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                                                                    Exhibit 10.1

                                LETTER OF INTENT

DATE:       7/23/01

PARTIES:    FAGEN, INC. of Granite Falls, MN and EAST KANSAS AGRI ENERGY of
(Owner)     Garnett, KS

       Owner is a committee of farmers and business people formed to facilitate
       the development and building of a locally-owned 20 MGY ethanol plant in
       Kansas (the facility).

       Fagen, Inc. is an engineering and construction firm capable of providing
       development assistance, as well as constructing the Facility being
       considered by Owner.

       ICM, Inc. is a leader in ethanol plant process technology. ICM, Inc. also
       provides state of the art grain drying and wastewater treatment
       equipment.

       Owner, and Fagen, Inc. (Fagen) agree to using best efforts in jointly
       developing this project under the following terms:

            1.    Owner agrees that Fagen will Design/Build the Facility if
                  determined by Owner to be feasible and if adequate financing
                  is obtained.

            2.    Fagen will provide Owner with assistance in evaluating, from
                  both a technical and business perspective

                  -    Owner organizational options,
                  -    The appropriate location of the proposed Facility, and
                  -    Business Plan development

            3.    Fagen agrees to Design/Build the Facility at a capital cost as
                  shown on the attached Exhibit 1.

            4.    Fagen shall assist Owner in locating appropriate management
                  personnel and/or supply contract management for the Facility.

            5.    Fagen will assist Owner in presenting information to potential
                  investors, potential lenders, and various entities or agencies
                  that may provide project development assistance. We have a
                  long working relationship with an investment banking firm that
                  specializes in agricultural related project financing.

            6.    This Letter of Intent shall terminate on July 31, 2002 unless
                  the basic size and design of the Facility have been determined
                  and mutually agreed upon, and a specific site or sites have
                  been determined and mutually agreed upon, and at least 10% of
                  the necessary equity has been raised. Furthermore, this Letter
                  of Intent shall terminate on July 31, 2003 unless total
                  financing for the Facility has been secured. Either of the
                  aforementioned dates may be extended upon mutual agreement of
                  the parties.

Letter of Intent                                                     Page 1 of 3

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            East Kansas Agri Energy

            By:
               ------------------------------------

            Its:
                -----------------------------------

            Date:
                 ----------------------------------


            Fagen, Inc.

            By:
               ------------------------------------

            Its:
                -----------------------------------

            Date:
                 ----------------------------------

Letter of Intent                                                     Page 2 of 3

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                                   FAGEN INC.
                                  July 23, 2001

                 ESTIMATED SOURCES AND USES OF FUNDS STATEMENT*

<Table>
                                                                          
SOURCES OF FUNDS
  Equity                                                                                    40%
            Cash & Equity Equivalents                                           $   13,120,000
            Long Term Debt                                                      $   19,680,000
                                                                               ---------------
TOTAL SOURCES OF FUNDS                                                          $   32,800,000

USES OF FUNDS
DESIGN CONSTRUCTION & STARTUP
  Plant Construction (GMP)                                                      $   28,000,000
  Land & Site - Developmental Cost (Est.)                                       $      950,000
  Startup Costs
            Corn (10 days @ $2.25)                 $   450,000
            Enzymes, Chemicals and other           $   250,000
            Other Startup Costs                    $   650,000
SUBTOTAL                                                                        $    1,350,000

ORGANIZATIONAL & FINANCING
  Financing Costs                                  $ 1,300,000
  Organizational Costs                             $   350,000
  Miscellaneous Costs                              $   250,000
  Owners Contingency                               $   600,000
  SUBTOTAL                                                                      $    2,500,000
                                                                               ---------------
TOTAL USES OF FUNDS                                                             $   32,800,000

Options:
  Thermal Oxidizer                                 $   250,000
</Table>

* General Assumptions: Land & site development, startup, and organizational &
financing costs are estimated. Owner provides all access roads including the
plant perimeter road, rail systems, substation if required, electrical
distribution/transformers, gas line(s), water supply/pretreatment to & waste
water systems (septic) from the designated areas within the plant site. Assumes
non-winter conditions for earthwork, concrete & building erection. Other
conditions may apply in the definitive construction agreement.

Letter of Intent                                                     Page 3 of 3