquarters, 34 bioprocessing facilities, and four terminals.
“At POET, we recognize that every day is an opportunity to champion sustainability and environmental stewardship.”
Nathan Hay, POET Vice President of People & Culture.
“In every aspect of what we do at POET — from our low-carbon biofuels and plant-based bioproducts to our team’s culture — we are passionate about innovation and changing the world for the better.”
To learn more about POET’s sustainability efforts, visit poet.com/sustainability.
Top: A team at POET Bioprocessing – Big Stone celebrates Earth Day by planting trees
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Fueling Progress
D.C. Backs Decarbonizing Biofuels Via 40B and 45Z
By Matt Ward, POET Government Affairs Manager
For the past few decades in Washington, D.C., there has seemed to be a prevailing mindset that all biofuel is the same. Pay no mind to advancements in technology that have done things like reduce water and energy consumption in production and made bioethanol an even cleaner alternative to gasoline. Corn-starch bioethanol is corn-starch bioethanol.
But now, there seems to be some daylight. A recognition on Capitol Hill that bioethanol is not monolithic. It has and can continue to get better.
One such signal designed to drive innovation and deliver value back to the American farmer is the section 45Z, Clean Fuel Production Credit, designed to incentivize the production of lower carbon intensity (CI) biofuels.
The Treasury Department, which is tasked with implementing this credit, is in the process of providing the rules necessary to utilize it. But, in late April, Treasury dropped a hint of what may become 45Z upon releasing guidance for the section 40B Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blender tax credit, one important piece in driving the bioeconomy forward.
In comments following the release of the 40B guidance, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said, “This guidance crosses an important threshold in carbon modeling, recognizing for the first time that farming techniques can reduce the carbon intensity of crops, and, by extension, biofuels. It’s also the first time Treasury has used the Argonne National Laboratory’s GREET model in federal tax policy. These are promising big-picture developments and signal that agriculture is a key part of our nation’s climate strategy.”
As part of this guidance, Treasury utilized an updated version of the GREET model that can calculate the CI of SAF. In response to the update, Skor said, “The new 40B GREET model is trending with scientific consensus when it comes to measuring indirect land use change (iLUC). Years’ worth of peer-reviewed research has shown that this number has been decreasing when it comes to bioethanol production. We hope future guidance for the 45Z tax incentive follows this trend and continues to reflect the falling iLUC values for American biofuels.”
The 40B guidance is not perfect, yet it is an important step to unleashing the potential of biofuel and American agriculture. But more needs to be done. For example, the recognition of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices, while important, is limited to three practices (no-till, cover crop, and enhanced efficiency fertilizer) which must be “bundled” together for the purposes of the credit. The bundling of CSA practices is a significantly limiting factor for farmers. Furthermore, no technologies to reduce the emissions from process heat generation were allowed under this model — a major misstep in the mission to reduce emissions.
With 40B expiring at the end of 2024, there is another opportunity on the horizon to
expand recognized agriculture practices and production technology. Enter section 45Z, a producer’s credit, starting in 2025, that has both a SAF component as well as an on-road component.
Notably, the primary statutory model for on-road is Argonne GREET, where 40B GREET was recognized as a secondary model for the purposes of SAF.
Skor continues, “The SAF market is just getting off the ground, and today’s guidelines are only the beginning of an important journey for the bioeconomy. As the administration builds on the 40B GREET model, its guidance for the 45Z tax credit must be less prescriptive and more expansive-fully embracing the totality of innovations that, by its own admission, can demonstrably reduce carbon intensity.”
Though imperfect, these are important developments. For almost two decades, outdated and overly-broad fuel definitions utilizing decades-old emissions data have treated all biofuels the same regardless of the adoption of recognized CI reduction practices. These credits recognize that biofuel and agriculture have a significant role to play in the bioeconomy by investing in agriculture, technology, and infrastructure that enhances American energy security, creates American jobs, and reduces emissions. The 40B guidance formally recognizes the ability of both improve CI.
Biofuel champions in Congress recognize the importance of getting 45Z done right. A bipartisan, bicameral letter led by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Rep. Brad Finstad (R-MN), and Rep. Eric Sorenson (D-IL), amongst others, was recently sent to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. The letter calls on the Treasury to broaden the farming and production processes recognized in 45Z. It also calls for timely finalization of the guidance.
45Z can be transformative for bioethanol producers, agriculture, and rural communities if the guidance is done right. POET, its industry allies, and champions in Congress are working to ensure that 45Z’s implementation reaches its full potential.
FEATURE
Food for the Soul
Immersion trip focused on serving others, yet participants find it ‘fills their cup’
By Janelle Atyeo
The smiles are electric, the joy is contagious, and the hope is palpable. Tammi Crooks wasn’t prepared for such intense emotions as she visited Kenya for the first time with Seeds of Change this spring. Crooks, who works as Talent Acquisition Coordinator in POET's Wichita, Kansas office, said the tears started to flow when the group pulled up to the Kakuswi School for the Deaf in Tawa, Kenya, where Seeds of Change has been sponsoring students and expanding infrastructure since 2012.
“The level of gratitude they have and how they expressed it — it was beautiful,” Crooks said.
A group of 13 POET team members, family, and Seeds of Change corporate sponsors spent three days at the school pitching in on construction projects and getting to know the students. The May 27-June 2 immersion trip was the group’s first visit to Kenya in five years; last year's group — Seeds of Change's first post-pandemic trip — traveled to Uganda.
POET Founder and CEO Jeff Broin and his wife, Tammie, founded Seed of Change in 2014 with a focus on improving educational opportunities, farming techniques, air and water quality, healthcare access, and more in African nations and elsewhere around the world.
“We had already supported some programs in Africa in the past and always knew we wanted to do more there,” said Tammie Broin, Seeds of Change Co-Founder and President. “The trip our family took to Kenya really changed all of our lives, and it's been incredible to see how Seeds of Change has developed over the last decade.”
The Kakuswi School — where the Broin family first traveled in Kenya and which served as something of an impetus for Seeds of Change — has been part of the organization since the beginning. And the progress has been astounding; this year's trip participants were able to see just how much progress has been made on the property where three small buildings once stood.
In 2012, those three buildings served as classrooms, dorms, a church, a kitchen, and more to 24 students with special needs. Because space was limited, the students ate their meals and played outside, usually sleeping two to three children per bunk at night.
“It’s very eye-opening. It’s something that's hard to imagine if you haven't had the opportunity to see it for yourself,” said Broin.
Today, 146 students are receiving a quality education at a pristine, full-size Kakuswi campus, complete with boys' and girls' dormitories, multi-level classroom buildings, staff housing, a dining hall, an administration block, a library, and an entire vocational school — thanks to support from Seeds of Change.
Each year's immersion trip group has traditionally taken part in a capital project of some sort, quite literally leaving their mark on the school. This year's group helped local masons build a perimeter wall for increased security and prepared classrooms for solar power. The projects are on track for summer completion, said Head Teacher Timothy Mukilya.
“The group was so friendly, loving, understanding, curious to know, active, and devoted to work,” he said.
Mukilya and the staff appreciate the work, but it’s the time volunteers take to get to know the students that is really special. If the welcome brought tears, the goodbye brought double.
“We bid them farewell and they painfully left with wells of tears filling their eyes due to love. It was awesome!” Mukilya said.
Some participants have been moved so deeply by their experiences that just one trip isn't enough.
“Timothy's vision is really coming to fruition,” said Jan Eliason.
Jan and her husband, James Eliason, Materials Manager at POET Bioprocessing – Shelbyville, Indiana, participated in their first Seeds of Change trip in 2017. They now make a point to return each year. This was their first trip since COVID, and they were impressed with the progress.
Jan formed an especially close bond with a student at a Seeds of Changesupported girls' secondary school on her first trip. Rael is now 22, and the Eliasons have watched her balance boarding school with her family’s needs and navigate university. She’s about to graduate and aims for a career in data entry.
Jan is heartened by the priority Kenyans place on education.
“We asked the girls what they wanted to do on weekends, and all they wanted to do was study,” she said.
“It’s the simple things,” said Jerry Tegels, who works for H2O Innovation in Iowa. The company oversees several POET plant water systems and has long been a major corporate donor for Seeds of Change.
At the Kakuswi school, Tegels worked alongside a man who hoisted loads of bricks with his bare hands. Eventually, when he saw him wrap his blistered palms with burlap sacks, Tegels gave the man his work gloves, wishing he'd had enough for everyone.
Tegels finds himself looking through the pictures he took in Kenya and wondering what the kids and adults are doing now. Seeing Seeds of Change’s work firsthand makes the impact sink in.
“You don’t see Kenya as just a country or a large population anymore," he said. "Going there firsthand gives you perspective; you get to know people as individuals."
That’s the value of making face-to-face connections. On his first Seeds of Change trip, Levi Rustand, Accounting Analyst at POET’s Sioux Falls headquarters, came away with a new perspective on giving. Some may question why to use resources to send 13 people across the ocean when organizations could send just money.
“We learned how much our friends in Kenya cherish building relationships with people," he said.
POET Rail Logistics Specialist Lacey Campbell called those relationships the most impactful part of the trip.
“Just building relationships with people is so important,” she said. “It’s letting people know that we are physically here for them. We’re willing to travel to speak with them and hear their stories and share our stories.”
Sharing his experience with daily journals on Facebook drew a lot of interest from the friends and family of Shawn Eastman, Regional Account Manager with H2O Innovation in Champlin, Minnesota. He’s eager to share more. He and Tegels plan to put together a presentation for H2O Innovation partners across the U.S. and internationally.
With water being his business niche, Eastman would like to do more in the future to improve drinking water in Africa.
“If we could clean that water up for them, I know we could avoid a lot of sickness and disease,” he said.
Rustand is inspired to do more, too. He’s ready to sign up as immersion trip volunteer No. 1 on next year’s trip, he said, and he encourages anyone to take the opportunity to go.
POET team members and families on the 2024 Seeds of Change immersion trip to Kenya
“I always have been a giver, but after the experience and seeing the work we’re doing, I’m fully invested in this,” he said.
“I knew we were doing a lot, but I didn’t realize the magnitude,” said Crooks, the POET team member from Wichita.
Crooks saw it in feeding programs that are bringing Maasai kids to school in record numbers and in the measurable growth she saw on the fields of Kenyan farms, another product of Seeds of Change programming.
Stalks of maize reached higher than Crooks's raised hand in a field planted with Seeds of Change guidance — a far cry from the barely-thigh-high stalks at a neighboring farm. In fact, the organization's agricultural initiative that began in Kenya is now transforming farms in 18 countries. To date, it has impacted nearly six million lives.
“Everything we experienced that Seeds of Change has their hands in, you see growth, you see joy, and you see hope,” Crooks said.
Securing Our Agricultural Legacy with New Innovations
By Lee Blank, CEO, Summit Carbon Solutions
Growing up on a 640-acre farm in Iowa, I learned early the value of hard work and the importance of adapting to change. The landscape of agriculture has shifted dramatically since my days at the farmgate, and today, we face new challenges that demand innovative solutions. One such solution that will dramatically change the lives of farmers today is the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline project. I’m Lee Blank, and I am the CEO of this proposed pipeline company. This isn’t just another piece of infrastructure — it’s a crucial step forward in securing the future of farming in America.
To bring this project to life, we’ve partnered with 57 bioethanol plants across five states to capture, transport, and permanently store their CO2. Among our partners is POET, the largest biofuels producer in the country. This collaboration is key to our strategy, ensuring that we are integrating with industry leaders who share our commitment to enhancing the future of agriculture.
Once operational, the pipeline will have a significant positive impact on the counties it crosses, with each expected to receive an average of approximately $1,075,000 in property tax payments every year. This funding can be transformative for local communities, providing much-needed financial support for infrastructure, schools, and healthcare services. But the benefits don’t stop there; they extend directly to US farmers.
The project helps to increase the value of our farmland, offering higher returns on investments. Additionally, this pipeline could lead to higher corn prices because bioethanol is sold at a premium. A healthy bioethanol market allows for strong rural communities. These numbers mean more than just profit; they represent stability for our families and our future.
Markets today are demanding low-carbon fuel, and this project positions farmers to meet that demand head-on. By building the Summit pipeline, we’re ensuring that our products remain competitive on a global scale. This is how we adapt to the changing market — by embracing technology that aligns with these new trends while still holding true to our roots in agriculture.
Farming is meant to be generational. I witnessed that change in the depth of the farm crisis in the 70s when our family was forced to sell our farm. We weren’t the only ones. I see our pipeline as more than just a technological advancement; it’s an opportunity for farmers to continue doing what they love, but even better. It’s about taking control of our future and ensuring that farming remains strong. This project is our chance to show that we can lead the way in innovation while staying true to the agricultural heritage that has defined us for generations.
In embracing the Summit pipeline, we’re not just investing in our land or our crops; we’re investing in a way of life. Let’s look forward to a future where farms continue to thrive, supported by the best technology available. Together, we can ensure that agriculture in America remains a vibrant and vital part of our national identity.
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What’s more, sustainability and environmental conservation are key in each and every process we develop. That’s why our commitment to provide the separating technology required to produce renewable biofuels and agricultural co-products is as strong as ever. To learn more about GEA’s centrifuges and separation equipment and the industries we serve, visit us online at gea.com.
PEOPLE OF POET
Strength in Unity
POET team rallies around Davis family in fight against cancer
By Erin Branick, POET Media Spcialist
“We definitely couldn’t do it without our team.”
In November of 2023, Haley Davis, POET Senior Merchandising Coordinator, received the challenging news of a breast cancer diagnosis. Amidst this adversity, Haley and her husband, Shaun, became testaments to the resilience and strength that emerge when a community rallies together to make a real difference in the lives of its members.
Haley Davis has been part of the POET team for eight years. As a Senior Merchandising Coordinator, she does fast-paced logistical coordination for POET’s facilities in the Eastern Corn Belt.
“My work keeps me on my toes,” said Haley. “Every day is a little different. POET Bioproducts is like our little work family. People usually aren’t friends with their coworkers outside of work, and I can’t imagine that; our friends are here, and we love our work team.”
The core of POET’s mission is to leave the world better than they found it. The POET Bioproducts team takes that mission seriously. They’re known throughout the company for their team bonding and their support of one another.
“As it is throughout all of POET, culture is king,” said Greg Breukelman, President of POET Bioproducts. “That starts with Jeff Broin’s leadership. I’ve seen places where culture extends about as far as posters on the wall. But at POET, we’re very intentional about culture and live it every day. It’s all about having a great culture so the wonderful people we have can thrive.”
Haley and Shaun agreed that POET’s culture is one-of-a-kind.
“My favorite memories from POET have been the Bioproducts Team’s launch parties and the corporate company-wide picnic POET hosts every summer,” said Shaun. “It’s a great time. You get to know everyone better when they’re not at their desks. It brings a different and fun side of everybody out.”
When the POET team learned of Haley’s diagnosis, they came together to support the Davis family in this difficult journey.
“The news was a huge shock as Haley is so young and healthy,” said Breukelman. “Immediately, though, our team jumped in and started helping Haley and Shaun in any way they could, whether that was supplying meal cards, having fundraisers, or arranging snow removal. Of course, no one wants to see a young woman and her family have to deal with this challenge. But at the same time, it is very moving to see the outpouring of love and support from the entire team.”
Each month, POET orchestrated a fundraiser or event to support Haley and Shaun.
It started in December with an initial fundraiser among POET team members. In January, two team members designed bracelets and t-shirts to sell, with proceeds going to the Davis family.
POET Bioproducts team members also had a special surprise in January. When Haley decided she was going to shave her head, her husband and two other coworkers decided they would, too, in solidarity. They turned it into a fundraiser where team members could vote on one of three comical haircut options for Shaun. The haircut that raised the most funds would be given to Shaun in the office.
Barber chairs, capes, and professionals were brought into the office for the big day.
When the time came for Haley and Shaun to have their heads shaved, six other team members stepped forward and surprised Haley and Shaun that they would be joining them. By the time everyone had their turn, two additional coworkers spontaneously decided to join the festivities and have their heads shaved as well.
“We originally only had four of us who were going to shave our heads,” said Shaun. “Then there were a few more, and then a few more. By the time we were done, twelve people, Haley and I included, had their heads shaved.”
“Everyone was laughing the whole time and joking about how visitors probably think we hire specifically for bald people since there are so many of us now,” said Haley. “I knew the day would be emotional, but there was so much support in the room. It was really cool."
"My team made it clear that I wasn’t alone in this battle.”
-Haley Davis, Senior Merchandising Coordinator
In February, at the annual launch party, the team did a karaoke fundraiser on behalf of the Davises. In March, the team started a meal train to help with food and grocery needs while Haley underwent treatment.
“Haley is a real leader at POET Bioproducts as she leads by example,” said Breukelman. “She is friends with everyone and brings a fun, positive attitude to work every day. Even though she had this awful diagnosis and is undergoing grueling treatment where she must be feeling terrible, she continues to show up with the same great attitude, which is very inspiring.”
Haley’s story is one example of many at POET. At a company whose culture is about supporting others, there are countless instances of team members embodying what it means to give back to others. POET’s team, across its footprint, regularly comes together to help colleagues, team members, and community members in need.
In Sioux Falls, the POET Bioproducts team continues to find small, meaningful ways to remind the Davises that they have a team behind them.
“I was gifted a ‘chemo quilt.’ It’s a quilt that a family member gave me, and I asked everyone on the team to sign it and write something funny or inspirational. I take it with me when I go in for treatments as a reminder that my team is with me. They’ve been so supportive, and it means the world.”
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Eye on the BioPrize
Capturing international markets for bioproducts
By Holly Jessen
In today’s interconnected global economy, international markets represent unique opportunities for expanding product reach. By unlocking global demand, companies can foster innovation and market growth.
POET is doing just that by executing a multi-pronged strategy to capture increasing portions of international markets for animal feed products. Within its suite of plant-based bioproducts, the company provides consistent, high-quality, and high-protein animal feed options to a growing base of customers around the world.
In 2023, POET shipped more than 33,500 containers of bioproducts, exporting to 25 countries worldwide. Notably, those numbers made the company the 17th-largest container exporter in the U.S., up from 25th in 2022 and 36th in 2021. That growth is happening despite the fact that, overall, the export market for distillers dried grains (DDGS) has been roughly flat since about 2017.
“Our facilities are logistically situated to be in this market,” said Andy Lindsay, Director of Trading for POET. “We have put a lot of emphasis on developing it out.”
Top: Andrew Baker at the Grain Market Outlook & Business Environment Seminar in Seoul, Korea
Bottom Left: Andy Lindsay and Ayhan Kindap in Antalya, Turkey
Bottom Right: Akram Babu and Brandon Hanson atop a pile of POET DDGS at Nourish Poultry in Bangladesh
So, how has POET been able to capture larger parts of that market share?
Isaac Crawford, POET Vice President of Trading and Portfolio Management, pointed to the company’s in-person market development work. “Our growth has really been spurred by the notion to connect with more customers and have more direct relationships with buyers all around the world,” he said.
Another important factor was POET’s acquisition of a major transload facility in the Port of Savannah, Lindsay said. Then there’s the company’s 2021 purchase of six additional bioprocessing plants, which added POET Corn Fermented Protein (CFP) to its bioproduct portfolio. “Ultimately, we’ve been able to see a lot of growth with the investment we’ve had in that space,” he said.
Relationship building, logistics work hand in hand
In 2023 alone, POET conducted in-person market development in 17 countries: Portugal, Senegal, Mexico, Singapore, Austria, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Ecuador, South Korea, Indonesia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Morocco, and Canada.
“We travel to these countries for various trade shows and customer meetings,” said Lindsay. “They allow us to showcase our expertise and bioproducts, creating opportunities for greater access to these international markets.”
Market development is only one piece of the puzzle, however. “Part of it is going out and visiting with customers and getting in front of people to develop relationships and trust,” Lindsay confirmed. “The other portion of it is actually being physically able to execute on those contracts and those sales.”
One example of that work is in Mexico, a strong importer of U.S. DDGS. POET first opened up an office in-country in 2016, Crawford said. Today, POET de Mexico directly ships and distributes to multiple distribution facilities in the country. “The intent there was to find locations where there were customer bases that were aligned with our bioproducts to really create more local markets for POET production,” he said.
Lindsay highlighted POET’s 2022 acquisition of the transload facility in Savannah, GA, as key to helping the company develop and expand export markets. The facility is dedicated to transporting bioproducts produced at bioethanol plants, primarily POET plants. That means no crosscontamination issues for customers.
POET Terminal – Savannah is advantageous due to its location just a few miles from the Port of Savannah, access to two major railroads, and a vast number of containers available for export. “The logistics that you can manage through there is really what’s an advantage,” he said. “It helps keep the supply chain moving without a lot of disruptions.”
Austin Broin, General Manager of POET Terminal – Savannah, agreed with Lindsay. “Since POET acquired this facility, we’ve been able to significantly increase production at a steady rate while simultaneously making large investments into the site, our team members, and, as a result, the city of Savannah. From our first month in business to the spring of 2024, we nearly doubled our number of railcars transloaded into containers. It’s a true testament to the hard work put forth by both the POET – Savannah team and POET’s export sales team in continuing to grow this very important market and customer base.”
In comparison, competition for containers at inland locations like Columbus, Detroit, or Chicago can be fierce among the many companies looking to export products. “It can be tough to get the number and volume of containers that you want,” Lindsay said. “But if you’re at a port facility like Savannah, they have anywhere from 30,000 to 70,000 containers at the port at any given time.”
In addition, some export markets, such as Vietnam and Thailand, require fumigation prior to export. Transload facilities in the Midwest get too cold for that at certain times of the year, while Savannah is warm enough year-round, he said.
Expanding production of bioproducts
With the 2021 acquisition that grew POET by 40% virtually overnight and the 2023 reopening of its facility in Cloverdale, IN, the company now owns and operates 34 bioethanol production plants, with total DDGS production at seven million metric tons annually. Two of those plants, POET Bioprocessing – Shell Rock, IA, and POET Bioprocessing – Fairmont, NE, produce DDGS as well as CFP. “That is a product that really fits well into that export space,” Lindsay said.
In fact, a significant portion of the total CFP produced by POET goes to international markets, said Derek Balk, POET Director of High Protein Ingredients and Business Development. When the separation technology was installed at the two plants, it was estimated that each facility produced 300,000 tons of DDGS per year. By pulling out the CFP, each plant’s production shifted to about 75,000 tons of POET CFP and 225,000 tons of DDGs.
CFP is a 50-percent protein product produced by screening out both the yeast and corn proteins in whole stillage. That resulting concentration of nutrients has excellent energy and digestibility values, delivering key nutrients that are ideal for a variety of species.
Derek Balk at the World Ethanol & Biofuels Summit in Brussels, Belgium
“At
POET, we strive to help you achieve your production goals — without sacrificing quality, performance, or economics.”
Derek Balk, POET Director of High Protein Ingredients and Business Development
In 2022, those two facilities received the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) Food Safety Management System Certification (FSSC 22000). This globally recognized certification gives customers in the pet food, aquaculture, and other feed markets even more assurance that POET’s feed products have been produced and handled according to the highest food safety standards. The certification is something the company’s international customers look for, he said.
The growth in demand for CFP will come from the international markets, driven by growth in the aquaculture, poultry, and pet food producers. Aquaculture market, for instance, will continue growing in Southeast Asia, Central and South America, due to abundance of accessible water, labor and revenue from exporting seafood. While the U.S. aquaculture sector continues to struggle being competitive and grow production numbers, Balk said.
While DDGS are typically used in lower-value species like carp and catfish, as they have lower protein needs and can tolerate higher fiber content, CFP is a better fit for carnivorous species, such as salmon, trout, and shrimp. With those higher-value species, fiber isn’t digestible and can result in negative health effects. As a result, CFP is well-positioned to help aquaculture producers decrease expensive products like soy protein concentrates or fish meal as a feed component.
The pet food market has great potential for growth for CFP. While the domestic pet food market is in a cycle trending toward grain-free products, POET doesn’t see that to be the case, for example, in Latin America or Southeast Asia. “We’ve got some positive movement in that area,” he said. “Pet food is a consumer-packaged good that goes into people’s homes, that brings with it a lengthy evaluation and approval process regardless of market.”
By venturing beyond domestic borders, POET has unlocked new growth, forged invaluable partnerships, and adapted to diverse consumer preferences and needs. Thriving in international markets demands more than just a passport; it requires strategic planning and a commitment to excellence — characteristics that POET is known for, both at home and around the world.
At some point, technology and nature fell out of rhythm. POET is getting us back in rhythm with nature with sophisticated and sustainable biotechnology solutions to our most immediate challenges.
The world’s leader in plant-based bioproducts. // poet.com
GET BIOFUEL
If You Build It, They Will Come
By Ryan Welsh, Growth Energy Director of Sales and Marketing
Most people, not only baseball fans, know of the movie, "Field of Dreams" — a magical movie from the 1980s set in the beautiful landscape of the plush green corn fields of eastern Iowa. Most of the movie was filmed on the Lansing Family farm outside of Dyersville, IA. High-yielding corn is still growing there, and the house still stands in the same place it did 100 years ago. The entire movie stems from and is wrapped around one iconic line: “If you build it, he will come.” It refers to Kevin Costner making peace with his long-deceased father.
Some say the author of the book (from which the movie was later adapted) drew the inspiration for the famous quote from Exodus 25. God speaks to Moses and says in Verse 8: “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.” If you build it, I will come. No matter the origin and variations of the quote, the truth remains.
Right after the movie was produced, the baseball field was left behind, and over 7,000 fans visited that year. Today, over 100,000 fans visit the tourist destination in Dyersville annually.
Another great story of building in Iowa comes from the POET story. POET operates 12 bioprocessing facilities in Iowa, creating hundreds of jobs in the state while helping to fuel and feed the world.he bioethanol industry was built, and the rest is history. If you put effort and belief into a project's success, that project will succeed.
Bringing these two great American stories together is Iowa Speedway.
Iowa Speedway is a 7/8-mile paved oval racetrack located in Newton, Iowa. It was built in 2006 and officially opened that same year. The track was designed by NASCAR champion Rusty Wallace and is known for its progressive banking, which allows for multiple racing lines.
Iowa Speedway quickly became popular among fans and drivers alike, hosting races in various series, including NASCAR, IndyCar, and ARCA. In 2013, NASCAR announced that Iowa Speedway would host its first NASCAR Xfinity Series race, which has since become a regular event on the schedule.
Over the years, Iowa Speedway has gained a reputation as a fan-friendly and competitive racetrack with close finishes and exciting racing action. It continues to be a key venue in the world of motorsports, attracting top drivers and teams to compete on its unique and challenging track.
This year, the proven venue hosted a long-awaited NASCAR Cup Series race: the Iowa Corn 350. In full-circle fashion, every car on the track was powered by corn grown in the fields that surround the speedway, including the #3 Get Bioethanol Chevrolet piloted by Austin Dillon. Since 2011, NASCAR has been fueled by 15% bioethanol. The Sunoco race fuel blend has performed perfectly under the most extreme conditions, creating more power and lowering emissions at the track by 20%. Clean air is just a bonus benefit the fans cannot see.
The grandstand at Iowa Speedway seats only about 24,000 spectators — small by Cup Series standards — but with temporary suites and camping capacity, the race had about 45,000 spectators. Fans drove from all over the Midwest to pack the venue hours before the race began, and they didn't miss a second of the action-packed event even in the summer heat. Iowa Speedway's firstever NASCAR Cup Series race and the palpable energy throughout proved that it was a success — and that if you build it, they will come.
Making an Impact Across the Board
POET – Laddonia boasts well-rounded team
By Andrea Van Essen
At POET Bioprocessing – Laddonia, efficiency and impact are the drivers of everything the team does.
Since opening in 2006, the facility has grown steadily from producing 50 million gallons of bioethanol per year to 80 million gallons after a 2021 expansion. In addition, the plant produces an array of bioproducts, including biogenic CO2, which offers various food processing applications.
“We try to find the best use for every part of the kernel in everything we do,” said Steve Murphy, General Manager.
The Missouri plant began processing CO2 in 2013 at a rate of 100 tons per day and, as of 2024, has expanded to 300 tons per day, paired with dry ice manufacturing.
Murphy, who worked in automotive parts manufacturing before joining POET in 2009, said he appreciates the continuous evolution of the biofuels industry.
“I enjoy that the business is efficient and technology-driven compared to inventory-driven. We operate depending on the market conditions to make the best value, whether it’s making animal feed, corn oil, liquefied bioCO2, or bioethanol — we can move production around between those various buckets depending on what the market tells us it needs,” he said.
As general manager, Murphy said that gives him more opportunities for success.
“We’re making the same thing every day, but we’re making it better and better. Our evolution isn’t in style like it is with something like car parts, but in our efficiency as an economical product, a greener product, and more coproducts and bioproducts.”
Left: Team members at POET Bioprocessing – Laddonia
Efficiency also extends to the relationships POET develops with local producers. The plant works closely with area farmers, and Murphy said creating a positive experience for them is key.
“When people deliver corn, we want to be the destination of choice by making it an attractive, efficient operation for farmers to get in and out of, especially at harvest time when they're trying to get back to the field,” he said. “We try to make it as smooth and effortless as possible so that they want to keep coming back.”
It seems to be working.
Brad Callison is the commodity manager and has been with the plant since it opened. Over those nearly 18 years, he said the majority of producers have also been with them from the start.
“We work with around 1,000 producers, and I’d say 95 percent of that is repeat business. It’s humbling because we met a lot of people when we started, and we’ve gotten to watch the younger generations take over and fill those roles. We knew them when they were in school and have watched them mature over the years, becoming a key part of their family operation,” he said.
Local producers are the lifeline of our business. Callison said that, depending on the yields each year, the plant buys between 10 and 15 percent of its corn from commercial operations, but our focus is working with our local producers.
Working with individuals allows for enhanced personal relationships. Callison said he and his team have been invited to social functions like barbecues, church events, weddings, Fourth of July celebrations, and more simply because of the genuine relationships we have cultivated over time.
“We know some better than others, but it’s a matter of understanding what they want over time and trying to satisfy their needs. We’re always upfront with them, and they respect that because without them, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do,” he said.
He emphasized the experience and personalized service that his team members provide, noting that his grain merchandisers have all been with the company for five to ten years, and many of the team members have backgrounds in agriculture.
“It helps that producers are always talking to the same people when they call in, and we make it a point to meet every new producer in person,” Callison said.
By operating an efficient business and creating a positive experience for customers, the plant has become a premier employer, driving significant local economic impact.
With the CO2 expansion and the addition of dry ice manufacturing, POET added six people to the team, not including additional truck drivers to haul both the liquid and dry ice.
“In a small town, six new jobs is pretty important — jobs that come with benefits and aren’t going away. That’s the thing about the bioethanol industry — we have to be in rural areas where the corn is grown. We’re here for the long haul,” said Murphy.
He added that many jobs in the agriculture sector are seasonal, but the plant runs day in and day out.
“Anytime you can add jobs like that, it’s big for a rural community,” he said.
Callison emphasized the positive workplace culture.
“POET is very team member-oriented, and the culture they have is phenomenal. I hadn’t worked in a corporate environment until I started working here, and it was a big change and a very challenging one as well. It opened my eyes to a whole other type of business,” he said. “They’re very good to their people; they’ve been good to me and my family, and I’ve been blessed since the get-go. Plus, our POET Grain team at Laddonia is second to none in the business.”
He added that the community has always been supportive of the plant. “I think this area was hungry for what we had to offer. They’ve welcomed us with open arms.”
The plant buys 27 million bushels of corn per year, equaling over $100 million in local economic impact since the plant began.
“That’s a pretty big number — it’s a big number anywhere — but in a rural community, it’s especially impactful,” Murphy said.
In addition, POET Bioprocessing – Laddonia makes a point to give back to the community financially and through volunteer and educational outlets. Callison noted involvement in activities such as facilitating the POET Community Impact Grant program, sponsoring local sports teams, and sending out their corn trailer each weekend to fairs, picnics, ball games, and birthday parties.
On at least a monthly basis, the team hosts tours for everyone from local school groups and FFA chapters to university groups and political figures.
Left: Steve Murphy and Brad Callison stand outside the facility
“I think people drive by on the highway and wonder what we do, and I’m happy to answer that question,” Murphy said.
The plant gets international visitors as well, which Murphy attributed to the global reach of POET’s feed bioproducts.
“We’ve had tour groups from Taiwan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, the Philippines, Pakistan, Brazil, and Mexico. The fact that someone from Bangladesh would want to tour a plant in Laddonia, Missouri, shows our reach in the animal feed industry,” Murphy said.
Across the board, POET Bioprocessing – Laddonia has proven it knows how to make an impact as part of the POET team, creating positive experiences for team members, customers, and visitors alike.
“Our success and growth are a testament to the dedication of the team,” said Murphy. “I’m honored to lead this team. We at POET are incredibly proud to be a part of the Laddonia community, and we look forward to many more years of helping make our community and our world a better place.”
Christen Haley and Steve Murphy discuss bioproducts
UNDER THE HOOD
If A Little Bioethanol is Good for My Vehicle, More Must Be Better!
By Dr. Andrew Randolph, Technical Fellow at Richard Childress Racing
Bioethanol has many advantages compared to gasoline, including higher octane, lower cost, and reduced tailpipe emissions. This implies the more bioethanol the better — however, there’s more to the story!
Gasoline contains hundreds of components, the relative concentrations of which are varied to achieve desired characteristics. For instance, premium gasoline contains higher concentrations of expensive, higher-octane aromatic hydrocarbons. Winter blends of gasoline contain increased lighter hydrocarbons (molecules with four to six carbon atoms) to increase volatility. Summer blends of gasoline contain increased heavier hydrocarbons (molecules with eight to twelve carbon atoms) to decrease volatility. Bioethanol contains only one component; thus, the physical properties cannot be altered.
Figure 1 on the next page shows fuel volatility as a function of bioethanol content in gasoline/bioethanol blends. Zero percent corresponds to pure gasoline, and 100% corresponds to pure bioethanol. Most chemical properties vary in direct proportion to the quantities of the various ingredients, but vapor pressure behaves differently. Adding bioethanol to gasoline increases vapor pressure in low concentrations, reaching a maximum at around 10%. Adding additional bioethanol reduces vapor pressure, with pure bioethanol having about 74% less vapor pressure than pure gasoline.
Why is this important? Spark ignition engines rely on fuel vapor mixing with air to create a combustible mixture during starting. If the vapor pressure of the fuel is too low, it becomes very difficult to start. Because vapor pressure varies with ambient temperature, low vapor pressure fuels cause engine starting issues in cold weather. High vapor pressure fuels start well but increase evaporative emissions. Thus, there is a “sweet spot” for vapor pressure, comprising pure gasoline and bioethanol/gasoline blends up to about 60% bioethanol.
An example of this is E85. Most consumers assume that E85 implies a blend of 15% gasoline with 85% bioethanol. In reality, concentrations of bioethanol in E85 are always lower than 85% to maintain sufficient vapor pressure. In cold climates, E85 can have as little as 51% bioethanol. Note that in Figure 1, a blend of 49% gasoline with 51% bioethanol produces a vapor pressure similar to pure gasoline, with vapor pressure dropping rapidly as the bioethanol percentage increases.
Higher blends of bioethanol mean more power and lower harmful emissions. It is an all-around better fuel than traditional gasoline, which is why all NASCAR racecars run on E15 and would use a greater percentage if the rules allowed. For drivers, this means high-quality fuel that is affordable and good for your vehicle.
In conclusion, higher concentrations of bioethanol mixed with gasoline produce better fuel, provided that vapor pressure is sufficient. Bioethanol shines with benefits like higher octane and cleaner emissions, helping to fuel a brighter tomorrow, one gallon at a time.
Figure 1. Fuel volatility as a function of bioethanol content in gasoline/bioethanol blends
Why I Give: Paulette Anderson
By Matt Ward, POET Government Affairs Manager
Policy and legislation have always played key roles in shaping the future of agriculture and energy. As rules and laws are crafted to shape these industries' futures, political advocacy becomes increasingly crucial. At the forefront of the renewable energy movement is POET’s Political Action Committee (PAC), a pivotal force in championing biofuels policies and supporting leaders who prioritize agriculture.
Paulette Anderson, Administrative Coordinator at POET Bioprocessing – Glenville, shares why she gives, the importance of supporting POET’s PAC, and how donating even a little amplifies the voices of those dedicated to advancing biofuels and agriculture.
Please introduce yourself and tell us how long you’ve been at POET.
My name is Paulette Anderson, and I’m the Administrative Coordinator at POET Bioprocessing in Glennville, MN. I started here in April 2002, so I’ve been here a little over 22 years.
How long have you been involved with POET PAC?
I’m not quite sure what year it was when they first started informing team members about POET PAC, but when they did, I jumped on board. For about 15 years or so, I’ve participated.
Why did you feel it was important to support POET PAC?
I felt it was important to contribute because I truly believe in the bioethanol industry and believe in my employer, POET. I’m really proud to be a part of that.
Participating is voluntary, and there are no requirements for how much to donate to POET PAC. There are no requirements of how much you need to donate to POET PAC. Some people donate as little as $1 per pay period; some do a lot more than that, $5, $10, $15, or more. Yes, the monetary amount helps, but also the legislators look at the participation. So regardless of amount, when you contribute what you can, that and the participation really are a positive.
Why should others contribute to POET PAC?
I personally am such a true believer in POET PAC that I think all team members and those who are impacted by or involved in the biofuels industry should consider contributing. Policy changes can, and have, had an impact on all of us over the years. POET PAC allows us to amplify our voice in support of not just POET, but also the biofuels industry as a whole, agriculture, and the communities we call home. When we support candidates who champion biofuels, we all win.
Administrative Coordinator and PAC Supporter, Paulette Anderson, from POET Bioprocessing – Glenville
HOW DO I JOIN?
Ready to join the thousands of members who are already making their voices heard? Visit www.poetpac.com or email poetpac@poet.com to join POET PAC today!
Contributions to POET PAC are not tax-deductible for federal income tax purposes. Contributions to POET PAC will be used in connection with federal elections and are subject to the limits and prohibitions of federal law. The maximum an individual may contribute to POET PAC is $5,000 per year ($10,000 per couple). Corporate and foreign national contributions are not permitted under federal law. Please make checks payable to POET PAC. Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to obtain and report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer for each individual whose contributions aggregate in excess of $200 per calendar year. Your contribution to POET PAC is strictly voluntary.
PAID FOR BY POET PAC
OUT OF LEFT FIELD
Shot In the Arm
By Scott Johnson, A Thinker of Thoughts (and POET Data Systems Administrator)
I was lying in the MRI machine, anxiously awaiting my fate. The dulcet tones of Norah Jones were attempting to soothe my rattled nerves. The MRI technician asked me to choose music most likely to distract me from the obnoxious buzz of the MRI. I was just as likely to blurt out “Panic! at the Disco," but luckily, that musical option didn’t enter my mind before Norah Jones popped in.
I didn’t know how this worked. It was my first MRI.
I should clarify — this MRI was not for anything serious. My appointment was to determine if I would need shoulder surgery or not. I had been fighting moderately debilitating shoulder pain for the past year. I first felt a sharp pain during an intense weight-lifting session (because that sounds cooler than I was trying to carry all the groceries in one trip).
And while ignoring pain until it goes away is typically a successful strategy for me, this time, the method proved unsuccessful. Whenever I lifted my arm or shifted a certain way, I winced and whined through the pain. Occasionally, I released a dramatic yelp that far outweighed the demands of the activity.
Did someone step on the cat’s tail?
No, I think Dad was just trying to put on a sweater.
The MRI seemed like a formality. I was already convinced I had a torn rotator cuff. The Internet told me so. And the Internet is always right, occasionally.
Does your shoulder hurt when you do this? Yes.
Can you move your arm like that? No.
Bang — you have a torn rotator cuff! You’ll need surgery. Cancel all tee times for the next six months. Better make it a year. In fact, sell your golf clubs and take up birdwatching.
I assumed this reality was a foregone conclusion. I assumed it would be months before I could hang drywall or perform the “YMCA” during a timeout of a sporting event. I planned for the worst. And worse, I didn’t plan for much of anything at all. Why make plans when my future seemed so bleak?
But I was pleasantly blindsided at my followup appointment. No rotator cuff tear. No need for surgery. Apparently, I was “fine” (other than constant pain and limited mobility).
The doctor announced, “We can fix it TODAY with a cortisone injection to your shoulder.”
I asked, “TODAY?! Why didn’t we do this a year ago?”
The doctor replied, “I don’t know. This is your Vital story.”
The next day, the swelling had subsided. I wiggled my shoulder in various motions. I lifted my arms above my head. No pain. I changed lightbulbs. I opened a jar of pickles (even though we had a semi-full open jar in the fridge, but it was worth it). My future was abruptly reopened for business.
It was a much-needed shot in the arm.
YOUR FEED POSSIBILITIES
Animals require a well-rounded nutritional diet, and each species has different needs - which is why POET offers a wide variety of feed products to match application uses and price points
poet.com/f eed
W ith superior quality and consistency you can depend on, we offer easy access to a variety of products to meet your feed ingredient needs and help you get desired results
