Vilsack and Strickland took part in a roundtable discussion with groups including POET, the Ohio Corn Growers Association, Ohio Ethanol Producers Association and the Ohio Department of Agriculture as well as the federal Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Ethanol has a positive impact on rural economies, national security and the environment Vilsack said, and there's room to grow.

"We are working at USDA to develop a roadmap for how to build that [ethanol] nationwide industry," he said. "We understand it starts with allowing the capacity we have today to maximize its input. That means increasing the blend rate to 15 percent. I have been advocating for that, will continue to advocate for that, and I believe it will happen. Obviously I wish it had had happened now, but I believe it will happen sometime this fall."

Strickland said he's seen those effects in Ohio.

"POET is a great company," Strickland said. "I'm glad it's in Ohio and I will continue to support the industry."

For photos of the visit, go to POET's flickr page.