The State of Minnesota was awarded the Coalition's annual Leadership Award for its outstanding contributions to ethanol production and market development.  At the November meeting of the Coalition, Sharon Clarke of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture accepted the award on Governor Jesse Ventura's behalf.  "Minnesota's successful ethanol program has bolstered Minnesota farmers and Minnesota's environment," said Ventura in a letter read at the meeting.  "From the start, the goal of our ethanol program was to help develop a new market for corn, the state's largest crop.  Minnesota's 14 ethanol plants - 12 of which are owned by farmers - together can produce more than 240 million gallons of ethanol annually." 

"One of the best indications of this program's success is the national and international attention it has received.  Our ethanol program has been studied and used as a model by states as far away as Montana, Texas, New Jersey, North Carolina and Hawaii.  We've even hosted visitors from Lithuania, Thailand, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Nigeria and South Africa," Ventura said.  "We're proud of our success, and we thank you for this recognition," Ventura said.