On National Egg Day, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, announced her Small Business of the Week: Farmers Hen House of Washington County. Throughout this Congress, Ranking Member Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.
Farmers Hen House is known for supplying organic, free-range eggs to consumers across the country. The business began with humble origins, partnering with just three local farms. Over the years, they have expanded to work with 90 partner farms while still remaining actively involved in the Kalona community. Entrepreneurs like those at Farmers Hen House help Iowa maintain its status as a national leader in egg production.
In 1997, Eldon T. Miller started Farmers Hen House in Kalona by partnering with three local Amish and Mennonite farms to produce organic eggs. Eldon is a well-known figure in the organic farming community and founded the Organic Growers Group in 1995. His neighbor, Mark Miller, took over the business in 2000. Today, Mark’s son Ryan is the president of Farmers Hen House and has led new outreach efforts for the business, including collaborating with culinary experts, creating The Scramble podcast, and writing a community blog. Farmers Hen House also donates over 12,000 eggs a week to Iowa food banks. In 2024, they celebrated their 27th business anniversary.
Stay tuned as Ranking Member Ernst continues to recognize Iowa small businesses across the state with her Small Business of the Week award.