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U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

02/23/2026 | Press release | Archived content

Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Dayton Meat Products

Read the release on Sen. Ernst's website HERE.

Throughout this Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa's 99 counties.

RED OAK, Iowa - U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Dayton Meat Products of Poweshiek County. Throughout the 119th Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in each of Iowa's 99 counties.

"For 67 years, Dayton Meat Products has been meating the needs of the Malcolm community," said Chair Ernst. "This small business has carved out a trusted name for itself across Iowa, processing more than 700 hogs and 45,000 pounds of game meat each year and earning widespread recognition for its award-winning dried beef, bacon, ham, and jerky."

Founded in 1959 by Lawrence Dayton, Dayton Meat Products is one of Iowa's most respected and well-known meat processors. In 1994, the family moved to South Malcolm and built their current facility, which includes a slaughterhouse, garage, smokehouse, cutting rooms, and retail store. Today, under the leadership of Lawrence's son, Bill, and grandsons, Josh and Jake, the family-owned business continues to thrive.

Stay tuned as Chair Ernst continues to recognize outstanding Iowa small businesses with her Small Business of the Week award.

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U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship published this content on February 23, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 02, 2026 at 21:39 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]