Former Iowa state ag secretary Bill Northey dies at age 64
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey addressed Eggs & Issues on February 25, 2017.
by Jared Strong, Iowa Capital Dispatch
February 5, 2024
Bill Northey, who was Iowa’s top agriculture official for more than a decade and a leader at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, died recently at the age of 64.
His death was publicly announced Monday by the Agribusiness Association of Iowa, of which he was chief executive.
“Bill was a tireless advocate for agriculture and a beloved leader,” the association said.
An association spokesperson said Northey died suddenly but did not know the cause of death. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Northey, a longtime farmer, was Iowa’s agriculture secretary from 2007 to 2018, after which he was undersecretary for farm production and conservation at the USDA until 2021.
He was an Iowa State University graduate who was raised on a farm in Dickinson County, according to the association. He was president of the National Corn Growers Association in the mid-1990s and a decade later was first elected agriculture secretary for Iowa.
“Bill was a great leader whose work ethic and passion for Iowa agriculture was unmatched,” Gov. Kim Reynolds said in a statement. “Iowans and farmers around the country were fortunate to have such a rock-solid advocate and friend.”
Reynolds ordered flags at half staff until after Northey’s funeral.
Numerous public officials and agriculture groups heaped praise on Northey on Monday:
— U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack: “Bill’s colleagues, the Iowa agriculture community, and so many who knew him will feel the absence of such a passionate, knowledgeable and devoted leader for a long time to come.”
— Mike Naig, the current state agriculture secretary: “As secretary, he had a tremendously positive impact on our state and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, but his influence went well beyond our borders. Whether it was on issues like soil conservation, water quality, renewable energy, foreign animal disease preparedness or trade, Bill was respected nationally and internationally. Bill was smart and people looked toward his leadership on every issue he focused on.”
— U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley: “Today the Iowa farm community lost a giant. Bill Northey was a dear friend and fierce advocate for the family farmer. As Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture and Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation at the United States Department of Agriculture under President Trump, Bill’s commitment to agriculture, biofuels and conservation were unmatched.”
— Jeff Kaufmann, chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa: “His legacy extends far beyond the boundaries of his political office; Bill’s warmth, approachability, and genuine concern for the well-being of this state and Iowans will be his legacy.”
— Iowa Farm Bureau Federation: “The Iowa Farm Bureau is saddened to learn of the passing of Bill Northey – a tireless champion, defender and promoter of farmers and agriculture at both the state and federal levels. His steadfast dedication and life’s work to ensuring agriculture thrives will continue to impact farm families here in Iowa and across the nation for years to come.”
— Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association: “Bill has always been a thoughtful but forceful leader for farmers and rural America. He was an incredible friend to ethanol and biodiesel producers because he saw the big picture. This wasn’t just about turning a profit — this was about preserving a way of rural life.”
— U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst: “Bill Northey dedicated his life to Iowa agriculture. Throughout his career as a farmer, leader in key agriculture organizations, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary, he was a steadfast advocate for the producers that feed and fuel our world. He helped establish Iowa as a national leader on key initiatives including ethanol and the Nutrient Reduction Strategy, while always remaining grounded and connected to his family farm in Dickinson County.”
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