DES MOINES –Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey asked Iowans to join him in celebrating National Agriculture Week. National Agriculture week is March 14th through the 20th.
“Iowa agriculture means so much to the state,” Northey said. “Agriculture is a mainstay of the economy and represents the future for many young Iowans. Some of the future agriculture-related career choices include farming, agribusiness management and marketing, agriculture research, banking, manufacturing, insurance, landscaping, and energy production.”
“I hope our schools will be able to maintain the programs making this possible, even in these tough budget times,” Northey added. It’s estimated that 25% of the state’s economy can be attributed to agriculture. “Our ag education and FFA programs give students valuable experience for getting a job and being successful. “
Iowa agriculture also manages the bulk of the state’s land resources. Two-thirds of the state’s land is planted in corn and soybeans every year. Most of the remaining third is managed by farmers.
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.
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