Today’s episode is a tribute to Bill Northey, a giant in the agriculture space in the state of Iowa who passed away suddenly. The podcast host did not know him well, but was deeply impacted by his kindness and humility. Northey had accepted an invitation to be on the podcast and even sent a handwritten thank you note after the interview. The host attended his funeral and discovered that everyone else had the same impression of Northey – that he was kind, genuine, and left a lasting impression.
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Bill Northey was born on May 27th, 1959 and studied agriculture business at Iowa State University. He married Cindy in 1983 and they joined Bill’s grandfather in farming. Throughout his career, Northey served in various leadership roles, benefiting the agriculture industry. He was president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, the National Corn Growers Association, and held other positions such as commissioner and chairman of the Dickinson County Farm Bureau. He was elected Secretary of Agriculture for the state of Iowa in 2006, serving for 11 years. In 2018, he became the nation’s first Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Most recently, he was the CEO of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa.
Northey’s impact on issues like soil conservation, water quality, renewable energy, and agriculture trade was widely respected. He was known as a friend and mentor and had a tireless work ethic, always promoting Iowa’s agriculture and its people. His legacy goes beyond his own fields, touching countless lives and inspiring future agricultural leaders. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who loved his family and enjoyed traveling with them.
One of the stories shared by his daughter was his commitment to helping others. He would show up early and stay late at events, even helping with tear down afterward. This remembrance of Northey serves as a reminder to invest in our communities, show up early, leave late, and make everyone feel important.
Bill Northey Memorial Fund
Please donate to the Bill Northey Memorial Fund to honor Secretary Northey’s life. The fund will be used to support scholarship(s) in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at ISU to help continue Bill’s legacy in Iowa Ag.