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

GREEN PLAINS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Iowa

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

(402) 884-8700

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

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:

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

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

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangement of Certain Officers.

(c)Mr. Chris Osowski has been appointed as Executive Vice President, Operations and Technology effective January 10, 2022. In this position, Mr. Osowski will be responsible for leading the operations organization, including safety, environmental and operational performance. He will also be focused on leading innovation and operational excellence initiatives across the organization. Prior to joining Green Plains, Mr. Osowski was Vice President Global Technology at Archer Daniels Midlands Company and has held various roles with increasing responsibility at POET, Renewable Energy Group and Tate & Lyle. Mr. Osowski has a Master of Business Administration degree from Minnesota State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering from North Dakota State University.

Mr. Osowski has no family relationships with any current director or executive officer of the Company, and there are no transactions or proposed transactions to which the Company is a party, or intended to be a party, in which Mr. Osowski has, or will have, a material interest subject to disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. Mr. Osowski was not chosen as the Company’s Executive Vice President, Operations and Technology pursuant to any arrangement or understanding with any other person.

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

Attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K is a copy of the Company’s press release dated January 4, 2022. The press release is incorporated by this reference and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed as part of this report.

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SIGNATURES

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.