In its 3rd year, the POET Tree program reminded 4th graders in POET Biorefinery communities of the importance of planting trees and taking care of the environment. Several biorefineries hosted tree planting events around Arbor Day to celebrate with their local students.
For the second consecutive year, POET also partnered with South Dakota Road Trip, an educational program aimed at teaching 4th graders in S.D. more about their state. Each student that signed up for South Dakota Road Trip received a seedling to take home to plant – totaling over 9,000 trees!
HANLONTOWN
POET Biorefining – Hanlontown, Iowa hosted the 4th grade class from Central Springs Community School from Manly for the 3rd Annual POET Tree Planting on Tuesday, April 24. Five linden trees and two crabapple trees were planted in Hanlontown.
BIG STONE
POET Biorefining – Big Stone, S.D. hosted the 4th graders from Big Stone City on Wednesday, April 25 for a tree planting. The students helped plant three Colorado Spruce trees on-site at the POET Biorefinery. The students also took the opportunity to learn more about ethanol by asking questions regarding the ethanol process and the different activities that take place at an ethanol plant.
MITCHELL
In honor of Arbor Day, 21 enthusiastic students from LB Williams Elementary in Mitchell, S.D. planted two fruit trees at POET Biorefining – Mitchell.
BINGHAM LAKE
POET Biorefining – Bingham Lake, Minn. hosted 78 students who helped plant a variegated maple tree. Each student also took a purple lilac seedling home with them. After the tree planting, General Manager Jim Basiliere showed the students the difference between a jar of oil and a jar of ethanol and explained the benefits of ethanol to the environment.
CLOVERDALE
POET Biorefining – Cloverdale, Ind. hosted students from the Central Elementary Environmental Club for a POET Tree event on Arbor Day, Friday, April 27th. The students helped General Manager Dave Brooks plant a cherry tree at the POET Biorefinery and each student was given a serviceberry tree to take home to plant on their own.
ALEXANDRIA
POET Biorefining – Alexandria, Ind. celebrated Arbor Day in a big way. The team in Alexandria hosted nearly 150 4th graders from the Alexandria/Monroe and Summitville School systems. Dan McMahan, Plant Manager, educated the group about the benefits of ethanol before jumping into the tree planting. With so many helpers, a lucky fourth grader from each school was designated to help Dan plant the tree, then lunch was served to everyone.
GOWRIE
POET Biorefining – Gowrie, Iowa celebrated Arbor Day with a POET Tree event at Prairie Valley Middle School in Farnhamville on Friday, April 27th. The middle school students from Southeast Webster Grand in Dayton also joined the celebration. General Manager Gary Eischeid spoke to the students about POET, the importance of ethanol and a cleaner greener environment. Each of the 4th graders, along with their teachers, took home a Red Oak seedling to plant. It came to a total of 82 trees for a greener tomorrow!
CHANCELLOR
With the help of 4th graders from Lennox Elementary School, POET Biorefining – Chancellor, S.D. planted three Colorado Spruce trees at the Biorefinery to celebrate Arbor Day.
JEWELL
POET Biorefining – Jewell, Iowa celebrated Arbor Day with the 4th grade class at South Hamilton Elementary. The team in Jewell and the students had a great discussion on the importance of trees in all aspects of their lives. Following the discussion each student was presented with a Red Oak seedling to take home to plant.
MACON
This year, POET Biorefining – Macon, Mo. celebrated Arbor Day with 110 4th graders and teachers from Macon Public Schools and Tri-County Christian School in Macon. On May 2, the Biorefinery hosted a POET Tree event where trees were planted on site.
CORNING
Christy Green and Polly Sproles from POET Biorefining – Corning, Iowa were on hand at Enarson Elementary School in Villisca to host the POET Tree planting. After planting trees at the school, each 4th grader was given a tree to take home to plant.
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