**Exhibit10.36**

December 15, 2006

Mr. Steve Gardner

8928 Hirning Road

Lenexa, KS  66220

Dear Steve,

On behalf of EastKansas Agri-Energy, LLC (EKAE), I am happy to extend a conditional offer ofemployment to you for the position of General Manager.   This offer is conditioned upon a favorabledrug screen.  It is anticipated that thedefinitive employment agreement would include the following general terms andprovisions:

**Position; Duties.**   Your position will be General Manager andyou will report directly to the Board of Directors of the Company.  Your duties and responsibilities will be asdesignated by the Board of Directors and will include the duties we havepreviously discussed.  In addition, Ihave attached the job description for the position which identifies the majorresponsibilities of the position.

**Full Time Employment.**  Your employment will begin after theabove-described contingency has been satisfied at a date determined by theBoard of Directors of the Company (the “Commencement Date”).  It is currently expected that this date willJanuary 15, 2007.

**Compensation****.**  Yourcompensation will include a base salary of $125,000 per annum with annualreviews.  After Year 1, your annual basesalary may be adjusted as determined by the Board of Directors.  Your salary will be paid consistent with theCompany’s payroll practices.

**Annual Incentives.**  You will also be entitled to a bonus of 25%of your base salary based on performance guidelines that will be determined bythe Board of Directors in its discretion. Anybonus salary will be paid quarterly consistent with the Company’s payrollpractices.

**OtherBenefits.**  You willbe entitled to participate in any benefit plan adopted by the Company subject to eligibility requirements imposedby the plans, including:

·                  SIMPLE 401(k retirement planparticipation.  The Company will make a matching contribution of 3% ofparticipants’ eligible wages.  The employees are fully vested uponcontribution to the plan.

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December 15, 2006

Mr. Steve Gardner

continued

 

·                  Group medicaland dental insurance plan (currently with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas with80% of the premium paid by EKAE)

·                  Vision insurance

·                  Group term lifeinsurance equal to 1 1⁄2 times your salary paid by EKAE

The Company shall have the sole discretion in adoptingor amending any benefit plan, including, without limitation, any 401(k) savingsor other retirement plan.

You will also be entitled tosick leave and paid time off (PTO) to be used for vacations, holidaysand other time away from the plant other than illness.  PTO will accrue at the rate of 7.0 hours perpay period ( 7.0hrs X 26 pay periods = 182.0 hours.  64 hours of paid holiday and 118 hours ofvacation i.e. 14.75 days).  Sick leavewill accrue at the rate of 4.0 hours per pay period.

In addition, you will be provided the following for relocation:

·                  reimbursementfor all relocation expenses (moving van, U-Haul, motel, etc.) actually incurredin relocating your residence to within 40 miles of Garnett, KS

·                  $2,500 stipendto cover incidentals associated with the relocation

·                  Realtor feesassociated with the sale of your home in Kansas City

·                  Reasonable andcustomary fees associated with buying a house within the Garnett area — not toinclude expenses that would normally be paid by the buyer i.e. prepaids,points, etc.

All of the above relocation amounts paid to you byEKAE shall be refunded to EKAE if you leave the employment of EKAE prior to thefirst anniversary of the Commencement Date. One-half of such relocation amounts paid to you shall be refunded toEKAE if you leave the employment of EKAE prior to the second anniversary of theCommencement Date.

EKAEalso anticipates adopting executive retention plan(s) for its keyemployees.  As General Manager, you willbe entitled to participate in such retention plan and programs to the extentEKAE offers such plans, in its sole discretion. The terms and conditions of any executive retention plan will be definedin the final negotiated plan agreement.

**Employment at Will.**  Your employment will be at will, which meansthat either you or EKAE may terminate your employment at any time and for anyreason or for no reason.

1304 S. Main      Garnett, KS 66032          785-448-2888

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December 15, 2006

Mr. Steve Gardner

continued

**Confidentiality Agreement**.  You will be subject to EKAE’s ConfidentialityAgreement, which is enclosed with this letter and must be signed and returnedby you before any confidential information of EKAE will be provided to you.

**Certain Acts**.  During your employment with EKAE and for one(1) year after its termination, you will not (i) directly or indirectly engagein activity that is competitive with EKAE’s present or contemplated business,nor will you plan or organize any competitive business activity; or (ii)directly or indirectly solicit or encourage any employee, agent, independentcontractor, supplier, customer, consultant or any other person or company toterminate or alter a relationship with EKAE without EKAE’s express writtenconsent.  During your employment withEKAE, you will not enter into any agreement, which conflicts with your dutiesor obligations to EKAE.

**No Inconsistent Obligations**.  By signing below, you represent that (i) youare aware of no obligations legal or otherwise, inconsistent with the terms ofyour employment or with your undertaking employment with EKAE; (ii) you willnot disclose to EKAE, or use, or induce EKAE to use, any proprietaryinformation or trade secrets of others; and (iii) you have returned allproprietary and confidential information belonging to all prior employers.

All other termsand conditions of your employment shall be contained in the policies adopted bythe Board of Directors as part of its Employee Handbook covering all employeesof EKAE.

Should you haveany questions regarding the specifics of this offer or anything concerning youremployment at East Kansas Agri-Energy, LLC, please contact me at the office —(785) 448-2888 or toll free (877) 352-3552.

Steve, I hope thatthis meets with your approval.  We areexcited about you joining the team at East Kansas and look forward to seeingyou sometime next week.

Best regards,
| /s/ Tom  Leitnaker |   |   |
|--------------------|--------|--------|

Tom Leitnaker

Chief FinancialOfficer

1304 S. Main      Garnett, KS 66032          785-448-2888

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December 15, 2006

Mr. Steve Gardner

Continued

 

I agree with theterms of the employment offer from East Kansas Agri-Energy, LLC.
| /s/ Steve Gardner |   | Dated  | 12/19/06 |   |
|-------------------|--------|--------|----------|--------|
| Steve Gardner     |   |   |     |   |

 

1304 S. Main      Garnett, KS 66032          785-448-2888

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