Iowa Corn Farmers Applaud Secretary Northey's Confirmation to USDA Undersecretary of Farm Production and Conservation
On behalf of Iowa corn farmers, we congratulate Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey on his appointment by U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC). Throughout his distinguished tenure as Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, he has been a tireless advocate for Iowa's corn farmers, and we are thankful to have someone with such a deep agricultural leadership background in this vital position. It is good to see one of our own rise through the ranks to this well-deserved appointment. Throughout his career in agriculture, Northey has been a leader in a variety of farm groups including serving as Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) President from 1991-92 and as National Corn Growers Association President and Chairman in 1995-97. Northey is a fourth-generation Iowa farmer that grows corn and soybeans on his farm near Spirit Lake. In his three-terms as Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, he has promoted science and technology-based solutions to better conserve our soil, water and air, helped to expand ethanol infrastructure in our state and helped tell the story of Iowa agriculture including through his avid use of social media. In his new role as USDA's Undersecretary of Farm Production and Conservation, he will oversee the Farm Service Agency, Risk Management Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. We look forward to working with him on several important issues including pushing for new markets for agricultural exports, expanding the role of higher blends of ethanol in our nation's fuel supply, preserving funding for risk management and conservation programs in the 2018 Farm Bill and the roll out of the GMO labeling standard. - 30 -
Iowa biodiesel industry lauds confirmation of Northey to USDA Former Iowa Secretary of Ag now USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation
(ANKENY, Iowa) – The United States Senate has confirmed Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey as the United States Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation. Iowa Biodiesel Board Executive Director Grand Kimberley issued the following statement:
“We congratulate Bill Northey, who will be a great advocate for farmers nationwide. As a farmer, and as Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture, his background and experience will be critical as Congress begins crafting a new farm bill in 2018. Bill has always been a staunch supporter of renewable fuels, like biodiesel, and the Renewable Fuel Standard, and his department in Iowa capably administered important programs like the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program. We know he will make Iowa proud once again.
“With his proven devotion to American agriculture, we know that Bill will keep the interests of farmers at heart as he tackles issues affecting agriculture in Iowa and beyond.”
Biodiesel is an advanced biofuel made from agricultural byproducts and co-products, such as soybean oil. The Iowa Biodiesel Board is a state trade association representing the biodiesel industry.
The Iowa Biodiesel Board is a state trade association representing the biodiesel industry.
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Gov. Reynolds issues statement on Northey confirmation by U.S. Senate
(DES MOINES) – Gov. Kim Reynolds issued the following statement on Tuesday on Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey’s confirmation by the U.S. Senate to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
“Bill Northey is a talented, passionate, hard-working Iowan, and I am excited to see him serve in this new role.
“Bill served Iowans as Secretary of Agriculture for more than a decade. His time was marked with significant progress and innovation in agriculture, including water quality. He also provided our state with rock solid leadership in times of droughts, floods and an avian flu outbreak.
“Through it all, his commitment to this state and its people never wavered. Iowa is better thanks to his service, and the nation will be better with Bill in his new role as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services.”
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