Nebraska’s KAAPA Ethanol LLC is celebrating its 15th anniversary this week.

The farmer-owned company operates two Nebraska biorefineries. Its Minden plant produces 80 million gallons of ethanol from 27 million bushels of corn per year and has 37 employees. The company’s Ravenna plant produces more than 125 million gallons of ethanol from 42 million bushels of corn per year and has 50 employees. KAAPA is also a major supplier of distillers grains, a valuable animal feed co-product that has helped Nebraska’s beef industry thrive.

KAAPA Ethanol also operates a grain elevator in Elm Creek, Neb., and is in the process of building a new central office in Kearney, Neb., slated to be completed later this year. The company is also the largest stockholder in Guardian Energy, which manages three ethanol plants in Minnesota and Ohio.

KAAPA CEO Chuck Woodside is a past chairman of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). “For 15 years, KAAPA Ethanol has been a leading voice and effective advocate for the ethanol industry and value-added agriculture,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Congratulations to KAAPA Ethanol’s visionary leaders, passionate farmer investors, and hardworking employees for reaching this tremendous milestone, and best wishes for many more successful years to come.”