CONTACT: Stephanie Addison
(202) 547-6223; stephanie-addison[at]nacdnet.org

CONTACT: Sara Kangas
(202) 547-6223; sara-kangas[at]nacdnet.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 27, 2018

NACD APPLAUDS SENATE FOR
CONFIRMING NORTHEY TO
TOP USDA POST

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey through a voice vote to serve as the Under Secretary for the Farm and Foreign Agricultural Service (FFAS)* at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

In September of 2017, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) along with the National Conservation Partnership sent a letter to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., in support of the swift confirmation of Northey.

“Today’s vote was long overdue,” NACD President Brent Van Dyke said.“Throughout his career, Mr. Northey has proven his commitment to agriculture and conservation by working alongside landowners to implement the conservation programs most vital to our nation’s producers. His extensive leadership experience in conservation and production agriculture has more than prepared him to lead this new mission area for the USDA.”

Northey is a fourth-generation farmer and former commissioner for the Dickinson County Soil and Water Conservation District. He has managed and directed natural resource management programs, set conservation priorities, and coordinated conservation efforts with other local units of government, state agencies and agricultural organizations.

“As a fellow Iowan, I could not be more excited to see Northey serve in this new role,” NACD President-elect Tim Palmer said. “As Secretary of Agriculture for more than a decade, Northey has been a champion for this industry and has dedicated himself to listening to and addressing the needs of producers across the state when it comes to natural resource conservation and soil and water concerns. Iowa is a better place thanks to his service, and I’m confident the nation will thrive under his leadership.”

*Editor’s note: The Senate confirmed Bill Northey today as Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services. Under USDA’s proposed reorganization, Northey’s role would ultimately transition to become Under Secretary of the Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) mission area.

###

About the National Association of Conservation Districts:

The National Association of Conservation Districts is the non-profit organization that represents the nation’s 3,000 conservation districts, their state and territory associations, and the 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. For more than 70 years, local conservation districts have worked with cooperating landowners and managers of private working lands to help them plan and apply effective conservation practices. For more information about NACD, visit: www.nacdnet.org.