[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 95 (Tuesday, June 4, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S3949]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                     RECOGNIZING FARMERS HEN HOUSE

 Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate 
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize 
an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American 
entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize 
Farmers Hen House of Kalona, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the 
Week.
  In 1997, Eldon T. Miller started Farmers Hen House in Kalona. The 
business produced and distributed organically grown eggs and partnered 
with three local Amish and Mennonite farms to create a pathway for 
farmers across Iowa to sell their eggs. Eldon is well known in the 
organic farming community and founded Organic Growers Group in 1995 to 
help farmers learn about organic farming and obtain organic grower 
certifications. In 2000, Eldon's neighbor Mark Miller acquired Farmers 
Hen House, and in 2004, Mark's son Ryan joined the company. Under Mark 
and Ryan Miller's leadership, the business has grown into a full-
service producer, processor, and distributor of Iowa-grown eggs.
  Today, Farmers Hen House works with over 90 farms to sell certified 
humane, organic, and free-range eggs. The business is dedicated to 
maintaining quality standards in their eggs and has a rigorous egg 
grading facility. In 2014, Farmers Hen House partnered with the Farmers 
Electric Cooperative to install solar panels at their processing 
facility, and it has been running entirely on solar power since 2016. 
Following Mark Miller's retirement in 2021, Ryan Miller became 
president of the business.
  Ryan has led the way in implementing outreach for Farmers Hen House, 
collaborating with culinary experts to develop a variety of healthy egg 
recipes, creating a podcast called ``The Scramble,'' and writing a 
community blog to inform farmers about sustainable farming techniques 
and other tips and tricks.
  Farmers Hen House is an integral part of the community in Washington 
County. Along with educating and assisting local farmers, the business 
donates over 12,000 eggs a week to local food banks around the State. 
In 2023, the Federation Bank of Iowa spotlighted Farmers Hen House for 
their significant investment in Iowa and small local farms. The small 
business continues to modernize and emphasize the quality and 
sustainability of their eggs. Due to their hard work, Farmers Hen House 
will celebrate its 27th business anniversary this year.
  Farmers Hen House's commitment to providing high-quality eggs in 
Kalona, IA, is clear. I want to congratulate Mark and Ryan Miller, 
Eldon T. Miller, and the entire team at Farmers Hen House for their 
continued dedication to Iowans. I look forward to seeing your continued 
growth and success.

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