DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that he be in Mitchell, Worth and Winnebago Counties on Friday, March 6 as part of his effort to visit each of Iowa’s 99 counties again in 2009 to meet with Iowans and discuss agriculture and the issues facing farmers in the state. Northey will be hosting a town meeting in Northwood and Forest City and will take part in the recognition of Bonnie Plants Cabbage Contest winner Cole Willert in St. Ansgar. “I’ve learned from the meetings I’ve attended in each of the counties over the past two years and I’m sure this year will be no different,” Northey said.  “It’s a challenging time on and off the farm and I’m excited to hear from Iowans about the issues facing agriculture.” The details of the visits follow here: Friday, March 6, 2009 Mitchell County – 10:30 a.m., Bonnie Plants Contest Winner Recognition, St. Ansgar Elementary School, 202 South Washington St., St. Ansgar Worth County – 12:30 p.m., City Hall, Council Chambers, 627 Central Ave., Northwood Winnebago County – 2:30 p.m., Titonka Savings Bank Community Room, 101 Hwy 69 North, Forest City Northey, a corn and soybean farmer from Spirit Lake, is serving his first term as Secretary of Agriculture. His priorities as Secretary of Agriculture are the opportunities in renewable energy, conservation and stewardship, and telling the story of Iowa agriculture. - 30 -