Indiana corn farmers are helping power the Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay as sponsors of the E85 fuel keeping the torch burning brightly as it travels through Indiana’s 92 counties over the next 35 days. “Indiana corn farmers are proud to support the Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay, to celebrate our state’s 200 years of history while drawing attention to the important role corn farming and ethanol plays not only in rural Indiana, but also to Indiana’s overall economy,” said David Gottbrath, a farmer from Washington County and president of Indiana Corn Marketing Council.
The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay began September 9 at Indiana’s first capital of Corydon in Harrison County and ends in Indianapolis on October 15. The torch used in the relay was designed by a team at Purdue University and is fueled by an ethanol-blended fuel, a fuel that starts with corn from Indiana farmers. “The E85 fuel used in the torch is the same fuel that can be found at more than 200 fuel retail locations across Indiana and can be used by the 500,000 Flex Fuel Vehicles on the road here in Indiana,” said Gottbrath. The Indiana Corn Marketing Council, the state’s corn checkoff organization, is a sponsor of the Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay to help raise awareness of the benefits of Indiana-grown, Indiana-produced ethanol. The torch will travel an average of 97 miles per day, stopping in each Indiana county.
At each relay stop, Hoosiers will have an opportunity to take a selfie photo with the torch with a caption that reads “Let’s Clear the Air,” to promote the environmental and economic benefits ethanol brings to Indiana and its residents. “Ethanol not only contributes to Indiana’s economy and benefits local communities with jobs and tax revenue, it also contributes to a cleaner environment; and that’s why we’re excited to have it fuel the relay’s torch,” said Gottbrath.
Indiana corn farmers have been an integral part of the state’s history over the past 200 years, contributing to Indiana’s economy and culture. Indiana is home to 14 ethanol plants and will produce one billion gallons of ethanol this year.