Floor SpeechNeutral2026-04-13

RECOGNIZING ZEB'S SMOKEHOUSE

Agriculture

Context

On 2026-04-13, Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING ZEB'S SMOKEHOUSE" in the Senate. The speech addressed agriculture. It referenced legislation including S1710, S1711.

Full Text

RECOGNIZING ZEB'S SMOKEHOUSE

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 64 (Monday, April 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 64 (Monday, April 13, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S1710-S1711] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING ZEB'S SMOKEHOUSE Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as chair 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 honor Zeb's Smokehouse of Taylor County, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. After moving back home to Bedford, IA, Zeb Schuelke and his wife Andrea converted a vacant building into a meat processing facility. Zeb's Smokehouse was officially opened just in time for hunting season in 2015. Starting as a dream, the small wild game [[Page S1711]] processing operation soon grew as farmers, hunters, and families across the country relied on a butcher they could trust. Today, Zeb's Smokehouse offers custom meat and wild game processing, retail cuts of locally raised beef and pork, and an exclusive farm to table service. Zeb's brings a refrigerated reefer trailer straight to the farm to harvest the beef or pork. The animal is processed on the property, then taken back to the locker to be finished. By working directly with area farmers and livestock producers, the shop connects customers with food raised close to home and helps keep Iowa's agricultural traditions strong. Over the past decade, Zeb's Smokehouse has expanded its product range and now distributes smoked meats and specialty products through additional retail outlets throughout the country. In 2023 and 2025, Zeb's was the winner of the Best of Southwest Iowa Best Meat Locker Award. I have been delighted to see how this team worked together to serve their community and continue the success of Zeb's Smokehouse. Zeb's Smokehouse is a proud member of the Bedford Chamber of Commerce, and Andrea has participated in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program in Iowa, a nationally recognized initiative that champions entrepreneurship and small business growth. Beyond serving local farmers and customers, Zeb's processes wild game for hunters and donates venison to help feed families in need. Their commitment to community runs deep: from contributing to charity auctions to raising money for cancer patients and participating in other local initiatives. In communities like Bedford, businesses such as Zeb's Smokehouse do more than process meat; they help neighbors fill their freezers, support local producers, and preserve traditions that have been part of rural life for generations. I am pleased to recognize Zeb and Andrea Schuelke, along with the entire team at Zeb's Smokehouse, for their dedication to Taylor County and beyond. I look forward to their continued success and wish them the very best in the years ahead. ____________________

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RECOGNIZING ZEB'S SMOKEHOUSE Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 64 (Monday, April 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 64 (Monday, April 13, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S1710-S1711] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING ZEB'S SMOKEHOUSE Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as chair 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 honor Zeb's Smokehouse of Taylor County, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. After moving back home to Bedford, IA, Zeb Schuelke and his wife Andrea converted a vacant building into a meat processing facility. Zeb's Smokehouse was officially opened just in time for hunting season in 2015. Starting as a dream, the small wild game [[Page S1711]] processing operation soon grew as farmers, hunters, and families across the country relied on a butcher they could trust. Today, Zeb's Smokehouse offers custom meat and wild game processing, retail cuts of locally raised beef and pork, and an exclusive farm to table service. Zeb's brings a refrigerated reefer trailer straight to the farm to harvest the beef or pork. The animal is processed on the property, then taken back to the locker to be finished. By working directly with area farmers and livestock producers, the shop connects customers with food raised close to home and helps keep Iowa's agricultural traditions strong. Over the past decade, Zeb's Smokehouse has expanded its product range and now distributes smoked meats and specialty products through additional retail outlets throughout the country. In 2023 and 2025, Zeb's was the winner of the Best of Southwest Iowa Best Meat Locker Award. I have been delighted to see how this team worked together to serve their community and continue the success of Zeb's Smokehouse. Zeb's Smokehouse is a proud member of the Bedford Chamber of Commerce, and Andrea has participated in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program in Iowa, a nationally recognized initiative that champions entrepreneurship and small business growth. Beyond serving local farmers and customers, Zeb's processes wild game for hunters and donates venison to help feed families in need. Their commitment to community runs deep: from contributing to charity auctions to raising money for cancer patients and participating in other local initiatives. In communities like Bedford, businesses such as Zeb's Smokehouse do more than process meat; they help neighbors fill their freezers, support local producers, and preserve traditions that have been part of rural life for generations. I am pleased to recognize Zeb and Andrea Schuelke, along with the entire team at Zeb's Smokehouse, for their dedication to Taylor County and beyond. I look forward to their continued success and wish them the very best in the years ahead. ____________________