Bill Northey, who played a big role in agriculture both in Iowa and for the whole country, passed away at 64 years old. The Agribusiness Association of Iowa, where he was the boss, shared the news on Monday.
Northey worked as a farmer for a long time before becoming the agriculture secretary of Iowa from 2007 to 2018. Later, he worked at the U.S. Department of Agriculture as an undersecretary until 2021.
He went to Iowa State University and grew up on a farm in Dickinson County. In the 1990s, he led the National Corn Growers Association and then, in the 2000s, he was elected as Iowa’s agriculture secretary. Read this article to find out how did Bill Northey passed away unexpectedly
Bill Northey Cause of Death
On Monday (5 February), a lot of people were sad because Bill Northey passed away at 64. They remembered him as a strong and enthusiastic supporter of farmers in Iowa and across the U.S., as well as rural communities.
A spokesperson from the association mentioned that Northey’s death was unexpected, and they didn’t know why he died. Details about his funeral are still being arranged.
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of former @IADeptAg Secretary Bill Northey.
He was a larger-than-life figure in the Iowa farm community, and we mourn the loss of a good friend to The Big Show and those of us who knew him personally. pic.twitter.com/6cdJNZtIep
— The Big Show (@BigShowFarm) February 5, 2024
Early Years
Bill Northey got a degree in Agricultural Business from Iowa State University in 1981. Before he started working in government and politics, he was the fourth person in his family to farm in Spirit Lake, Iowa.
National Corn Growers Association
From 1995 to 1996, Northey was the leader of the National Corn Growers Association.
Iowa Agriculture Department
Bill Northey was chosen as Iowa’s agriculture secretary in 2006 and got elected again in 2010 and 2014. He left this job in 2017 to work with the USDA in Washington, D.C. During his time, which lasted over 11 years, at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Northey strongly supported renewable fuels and Iowa’s program to improve water quality on a voluntary basis.
He also helped the state deal with diseases affecting animals, like the pig disease PED virus and a serious bird flu. While he was in charge, he also led the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) for a year from 2011 to 2012.
Tributes to Bill Northey
I am extremely saddened to learn of the unexpected passing of Bill Northey, former Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, who I have known for decades and who has been a lifelong champion, personally and professionally, for Iowa’s and all of America’s farmers.
— Secretary Tom Vilsack (@SecVilsack) February 5, 2024
Kelly and I are saddened to hear of the sudden passing of former Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey. We are grateful for his for his leadership for Iowa and most importantly, his friendship. Kelly and I are praying for his wife, Cindy, and the entire Northey family. pic.twitter.com/uY3oZkS9dE
— Congressman Zach Nunn (@ZachNunn) February 5, 2024
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