Key keywords: Ernst Small Business of the Week, Green Real Estate & Auction Co., Iowa small business recognition, local auction services, sustainable real estate practices, small business advocacy, rural business support, virtual auction solutions U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, representing Iowa, has officially named Green Real Estate & Auction Co., a family-owned, Iowa-based auction and real estate firm, as the latest recipient of her weekly Small Business of the Week award, a program launched to highlight outstanding local enterprises that drive economic growth and serve community needs across the state. Founded in 1989 by the Green family in rural Central Iowa, Green Real Estate & Auction Co. has spent more than three decades delivering specialized services ranging from residential and commercial real estate auctions, agricultural asset and farm equipment sales, to land management consulting for both individual property owners and small business operators. Unlike large national auction chains that often overlook rural and small-town markets, the firm has built its reputation on deep local expertise, transparent pricing structures, and a customer-first approach that prioritizes the unique needs of Iowa’s rural communities. In recent years, the firm has also emerged as a regional leader in sustainable real estate practices, integrating energy efficiency ratings, regenerative land use metrics, and eco-friendly property upgrade recommendations into its valuation and auction marketing processes, helping sellers of sustainable properties capture 12-18% higher sale prices on average compared to standard industry benchmarks. During the 2020 pandemic, the firm also rolled out a proprietary virtual auction platform that allowed clients to host fully remote property showings, bid events, and closing processes, enabling more than 200 Iowa small business owners and family farmers to sell critical assets without public health risks at a time when in-person operations were largely restricted. In her public announcement of the award, Senator Ernst noted, "Green Real Estate & Auction Co. is exactly the kind of homegrown business we love celebrating here in Iowa. For over 30 years, they’ve shown up for their neighbors, adapted to hard times, and put the needs of the community above corporate profits. Their work to support rural families and small business owners keeps our local economies strong, and they are more than deserving of this recognition." The firm’s CEO, Tyler Green, shared in a statement that the award is a tribute to the firm’s 27 full-time staff and hundreds of repeat clients who have trusted the company with their most valuable assets over the years, adding that the team plans to expand its sustainable real estate program to 10 additional Iowa counties by the end of 2024.