Moments of silence were observed in the Iowa House and Senate this (Tuesday) morning to honor former Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey, who died unexpectedly at the age of 64. Northey served more than a decade as state ag secretary before his appointment as a U-S-D-A Under Secretary during the Trump Administration. Speaker Pat Grassley led the tribute in the House.

Senator Dennis Guth, of Klemme, worked in a farm group with Northey before Northey was first elected ag secretary in 2006.

Senator Dan Zumbach, a farmer from Ryan, wept as he spoke about Northey.

Northey had been C-E-O of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa since last March.

Former Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey served as a USDA Under Secretary from the spring of 2018 to early January, 2021. (USDA photo)