Ernst Elevates Voices of Iowa Ag Community

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, is bringing Iowans' concerns about barriers to accessing capital in rural America to the highest levels of the Trump administration.

Ernst meets with Iowa witnesses Melissa Spurgin and James Funke before they testify at a U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship hearing.

Download photos from the hearing here.

After leading a committee hearing featuring two Iowans and the barriers they have faced, Ernst is elevating their stories and calling on Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Kelly Loeffler to directly follow up on the Iowans' recommendations to support rural communities, remove bureaucracy in the 7(a) loan program, and modernize opportunities for small local banks that play an important role in Iowa's ag economy. Read the full letter here.

"During the Committee's hearing, witnesses underscored the critical role rural community banks play in providing capital to small businesses, farmers, and entrepreneurs," Senator Ernst wrote in the letter. "Our witnesses' testimony outlined several key recommendations to tailor SBA loan programs to better serve community banks and rural small businesses. These include incorporating the judgment of experienced bankers who understand local market dynamics and seasonal income patterns; taking into account that assets are commonly inherited or jointly owned in rural communities; and ensuring greater clarity and support for community banks to avoid guaranty denials based on technicalities."

"I am eager to partner with you to address these challenges so that rural community banks can more effectively utilize the 7(a) program, provide necessary capital to rural small businesses, and do so while safeguarding the integrity of SBA loan programs," she concluded.

Background:

In her role as the Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Ernst has long been a proponent of increasing access to capital for rural communities, small business owners, manufacturers, and young farmers.

Ernst hosted Iowans Melissa Spurgin and James Funke as witnesses in a January 2026 committeehearing. Ms. Spurgin is from Albia, Iowa and is the chief financial officer at First Iowa State Bank. Mr. Funke is from Edgewood, Iowa and is the sales manager at Del Clay Farm Equipment.

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