Former USDA Undersecretary Greg Ibach has joined the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources as its inaugural undersecretary-in-residence.

In his new role with IANR, Ibach will help advance the institute in areas such as agricultural biotechnology policy, agricultural biosecurity, workforce training, and the partnership between the National Institute of Antimicrobial Resistance Research Education and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), among other areas.

He may also engage with UNL learners interested in public service, the importance of public and private partnerships, and science-informed policy.

“Greg is uniquely positioned to help advance IANR’s strategy and bring real-time experiences to our students,” says Mike Boehm, Harlan vice chancellor for IANR and NU vice president for agriculture and natural resources. “He brings to this role an incredible wealth of knowledge of all aspects of ag policy, and I’m excited for the tremendous learning opportunity his new position presents for our faculty, staff and students.”

A farmer and rancher from Sumner, Neb., Ibach spent the past three years at the undersecretary of marketing and regulatory programs for USDA. In this role, he was responsible for facilitating marketing of U.S. agricultural products and ensuring the health and care of animals and plants. 

He oversaw the Agricultural Marketing Service Agency; APHIS; the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Division; and several programs that were part of the Farm Service Agency.

Ibach is a former director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, a role he held for 12 years, making him the longest-serving director in the organization’s history. He is a graduate of UNL’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

“I’m looking forward to working with the university to help promote programs that will benefit not only Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers, but all of Nebraska,” Ibach says. “The benefit our land-grant university brings to Nebraska’s agricultural economy is tremendous, and I look forward to working with UNL to help grow Nebraska.”

The half-time role took effect Feb. 1.

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