The Agribusiness Association of Iowa (AAI) Foundation announce on Feb. 26 that its building in Des Moines, Iowa, will be named after Bill Northey, who served as the Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation in the United States Department of Agriculture from 2018 to 2021 and as the Secretary of Agriculture of Iowa from 2007 to 2010.
Northey, who passed away on Feb. 5, 2024, also served as President and Chairman of the National Corn Growers Association from 1995 to 1997, and as CEO of AAI. Additionally, he was Co-founder and President of Innovative Growers LLC, an organization hatched from Iowa State University Extension Leadership to focus on the production of specialty grain products.
“Bill was a giant in agriculture. While he wanted to be known first as a farmer and conservationist, he was actively involved in many facets of public service to agriculture,” said Mark White, Board Chair of the AAI Foundation. “Just as another giant in Iowa agriculture, Henry Wallace, has a state ag building named after him, the Foundation board of directors felt that naming our building after Bill will ensure that he will never be forgotten.”
A Northey Memorial Fund has been established at the AAI Foundation. Memorials can be sent to the AAI Foundation, 900 Des Moines Street, Des Moines, IA 50309.