Ag industry lauds Northey appointment


Bill Northey, speaking at Monticello High School in March 2017 at the Northeast District FFA Competition, has been appointed U.S. Undersecretary of Agriculture. (Express file photo)

     Agricultural organizations across Iowa offered congratulations, approval and well-wishes to Bill Northey, who resigned as Iowa  Secretary of Agriculture March 5 to accept an appointment as the U.S. Undersecretary of Agriculture.

     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.

Northey statement

     Upon learning of his appointment, Northey issued the following statement:

     “It is a tremendous honor for me to be confirmed to serve as an Undersecretary of Agriculture. I want to thank President Trump for nominating me and Secretary Perdue for his support and encouragement throughout the confirmation process. I also want to thank Iowa Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst for their strong support and their tireless work on behalf of my nomination.

     “I greatly appreciate Chairman Roberts, Ranking Member Stabenow and the entire Senate Ag Committee for their bipartisan support of my nomination. I look forward to continuing to work closely with them in this new role.

     “While this process has taken longer than expected, I remain as excited as ever to work with Secretary Perdue and the staff at USDA to support of our nation’s farmers and ranchers.

     “I want to express my deep appreciation to the people of Iowa for affording me the opportunity to serve in this role for the past eleven years. Working with and learning from the men and women who make Iowa agriculture the dynamic and productive industry that feeds the world has been honor of a lifetime.”

     Agricultural organizations also offered the following statements:

 

Bill Shipley, Iowa

Soybean Association

President

     “While it took longer than expected, Bill Northey’s confirmation as Undersecretary of Agriculture is appropriately timed given the important decisions occurring in Washington. Issues impacting the profitability of the state’s farmers continue to grow, including the writing of a new farm bill, maintaining and opening new trade markets for Iowa-grown soybeans, and keeping policies and regulations in place that favor a strong ag economy. Farmers are best-served when leaders are able to make decisions, meaning this is not only a win for Iowa producers but for all of U.S. agriculture.

     “Bill has worked tirelessly for Iowa farmers and we look forward to him bringing his extensive experience to the national level. We’re confident he will be a great asset to the experienced and talented team in place at the USDA and continue to represent agriculture and the state of Iowa with the utmost passion and integrity.”

 

Mark Recker, Iowa

Corn Growers’

Association President

     “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.

     “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.”

 

Grand Kimberley, Iowa

Biodiesel  Board

President

     “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.”

 

Gregg Hora, Iowa

Pork Producers

Association President

     “Iowa's pork producers congratulate Sec. Northey on his confirmation and applaud him for enduring this longer than anticipated process. He has been a true friend to the industry and a great advocate for Iowa agriculture. We wish him well in his new position representing agriculture and farmers’ interest across the United States and look forward to his service with USDA.”

 

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