When Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue nominated Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey for consideration as Under Secretary of Production and Conservation, he knew Northey was the man for the job. After months of government-mandated vetting and background checks, Perdue administered the oath of office to Northey at the annual Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner on March 6.

Northey recently traveled across the United States to become more familiar with a few of the commodity organizations and the farmers he and his staff will serve. Frank Howell, director of economic development, Delta Council, organized a briefing about the role of the organization, and a field tour showcasing a few of the research projects conducted by employees of the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, Miss.

Northey received a phone call from Perdue over a year ago requesting a meeting. “He wanted to share some of his thoughts, goals and visions for what he hoped to accomplish as secretary of agriculture,” said Northey. “One thing that stuck in my mind about him was his philosophy of never being satisfied with goals he’s trying to achieve. It’s like a farmer attempting to improve yields, it’s an ongoing effort.”

The bulk of USDA’s staff is, as Northey likes to say, “…right across the counter from a farmer.” He understands the goal of USDA is to help producers manage their risks through the farm programs administered by USDA, or through outside programs handled by agents and adjusters, like crop insurance. “No matter what program, we want to be sure it’s tailored to address the needs of a farmer,” said Northey.

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He was told recently by someone unfamiliar with agriculture that farmers do not want to change. That off-base criticism made Northey shake his head in disbelief. “That clearly illustrates how disconnected the non-farming community is with what actually happens on a farm. Everything farmers do each day involves change,” says Northey. “Farmers are constantly reacting and changing to both economic and environmental influences.”

Farming, Priorities and Impressions

After raising three daughters in the house his grandfather built in the 1950s, Northey, a fourth-generation farmer, had livestock through the years, but transitioned to corn and soybeans after being elected president of the National Corn Growers Association in the late 1990s. During that time he farmed more with headlights and on weekends than he did during the weekdays. “We had about 600 acres. Farming during that period kept me grounded,” admits Northey.

Secretary Perdue and Northey seem to share a similar desire to make things easier for the farmer. They are both impatient to make sure things get done to improve the business of agriculture. “We need to be as relevant as we can to producers, and find ways to measure the customer service we provide,” says Northey.

As the field tour progressed around the DREC, Northey recognized the impact and reach the facility has far beyond the Delta. “These researchers and their findings aren’t hidden away and kept in some building or lab. Area farmers are connected to what’s going on here,” adds Northey. “The coordination that takes place here between USDA and Mississippi State (University) is beyond impressive.”

Northey defines himself as authentic, curious, and humble. “Farmers are given plenty of chances to be humble. When we think we’re doing something just right, something happens that brings us back into the reality and lets us know that we aren’t,” laughs Northey.