VERASUN ENERGY CORPORATION Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreement

VERASUN ENERGY CORPORATION

Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreement

     This Agreement is between VeraSun Energy Corporation, a South Dakota corporation (the “Company”), and                      (the “Optionee”), pursuant to the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Company and the Optionee agree as follows:

     1. Option Grant. The Company grants to the Optionee on the terms and conditions of this Agreement the right and the option (the “Option”) to purchase all or any part of                      shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a purchase price of $                     per share. The terms and conditions of the Option grant set forth in attached Exhibit A are incorporated into and made a part of this Agreement. The Option is intended not to be an Incentive Stock Option as defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     2. Grant Date; Expiration Date. The Grant Date for this Option is                     . The Option shall continue in effect until the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date (the “Expiration Date”) unless earlier terminated as provided in Sections 2, 3, 7 or 8 of Exhibit A. The Option shall not be exercisable on or after the Expiration Date.

     3. Exercise of Option. The Vesting Reference Date of this Option is                     . The Option will become exercisable in accordance with Section 1 of Exhibit A.

     The parties have executed this Agreement in duplicate as of the Grant Date.

VERASUN ENERGY CORPORATION				OPTIONEE
By:				Name:
Name:				Address:
Title:
		000 00xx Xxxxxx
		Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000

VERASUN ENERGY CORPORATION

Exhibit A to
Stock Option Agreement

     1. Time of Exercise of Option.

          1.1 Vesting Schedule. Until it expires or is terminated as provided in Sections 2, 3, 7 or 8 of this Exhibit A, the Option may be exercised from time to time to purchase whole shares as to which it has become exercisable. The Option shall become exercisable for ___% of the shares on the first anniversary of the Vesting Reference Date, ___% of the shares on the second anniversary of the Vesting Reference Date, ___% of the shares on the third anniversary of the Vesting Reference Date, ___% of the shares on the fourth anniversary of the Vesting Reference Date, and ___% of the shares on the fifth anniversary of the Vesting Reference Date, so that the Option will be fully exercisable with respect to all of the shares on                     .

          1.2 Early Vesting. Notwithstanding Section 1.1, the Option shall become fully exercisable if, during the period beginning two months before a Change of Control and ending 12 months after a Change in Control, Optionee’s employment by the Company shall be terminated (A) by the Company other than for Cause, Total Disability or death or (B) by Optionee for Good Reason based on an event occurring during such period.

          1.3 Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified.

     (A) “Cause” shall mean (1) the willful and continued failure by Optionee substantially to perform Optionee’s reasonably assigned duties with the Company, other than a failure resulting from Optionee’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness or impairment, after a written demand for performance has been delivered to Optionee by the Chief Executive Officer or the President which specifically identifies the manner in which the CEO or the President believes that Optionee has not substantially performed Optionee’s duties, or (2) the willful engagement by Optionee in illegal conduct, or the conviction of guilty or entering of a nolo contendere plea to a felony, which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company, (3) the willful failure by Optionee to follow material written Company policies or (4) the commission of an act by Optionee, or the failure by Optionee to act, which constitutes gross negligence or gross misconduct. For purposes of this definition, no act, or failure to act, on Optionee’s part shall be considered “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by Optionee in bad faith.

     (B) “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:

     (1) The approval by the shareholders of the Company of:

     (a) any consolidation, merger or plan of share exchange involving the Company (a “Merger”) as a result of which the holders of

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outstanding securities of the Company ordinarily having the right to vote for the election of directors (“Voting Securities”) immediately prior to the Merger do not continue to hold at least 50% of the combined voting power of the outstanding Voting Securities of the surviving or continuing entity immediately after the Merger, disregarding any Voting Securities issued or retained by such holders in respect of securities of any other party to the Merger;

     (b) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially all, the assets of the Company; or

     (c) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

     (2) At any time during a period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors of the Company (“Incumbent Directors”) shall cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof; provided, however, that the term “Incumbent Director” shall also include each new director elected during such two-year period whose nomination or election was approved by two-thirds of the Incumbent Directors then in office; or

     (3) Any “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Act”)) shall, as a result of a tender or exchange offer, open market purchases or privately negotiated purchases from anyone other than the Company, have become the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly or indirectly, of Voting Securities representing twenty percent (20%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding Voting Securities.

     (C) “Good Reason” shall mean:

     (1) a diminution of Optionee’s status, title, position(s) or responsibilities from Optionee’s status, title, position(s) and responsibilities as in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control (or two months before the Change in Control) or the assignment to Optionee of any duties or responsibilities which are inconsistent with such status, title, position(s) or responsibilities, or any removal of Optionee from such position(s), except in connection with the termination of Optionee’s employment for Cause, Total Disability or as a result of Optionee’s death or voluntarily by Optionee other than for Good Reason and provided that Good Reason shall not exist if Optionee has the same status, title, position(s) and responsibilities after the Change in Control but the Company is no longer a publicly held company or is a wholly owned subsidiary of another company;

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     (2) a reduction by the Company in Optionee’s rate of base salary, bonus or incentive opportunity (other than as part of any general salary reduction that may be implemented for all of the Company’s employees) or a substantial reduction in benefits other than a reduction in benefits applicable to substantially all employees; or

     (3) the Company’s requiring Optionee to be based anywhere other than the                      area except for reasonably required travel on the Company’s business.

     (D) “Total Disability” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

     2. Termination of Employment or Service.

          2.1 General Rule. Except as provided in this Section 2, the Option may not be exercised unless at the time of exercise the Optionee is employed by or in the service of the Company and shall have been so employed or provided such service continuously since the Grant Date. For purposes of this Exhibit A, the Optionee is considered to be employed by or in the service of the Company if the Optionee is employed by or in the service of the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company (an “Employer”).

          2.2 Termination Generally. If the Optionee’s employment or service with the Company terminates for any reason other than because of Total Disability or death as provided in Sections 2.3 or 2.4, the Option may be exercised at any time before the Expiration Date or the expiration of 90 days after the date of termination, whichever is the shorter period, but only if and to the extent the Optionee was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of termination.

          2.3 Termination Because of Total Disability. If the Optionee’s employment or service with the Company terminates because of Total Disability, the Option may be exercised at any time before the Expiration Date or before the date 12 months after the date of termination, whichever is the shorter period, but only if and to the extent the Optionee was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of termination. The term “Total Disability” means a medically determinable mental or physical impairment that is expected to result in death or has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of 12 months or more and that, in the opinion of the Company and two independent physicians, causes the Optionee to be unable to perform duties as an employee, director, officer or consultant of the Employer and unable to be engaged in any substantial gainful activity. Total Disability shall be deemed to have occurred on the first day after the two independent physicians have furnished their written opinion of Total Disability to the Company and the Company has reached an opinion of Total Disability.

          2.4 Termination Because of Death. If the Optionee dies while employed by or in the service of the Company, the Option may be exercised at any time before the Expiration Date or before the date 12 months after the date of death, whichever is the shorter period, but only if and to the extent the Optionee was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of death and only by the person or persons to whom the Optionee’s rights under the Option shall pass by the

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Optionee’s will or by the laws of descent and distribution of the state or country of domicile at the time of death.

          2.5 Leave of Absence. Absence on leave approved by the Employer or on account of illness or disability shall not be deemed a termination or interruption of employment or service. Vesting of the Option shall continue during a medical, family or military leave of absence, whether paid or unpaid, and vesting of the Option shall be suspended during any other unpaid leave of absence.

          2.6 Failure to Exercise Option. To the extent that following termination of employment or service, the Option is not exercised within the applicable periods described above, all further rights to purchase shares pursuant to the Option shall cease and terminate.

     3. Termination of Option on Violation of Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Optionee acknowledges that compliance with the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is a condition to the receipt, vesting and exercise of the Option. If, during the term of the Option, the Board of Directors (or a committee of directors designated by the Board of Directors) determines in good faith that Optionee’s conduct is or has been in violation of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, then the Board of Directors or designated committee may terminate the Option, with the date of termination determined by the Board of Directors or committee. If the Option is terminated in accordance with this Section 3, Optionee will have no further right to acquire shares of Company stock under this Agreement. If the Chief Executive Officer or President of the Company reasonably believes that the Optionee has violated the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and that the Board of Directors or its committee should consider the termination of the Option, the Chief Executive Officer or President may temporarily suspend the Optionee’s right to exercise the Option, for a period of up to 45 days, in order for the Board of Directors or its committee to make a determination about Optionee’s conduct and the potential termination of the Option.

     4. Method of Exercise of Option. The Option may be exercised only by notice in writing from the Optionee to the Company of the Optionee’s binding commitment to purchase shares, specifying the number of shares the Optionee desires to purchase under the Option and the date on which the Optionee agrees to complete the transaction, which may not be more than 30 days after delivery of the notice, and, if required to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, containing a representation that it is the Optionee’s intention to acquire the shares for investment and not with a view to distribution. On or before the date specified for completion of the purchase, the Optionee must pay the Company the full purchase price of those shares in cash or by check, or in whole or in part in Common Stock of the Company valued at fair market value provided such Common Stock has been previously acquired and held by the Optionee for at least six months. The fair market value of Common Stock provided in payment of the purchase price shall be the closing price of the Common Stock last reported before the time payment in Common Stock is made or, if earlier, committed to be made, if the Common Stock is publicly traded, or another value of the Common Stock as specified by the Board of Directors. No shares shall be issued until full payment for the shares has been made, including all amounts owed for tax withholding. The Optionee shall, immediately upon notification of the amount due, if any, pay to the Company in cash or by check amounts necessary to satisfy any applicable federal, state and local tax withholding requirements. If additional withholding is or becomes required

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(as a result of exercise of the Option or as a result of disposition of shares acquired pursuant to exercise of the Option) beyond any amount deposited before delivery of the certificates, the Optionee shall pay such amount to the Company, in cash or by check, on demand. If the Optionee fails to pay the amount demanded, the Company or the Employer may withhold that amount from other amounts payable to the Optionee, including salary, subject to applicable law.

     5. Nontransferability. The Option is nonassignable and nontransferable by the Optionee, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution of the state or country of the Optionee’s domicile at the time of death, and during the Optionee’s lifetime, the Option is exercisable only by the Optionee.

     6. Stock Splits, Stock Dividends. If the outstanding Common Stock of the Company is hereafter increased or decreased or changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the Company by reason of any stock split, combination of shares, dividend payable in shares, recapitalization or reclassification, appropriate adjustment shall be made by the Company in (i) the number and kind of shares subject to the Option, or the unexercised portion thereof, and (ii) the Option price per share, so that the Optionee’s proportionate interest before and after the occurrence of the event is maintained. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no obligation to effect any adjustment that would or might result in the issuance of fractional shares, and any fractional shares resulting from any adjustment may be disregarded or provided for in any manner determined by the Company. Any such adjustments made by the Company shall be conclusive.

     7. Mergers, Reorganizations, Etc. In the event of a merger, consolidation, plan of exchange, acquisition of property or stock, split-up, split-off, spin-off, reorganization or liquidation to which the Company is a party or any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Company (each, a “Transaction”), the Company shall, in its sole discretion and to the extent possible under the structure of the Transaction, select one of the following alternatives for treating the Option:

          7.1 The Option shall remain in effect in accordance with its terms.

          7.2 The Option shall be converted into an option to purchase stock or other equity interest in one or more of the corporations or other entities, including the Company, that are the surviving or acquiring entities in the Transaction. The amount, type of securities subject thereto and exercise price of the converted Option shall be determined by the Company, taking into account the relative values of the companies involved in the Transaction and the exchange rate, if any, used in determining shares of, or other equity interest in, the surviving entity or entities to be held by holders of shares of the Company following the Transaction. The converted Option shall be vested only to the extent that the vesting requirements relating to the Option have been satisfied.

          7.3 The Company shall provide a period of 30 days or less before the completion of the Transaction during which the Option may be exercised to the extent then exercisable, and upon the expiration of that period, the Option shall immediately terminate. The

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Company may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the exercisability of the Option so that the Option is exercisable in full during that period.

     8. Dissolution. In the event of the dissolution of the Company, the Company shall provide a period of 30 days or less before the dissolution of the Company during which the Option may be exercised to the extent then exercisable, and upon the expiration of that period, the Option shall immediately terminate. The Company may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the exercisability of the Option so that the Option is exercisable in full during that period.

     9. Restrictions on Transfer of Shares. Any shares purchased under this Option will be subject to the restrictions on transfer, if any, included in the Company’s articles of incorporation.

     10. Conditions on Obligations. The Company shall not be obligated to issue shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Option if the Company is advised by its legal counsel that such issuance would violate applicable state or federal laws, including securities laws. The Company will use its best efforts to take steps required by state or federal law or applicable regulations in connection with issuance of shares upon exercise of the Option.

     11. No Right to Employment or Service. Nothing in the Plan or this Agreement shall (i) confer upon the Optionee any right to be continued in the employment of an Employer or interfere in any way with the Employer’s right to terminate the Optionee’s employment at will at any time, for any reason, with or without cause, or to decrease the Optionee’s compensation or benefits, or (ii) confer upon the Optionee any right to be retained or employed by the Employer or to the continuation, extension, renewal or modification of any compensation, contract or arrangement with or by the Employer.

     12. Successors of Company. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of any successor of the Company but, except as provided herein, the Option may not be assigned or otherwise transferred by the Optionee.

     13. Notices. Any notices under this Agreement must be in writing and will be effective when actually delivered or, if mailed, three days after deposit into the United States mail by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid. Mail shall be directed to the addresses stated on the face page of this Agreement or to such address as a party may certify by notice to the other party.

     14. Rights as a Shareholder. The Optionee shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock until the date the Optionee becomes the holder or record of those shares. No adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date occurs before the date the Optionee becomes the holder of record.

     15. Amendments. The Company may at any time amend this Agreement if the amendment does not adversely affect the Optionee. Otherwise, this Agreement may not be amended without the written consent of the Optionee and the Company.

     16. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the state of South Dakota.

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     17. Complete Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Optionee and the Company, both oral and written concerning the matters addressed herein, and all prior agreements or representations concerning the matters addressed herein, whether written or oral, express or implied, are terminated and of no further effect.

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