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NASDA praises nomination of Northey and Ibach to USDA leadership
Story Date: 9/5/2017
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Source: NATIONAL ASSOC. OF STATE DEPTS. OF AGRICULUTRE, 9/4/17
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) today praised the appointments of Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey and Nebraska Director of Agriculture Greg Ibach as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) first Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation and Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs respectively. Northey served as President of NASDA from 2011-2012 and Ibach served as President from 2015-2016, NASDA’s centennial year.
NASDA President and Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture & Forestry Dr. Mike Strain noted his enthusiasm for working with Northey and Ibach in their new roles.
“We are excited to see Bill and Greg tapped for these important roles advancing agriculture. They will not only be a leaders, but partners with the states, in providing our farmers and ranchers the services they need, while helping them implement conservation practices, protect plant and animal health, and enhance market opportunities, among other critical programs,” said Commissioner Strain. “As chief agricultural officials in the states, NASDA Members are road-tested to advance the diverse American agricultural system.”
Northey is a fourth generation farmer from Spirit Lake, Iowa who grows corn and soybeans. Northey returned to Spirit Lake to farm with his grandfather after graduating from Iowa State University in 1981. He is serving his third term as Iowa Secretary of Agriculture after being reelected for the second time in November of 2014. As Secretary, Northey committed to traveling to each of Iowa’s 99 counties every year to hear from farmers and rural residents.
Ibach began his service as Director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture in June 2005, receiving the appointment from Governor Dave Heineman after spending six and half years in the Assistant Director role. In addition to his director duties, with the help of his family he continues to maintain a cow/calf and grain operation near Sumner in central Nebraska. Prior to starting his Sumner operation, Greg worked for Farm Credit Services.
NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association which represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries, and directors of the departments of agriculture in all fifty states and four U.S. territories. NASDA grows and enhances agriculture by forging partnerships and creating consensus to achieve sound policy outcomes between state departments of agriculture, the federal government, and stakeholders. Learn more about NASDA at www.nasda.org.
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