UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported):  January 28, 2012

Heron Lake BioEnergy, LLC

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Minnesota

(State Or Other Jurisdiction Of Incorporation)

(507) 793-0077

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d- 2(b))

o    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Items under Sections 1 through 4 and 6 through 9 are not applicable and therefore omitted.

Robert J. Ferguson has served as the interim and then board-appointed Chief Executive Officer of Heron Lake BioEnergy, LLC (the “Company”) since 2007.  Mr. Ferguson is also an original member of the Company’s Board of Governors, served as Board President from 2003 to 2011, and continues to serve as a member of the Company’s Board of Governors.

On January 28, 2012, Mr. Ferguson announced his intent to retire from his position as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, effective March 23, 2012, subject to any transition services the Board of Governors may request Mr. Ferguson to perform after the effective date.  Mr. Ferguson’s decision to retire was for personal reasons and unrelated to any disagreement regarding the Company’s operations, policies or practices.  The Company’s Board of Governors has not yet selected a new principal executive officer.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

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