The tributes began pouring in as soon as the shock wore off Monday when the news broke that former Iowa Agriculture Secretary and USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey had died at the age of 64.

The Agribusiness Association of Iowa (AAI) where Northey served as CEO shared the news of his passing. “The state of Iowa, and all of agriculture, has lost a great leader who has left his mark on future generations and will be greatly missed. Bill was a tireless advocate for agriculture and a beloved leader for the entire AAI staff and organization.”

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) said in a statement that his family has been friends with the Northeys for over two generations.
“Bill Northey was a dear friend and fierce advocate for the family farmer. As Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture and Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation at the United States Department of Agriculture under President Trump, Bill’s commitment to agriculture, biofuels and conservation were unmatched,” said Grassley.

Northey frequently attended the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit while he was state agriculture secretary and often presented his biofuels marketer of the year awards there. “Bill has always been a thoughtful but forceful leader for farmers and rural America. He was an incredible friend to ethanol and biodiesel producers because he saw the big picture,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw. “This wasn’t just about turning a profit – this was about preserving a way of rural life.”

Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper offered condolences on behalf of the entire ethanol industry. “Bill was a passionate and tireless advocate for agriculture and renewable fuels. He dedicated his career to creating a better future for farmers in Iowa and across the country, and he played an important role in the success of the U.S. ethanol industry,” said Cooper.

Funeral arrangements are pending and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags to be at half-staff until Northey is buried.

“Bill was a great leader whose work ethic and passion for Iowa agriculture was unmatched. Iowans and farmers around the country were fortunate to have such a rock-solid advocate and friend,” said Reynolds. “Kevin and I offer our deepest condolences and prayers to Cindy and their family.”

Northey served as Iowa ag secretary for 11 years, from 2007 to 2018, before becoming USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation under President Trump. A fourth-generation farmer, Northey was president of the National Corn Growers Association in the mid-1990s.

The last interview we did with Northey was in 2021 at the inaugural Tech Hub LIVE conference in Des Moines where he talked about ethanol as a low carbon fuel, ag technology and the future.