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Northey New Ag Leader Expected to Champion Biofuels
Posted: Monday, November 13, 2006 - 7:41:25 AM
by Bill Northey
Republican Bill Northey aims for bipartisan efforts.
By ANNE FITZGERALD REGISTER AGRIBUSINESS WRITER
November 9, 2006
Bill Northey's election as Iowa secretary of agriculture bodes well for the state's biorenewables industry, farm trade group leaders said Wednesday.
"We're very, very happy with the turnout. ... This is a new chapter for Iowa," said Craig Lang, president of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation in West Des Moines.
Northey, a Spirit Lake farmer, is the first Republican to hold the state's top agricultural position in 20 years.
Lang and other agricultural leaders downplayed the difference in political parties between Northey and Governor-elect Chet Culver, a Democrat, saying that the well-being of Iowa agriculture transcended party lines.
Northey, 47, defeated Democrat Denise O'Brien, 56, an Atlantic farmer, 51 percent to 49 percent. The hotly contested race pitted the fourth-generation farmer and mainstream agricultural leader against O'Brien, a rural activist and friend of alternative agriculture.
The Farm Bureau had campaigned hard for Northey, especially in recent weeks. A letter written by Lang and sent to Farm Bureau members claimed that O'Brien opposed modern agriculture - a claim she denied.
O'Brien said such efforts, coupled with negative advertising, hurt her campaign, as did Republicans' criticism of O'Brien because her husband, Larry Harris, had been charged in 1987 with cruelty to animals.
"I think that we would have had a real good chance if the negative ads had not come out, especially in the last three days, since the animal cruelty thing came out," O'Brien said, adding that she would continue to be an advocate for family farmers.
Northey said he would strive to work with Democrats, who won majorities in both the House and the Senate, as well as the governor's race, on Tuesday.
"I absolutely have to work across the aisle," he said.
"It's about getting things done."
Culver shares his vision of "energy independence and the economic development that can come from that," Northey said, predicting that bipartisan support for the biorenewables industry would help him.
Tuesday's secretary of agriculture race was close, with urban areas in central and eastern Iowa tipping in O'Brien's favor. But Northey won substantial votes in such heavily populated and traditionally Democratic counties as Black Hawk, Dubuque, Linn and Polk, even though O'Brien won more votes in those counties, and he prevailed in largely rural Iowa.
On Tuesday, Northey harvested a load of corn on his family's Dickinson County farm before traveling to Des Moines.
He planned to continue to farm, Northey said Wednesday.
"I would love to be able to go home on weekends and be able to farm, get out in the fresh air and hear some cornstalks rattle in the wind," he said.
Northey stresses experience with renewable energy options
Posted: Sunday, November 05, 2006 - 6:08:45 PM
by Bill Northey
By Matt Barnes, Staff writer
Published: Friday, November 3, 2006
In the past months, Republican candidate for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey has criss-crossed the state raising support for his campaign. He has come to realize that one issue is continually on the minds of most Iowans.
“Certainly the issue we continue to hear is the opportunity for Iowa around renewable energy,” Northey said.
Renewable energies are changing Iowa’s landscape — both economically and physically. As new ethanol plants sprout up across Iowa, different opportunities are presenting themselves, according to Northey.
“Iowa is in a great place, we’re the leader right now in ethanol and bio-diesel and the leader in the technology surrounding these also,” he explained.
During a campaign stop in Charles City on Wednesday, Northey explained that his experience working with renewable energies will prove invaluable if elected. Northey is running against Democratic candidate Denise O’Brien. The candidates are vying for the vacancy left by Patty Judge, who is running for Lieutenant Governor.
Northey, who is a farmer near Spirit Lake, has been working with renewable energies, especially ethanol, for 21 years, with groups such as the National Corn Growers Association, of which he was president.
“It it was just going to end at ethanol ... that would be great, but it’s not going to end here,” Northey said. “We have great opportunities to move in cellulose production of ethanol, which may give us potential for new crops.”
Northey also listed products such as bio-degradable plastics and fibers as promising by-products of ethanol production.
“It’s really an economic engine that is driving the state right now,” Northey said.
Due to the potential economic impact that the renewable energies industry may have, Northey stressed that the race for Secretary of Agriculture doesn’t pertain solely to farmers. He wants to pull all of Iowa’s resources together so that Iowa can keep moving forward.
The future is even more exciting considering all the advances in technology,” Northey said. “What I think a Secretary (of Agriculture) needs to do is to be able to bring folks together around these ideas.
“We’re here right now, but if we stay here everyone is going to pass us. We need to make sure we’re doing everything we can to stay out in front and learn the technology, make sure we have the research, make sure we incorporate that research into plans and make sure we have the structures that allow these plans to build.”
Northey said that if Iowa can stay ahead of the technology curve, the future may be very bright.
“If we do, we’ll not only have demand for our corn and soybeans, but we will continue to create new jobs in small towns and large towns around ag processing off the farm,” Northey said.
Besides the potential that renewable energies present, Northey also stressed his work in soil conservation. He has served as the Soil Commissioner in Dickinson County, where projects have been implemented to reduce the amount of storm water that reaches local waterways.
“We have a lot of opportunities to grow and do a better job of keeping our waters clean in the state,” Northey remarked.
One last item on Northey’s agenda was the need to reduce government aid. Northey survived the farm crisis of the 1980’s, and he believes that government subsidies are not a long-term solution to low prices.
“Being a part of (the farm crisis) is an important part in progressing towards the next stage,” Northey said. “For the long-term, we need to create real corn demand, instead of relying on government funds.”
Northey believes Iowa is well on its way, as the corn demand has grown to three billion bushels.
“It really is an exciting time for Iowa now,” he said.
Northey vows strong leadership
Posted: Saturday, November 04, 2006 - 6:09:14 PM
by Bill Northey
Ag secretary candidate pushes ethanol growth.
By AIMEE TABOR atabor@thehawkeye.com Burlington Hawkeye
OAKVILLE — Bill Northey views the position of state secretary of agriculture as one that needs a strong leader who can take the state's blossoming ethanol industry to the next level.
Northey, the Republican candidate for the seat, said he has the qualities to do that and will help ensure Iowa stays No. 1 in the ethanol industry. The 46–year–old corn and soybean farmer stopped in southeast Iowa Thursday to talk with residents about their concerns.
The Spirit Lake resident is running against Democrat Denise O'Brien.
"What we need is a very conscious, very aggressive effort to make sure Iowa stays at the forefront of this bio–economy," Northey said. "We have this opportunity to have energy independence and create jobs for Iowans as well as markets for our crops."
Northey, who said he will develop a strategic plan, has promoted ethanol for the past 20 years. At every stop he's made on the campaign trail, he's heard ethanol success stories. The industry is transforming the rural economy, he said, and giving people the chance to stay in their communities with the amount of jobs that have been created.
As secretary of agriculture, Northey said he will build on other ideas, including the use of cellulose and other crops to produce ethanol. Northey said he also will push to enhance ethanol technology.
"Economic development is happening in agriculture right now," Northey said.
Northey said livestock production goes hand in hand with ethanol production, adding that more feed yards and dairies are operating in the state.
He also said he understands the importance of protecting the environment. Northey serves as soil and water conservation commissioner for Dickinson County.
Northey, who is married and has three daughters, is a fourth–generation Iowa farmer. He returned to farm with his grandfather in Spirit Lake in 1981 after graduating from Iowa State University. His background includes serving as president of the National Corn Growers Association from 1995 to 1996 and chairman from 1996 to 1997.
He's also served on other committees dealing with agriculture, soil and water quality issues. Northey was selected in 1997 to serve on the commission on 21st Century Production Agriculture, an organization that made recommendations for the 2002 Farm Bill.
State Rep. Tom Sands, R–Columbus Junction, said the state needs candidates like Northey.
"We're very fortunate to not only have a quality candidate but someone who understands agriculture, who understands the importance of the renewable fuels industry, who understands the importance of the livestock industry and has a plan to really take Iowa forward," Sands said.
REGISTER ENDORSEMENT: On cusp of a new era, Iowa needs Northey
Posted: Wednesday, November 01, 2006 - 5:24:19 AM
by Bill Northey
REGISTER EDITORIAL BOARD October 30, 2006
Iowans face a delightful dilemma in the race for secretary of agriculture:
How do you choose between two intelligent, highly accomplished leaders who
each could make outstanding contributions to the office, to Iowa and the
nation?
Each knows Iowa agriculture from the soil up, having farmed for more than 25
years. And each has already served as an ambassador for Iowa agriculture in
delegations and study groups traveling the world.
Democrat Denise O'Brien and her husband raise poultry and fruit using
organic practices on a family farm near Atlantic. Republican Bill Northey
and his family have raised corn, soybeans, alfalfa, cattle and hogs near
Spirit Lake.
Both pledge to protect Iowa's land and water and promote production of
renewable fuels as important new markets and revenue streams.
There are differences, though, to be sure. The race gets typecast as big ag
versus small, and even the New York Times swooped in to spotlight the race
as a microcosm of the nation's conflict over the future of agriculture.
O'Brien, executive director of the Women Food and Agriculture Network,
emphasizes more diversified, sustainable agriculture and locally grown
foods. Northey, past president of the National Corn Growers Association and
backed by the Iowa Farm Bureau's political action committee, places more
emphasis on expanding markets for conventional agriculture.
The big vs. small labels do injustice to both. Their visions for agriculture
are expansive enough to include all sizes of farms that grow all kinds of
food - and feedstock for fuel.
It is greater experience regarding that last factor - the growing role of
Iowa agriculture in producing renewable energy - that tips our
recommendation to Northey. In his various roles with the Corn Growers, he
was on the ground floor of building the corn-grain ethanol industry. If Iowa
is to remain a leader in the renewable-fuels revolution, it needs the best
people, with the most expertise and worldwide connections, all pulling
together to make it happen.
The shift to greater production of energy feedstocks will trigger vast
changes in Iowa agriculture, from the crops produced to the tillage methods
used to the equipment needed at harvest to the glut of feed byproducts that
could lead to expanded livestock production. And then there are the
refinements to chemical processes, improved crop genetics and a host of
other innovations needed to increase efficiency and profitability. Northey
sees the role of agriculture secretary as bringing people together. That
ability will be needed in spades.
It's needed on other fronts, too. The spread of livestock confinements
across Iowa has pitted neighbor against neighbor in battles over odor,
health impacts and quality of life. We agree with O'Brien that the
Legislature should give counties local control of zoning for livestock
agriculture. Northey opposes local control, but opens the window for greater
restrictions near tourism areas or fragile topography.
There's also growing tension between farm interests and other Iowans over
agriculture's role in polluting Iowa's waters. The next secretary of
agriculture must bring together farmers big and small, their neighbors,
environmentalists and scientists to work together on these issues.
O'Brien is experienced at consensus-building and could do that part of the
job well. But at this turning-point time for Iowa agriculture, poised to
transform itself into a much different, more vibrant industry or watch a
historic opportunity pass it by, Northey is the better choice
Northey: Clear Differences Exist Between Denise O’Brien and Myself
Posted: Monday, October 23, 2006 - 10:03:38 AM
by Bill Northey
Highlights Differences in Statewide Television and Radio Campaign
Spirit Lake, IA - Today, Bill Northey, Republican nominee for Secretary of Agriculture launched a television and radio campaign that highlights the differences between himself and Denise O’Brien.
The advertisements focus on O’Brien’s role as a “farm activist”, her support from animal rights activists in Berkeley, California and O’Brien’s own words from a Des Moines Register article, “People are convinced I'm a radical, but I'm not willing to compromise just to be widely accepted."
Bill Northey said, “There are clear differences between Mrs. O’Brien and myself. Denise is an activist, a self described radical whose vision for Iowa agriculture is to return to a pre-1920’s era where everyone had 5-10 acres of fruits and vegetables and raised free-range chickens. It’s a fringe agenda, that’s not a practical vision for Iowa agriculture.”
“We have huge opportunities in the area of renewable fuels, bio-technology and food creation. Instead of turning the clock back on Iowa agriculture, I’m ready to provide a vision for Iowa agriculture that creates markets for farmers and jobs for Iowans.”
Earlier this month on October 3rd, O’Brien held a fundraiser in Berkeley, California which was hosted by animal rights activists.
One of the hosts, Michael Pollan wrote in the New York Times in 2003, “The industrialization -- and dehumanization -- of American animal farming is a relatively new, evitable and local phenomenon: no other country raises and slaughters its food animals quite as intensively or as brutally as we do. Were the walls of our meat industry to become transparent, literally or even figuratively, we would not long continue to do it this way. Tail-docking and sow crates and beak-clipping would disappear overnight, and the days of slaughtering 400 head of cattle an hour would come to an end. For who could stand the sight? Yes, meat would get more expensive. We'd probably eat less of it, too, but maybe when we did eat animals, we'd eat them with the consciousness, ceremony and respect they deserve.”
Also in an interview with the Des Moines Register, O’Brien talked about her unwillingness to compromise and her disgust with the Democrat Party that they were not far enough to the left.
Excerpts from the Des Moines Register on 2/15/2003:
Liberal activist Denise O'Brien of Atlantic said Kucinich's anti-war message has caught her attention. She also is intrigued by Howard Dean, who signed a controversial bill allowing civil unions for gay couples in Vermont.
She blames centrist and conservative Democrats for moving the Democratic Party to the right by compromising with Republicans in the 1990s. She said former President Clinton is partly to blame for Democrats' losses last fall.
"This Bill Clinton thing of going toward the center has landed us where we are now," O'Brien said. "There's not enough difference between Democrats and Republicans."
O'Brien said she understands that having more liberal candidates potentially could fragment their collective support for any one, but she doesn't care. It's more about declaring her principles than trying to find the most electable candidate, she said.
"We have to push the agenda," said O'Brien, who got her start as an activist in the 1960s rallying against the Vietnam War. "People are convinced I'm a radical, but I'm not willing to compromise just to be widely accepted."
Northey concluded, “Voters have a clear choice this year between the candidates for Secretary of Agriculture, it’s a choice between a “fringe” agenda as offered by Mrs. O’Brien or my agenda that looks to create opportunities for new farmers, create jobs for all Iowans and make Iowa the fuel capital of the world.”
Democrat Ag Candidate Raises One Third of Her Cash Out-of-State
Posted: Friday, October 20, 2006 - 10:04:33 AM
by Bill Northey
SPIRIT LAKE,IA- As the recent financial disclosures show, there is a striking difference between the two candidates for Secretary of Agriculture. Not only did Bill Northey raise nearly $40,000 more than Denise O'Brien during the same time period, Northey's contributions have largely come from Iowa. Only 10 percent of Northey's total contributions came from outside the state of Iowa. Thirty-Two percent of O'Brien's contributions came from outside the state (largely California and New York), including a contribution from Jesse Jackson’s Keep Hope Alive Pac.
“As an Iowa farmer, I am proud to have the support of Iowans in this critical race,” said Northey. “ The issues facing Iowa are best addressed by Iowans and the fact that my opponent has raised so much of her money from outside fringe groups tells me that she would not put Iowa values first.”
Northey is a 4th generation family farmer from Spirit Lake, Iowa where he raises corn and soybeans. He has been president of the Iowa and National Corn Growers Association, the Dickinson County Soil and Water Conservation Board and numerous other leadership roles in and out of agriculture. He received his BA in Ag-Business from Iowa State University and his MBA from Southwestern Minnesota State. Northey has received the endorsements of the Iowa Corn Growers, Iowa Farm Bureau, Iowa Turkey Federation, Agribusiness Association of Iowa, Iowa Association of Commercial Nutrient Applicators and the Association of Business and Industry.
Ag secretary cadidates are quite different
Posted: Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 12:14:06 PM
by Bill Northey
By DAN GEARINO, Globe Gazette Des Moines Bureau
DES MOINES — Both of the candidates for Iowa secretary of agriculture are farmers. That’s where the similarities end.
Republican Bill Northey of Spirit Lake is the former president of the National Corn Growers Association and has strong ties to the leaders of conventional agriculture.
Democrat Denise O’Brien of Atlantic is the executive director of the Women Food and Agriculture Network and a longtime advocate for organic farming.
Northey farms 800 acres of corn and soybeans. O’Brien farms 15 acres of apples and strawberries and raises chickens and turkeys.
“We come from different places,” Northey said.
For Northey, that means he’s in the agricultural mainstream and understands the concerns of the majority of people who raise corn, soybeans, hogs and cattle. For O’Brien, that means Northey is part of a system that had led to bigger farms, fewer farmers and damage to the environment.
“I believe my opponent is for agriculture as it is, as we go down the road of greater concentration and fewer opportunities for farmers,” O’Brien said.
The candidates are competing to succeed Secretary of Agriculture Patty Judge, a Democrat, who is running for lieutenant governor. The winner will lead the Iowa Department of Agriculture and oversee programs related to farms, fuel and mining.
Northey, 47, started farming full-time in 1981 when he went to work with his 81-year-old grandfather.
“Looking back on it, it was a special time to be around him and see how he made decisions and how he felt about farming,” Northey said.
He grew up in Spirit Lake and went to Iowa State University. He went away to college with four friends from the Spirit Lake area who all got agriculture degrees and all came back home to join their family farms.
This tight-knit group would need each other in the 1980s farm crisis.
“Somehow we all survived,” Northey said.
He made ends meet by cutting costs, getting a part-time job and having his wife get a full-time job.
O’Brien, 56, grew up in Atlantic and moved to a farm for the first time when she married a farmer in 1976. Her husband, Larry Harris, was on family land raising organic crops and milking cows.
Harris and O’Brien made it through several cycles of ups and downs in the farm economy before they dramatically scaled back their farm in 1995 and got off-farm jobs. Today, O’Brien has an income from her work as a non-profit executive and Harris works for a bridge building contractor.
The lesson O’Brien draws from her experience is that a lack of decent profit margins drives the consolidation of agriculture and the depopulation of rural areas. She said the state needs to focus on making it profitable to operate a small farm.
“We have larger and larger (farms), with smaller margins and fewer farmers. That’s a real issue and it’s what my campaign is about,” she said.
Northey believes the big issue in the race is the importance of developing new agricultural technology and finding new uses for farm products.
“We’re just on the front edge of this. We should not assume it’s all going to come to us,” he said.
He uses corn-based ethanol as an example of a product that is paying dividends because Iowa took a leading role. He said the state can do the same thing with ethanol from other crop sources.
Karey Claghorn of Milo, one of Northey’s top advisers, said Northey is uniquely equipped to be the advocate Iowa agriculture needs to stay on the cutting edge.
“Not only is he respected in agriculture circles across the state, he’s respected across the country,” she said.
Claghorn suspended her own campaign for secretary of agriculture this spring to endorse Northey for the Republican nomination.
O’Brien also sees great potential in renewable fuels, but she spends much more time talking about environmental issues and the need to get more young people to become farmers.
She proposes that the Iowa Department of Agriculture start a division aimed at helping new farmers get started.
State Rep. Ed Fallon, a prominent backer of O’Brien’s campaign, said all Iowans should have a vested interest in getting more farmers on the land.
“Denise’s extensive, hands-on experience as both a farmer and an organizer make it clear that she will be a strong voice for more diverse, sustainable agricultural policies,” he said in an e-mail to supporters this summer.
Some of the greatest points of contrast between Northey and O’Brien are on issues that the Legislature, not the secretary of agriculture, will decide.
At the top of the list is regulation of hot lots.
Iowa has a long tradition of state control over the placement of animal feeding operations, such as hot lots. Farmers or companies that want to build or expand a hog lot larger than 2,500 head need to get a state permit. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources uses a point system called the master matrix to decide whether to grant a permit.
Northey and the state’s major agriculture industry groups support the current system and believe that local control would drive farmers off the land and hurt the economy.
“There are potentially 99 different regulations that can change with any supervisor race,” he said.
O’Brien and the state’s major environmental groups oppose the current system and want to see greater power given to local governments.
“I believe that there is a compromise to be made,” she said.
Dan Gearino can be reached at (515) 243-0138 and dan.gearino@lee.net.
Northey, O’Brien see bright ag economy
Posted: Monday, September 25, 2006 - 10:42:37 AM
by Bill Northey
Fort Dodge Messenger
By RANDY MUDGETT- Managing Editor
SPENCER — Bill Northey and Denise O’Brien differ on a few topics, yet the candidates both agree agriculture is the future of Iowa’s economy.
The candidates for the next Iowa secretary of agriculture faced off in a debate Sept. 14 at the 2006 Clay County Fair in Spencer. Northey, a Republican and farmer from Spirit Lake, and O’Brien, a farmer and Democrat from Atlantic, discussed several topics concerning Iowa’s ag economy, namely its quick advancement into the renewable fuels arena.
‘‘We lost a generation of farmers in the 1980s,’’ Northey said, ‘‘but we finally have a chance to say that agriculture is back in Iowa. This is an exciting time for agriculture and we must grab the opportunities that are available now because there is more at stake than ever.’’
O’Brien echoed those thoughts, agreeing that Iowa’s economy can expand more with the advent of the next era in agriculture. ‘‘Corn ethanol is just the first generation of this new economy in Iowa,’’ she said. ‘‘But, there is so much more that can be done as we go forward. We must find a way to bring more diversity to the farm if we are to include the next generation in farming.’’
Northey and O’Brien will face off in the Nov. 8 election with one of them becoming the new secretary of agriculture in Iowa. The position, however, brings with it limitations for the eventual winner as the secretary position is viewed largely as a regulatory seat, rather than a developer of policy. Northey said he still thinks that unlike past secretaries, the seat should be used as a leadership position, affecting change on legislative issues.
‘‘Folks are looking for leadership in this position,’’ Northey said. ‘‘I believe the secretary has a perfect chance to take inventory
in the department and make some needed changes. We can do a better job on regulatory issues, as well.’’
O’Brien said, ‘‘With 400 people working in the department of agriculture, this is a position that the secretary should work on policy issues and one of those policies should be how we get young people back into farming.’’
The candidates answered several questions about Iowa’s livestock industry, its future and what position the candidates take on local control of livestock buildings. The local control issue appeared to be the main divisive issue at the debate.
‘‘I am not saying we should go back in time to an era when everyone had hogs in open lots,’’ O’Brien said, ‘‘but I believe there are many parts of the state that are polarized by animal confinement issues. We must trust local communities as they know their community the best. We can strengthen family farm agriculture, but if we limit ourselves to just allowing large confinement units to take over, we lose our base of family farmers and ownership of the animals.’’
Northey disagreed, saying that farmers who are seeking opportunities for their sons or daughters to enter into farming or working beside other generations need concise, accurate laws or rules that do not change from county to county.
‘‘We need uniform standards that are predictable, science-based standards,’’ Northey said. ‘‘We can continue to grow the livestock industry in Iowa, but many people are not willing to invest in an operation that has shifting laws, rules and threats of changes in the future. I think we can be responsive to local issues about livestock, but if we stop building, this will impact the individual farmer who is looking to adding value to the grain he raises.’’
State vs. local control separates ag candidates
Posted: Sunday, September 24, 2006 - 10:40:05 AM
by Bill Northey
Both earn credentials for strong farm backgrounds, interest in Iowa products
2006 ELECTION
By JERRY PERKINS
REGISTER FARM EDITOR
Iowa voters will have a choice between two very different candidates when they go to the polls Nov. 7 to elect a new secretary of agriculture.
Republican Bill Northey and Democrat Denise O'Brien have profoundly different backgrounds and political philosophies.
Northey farms near Spirit Lake and has served in a variety of positions with the Iowa and National Corn Growers Associations, including being president of both organizations.
He's been active in the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, has been on his home county's soil and water conservation committee and is a director of Ag Ventures Alliance, a group of farmers that has pioneered farmer-owned value-added enterprises, including an ethanol plant and egg-production cooperatives.
O'Brien has an organic poultry, apple and strawberry operation near Atlantic and is executive director of the Women, Food and Agriculture Network, a nonprofit organization she helped found in 1994.
She was president of the National Family Farm Coalition and, last year, she was a delegate to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization's committee on agriculture in Rome. She was named to the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame in 2000.
In two debates last week at the Clay County Fair in Spencer and Tuesday in Newton, Northey and O'Brien differed on a number of issues, most important over local or state control of the siting of livestock operations.
Northey favors state regulation of livestock operations.
O'Brien wants to give local and county governments a say.
Even though the state ag secretary job is primarily a regulatory position, both candidates say that they will use the position as a "bully pulpit" to promote Iowa agriculture.
And, both say, they will try to bring different facets of urban and rural interests together to shape Iowa's agricultural policies.
Neither O'Brien nor Northey has held elected public office, but they both say their backgrounds have prepared them to be Iowa's ag secretary.
O'Brien said her interest in international events began when she was selected to be an exchange student in Hiroshima, Japan, by Rotary International in 1967-68.
"It was the beginning of my international experience and leadership experience," O'Brien told a luncheon meeting of the Newton Rotary.
In 1975, O'Brien came back to her hometown of Atlantic and met, and eventually married, Larry Harris, a fourth-generation farmer from the area.
Harris wanted to farm his family's place organically and O'Brien joined him in the enterprise, learning to disk and to milk cows by his side.
They wanted to raise their three children on the farm and Harris stayed home while O'Brien traveled, lobbied and worked on policies in the farm crisis of the 1980s. She also has worked on a variety of issues, including organic agriculture, women in agriculture and trade issues.
"We've committed our lives to being advocates for family farms in Iowa," O'Brien said.
She wants to bring young farmers into agriculture and promote smaller, family farm operations that can take advantage of niche markets in organic crops and livestock production.
"Small farms can be as profitable or more so than large farms," O'Brien said.
Northey has been president of both the Iowa and National Corn Growers Associations and has been active in the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.
"I've spent thousands of hours, probably tens of thousands of hours, as a volunteer because I care so much about this state," he said.
Northey said he has worked promoting ethanol "when it was just a gleam in our eye."
As a young farmer trying to get established during the farm crisis, Northey said, times were tough and young people were discouraged from getting involved in agriculture.
"We lost a whole generation of farmers," he said.
Now, ethanol and other new uses for Iowa's corn and soybean crops are giving agriculture a new optimism, he said.
"We've got to change the attitude in agriculture," Northey said.
"It's a very exciting time. We need to let good young folks know that now is the time to be involved in agriculture, on and off the farm."
******
Farm Editor Jerry Perkins can be reached at (515) 284-8456 or jperkins@dmreg.com
Local control a key issue in Iowa Ag Secretary race
Posted: Monday, September 18, 2006 - 10:41:05 AM
by Bill Northey
Brownfield Ag News for America
Monday, September 18, 2006, 3:19 PM
by Peter Shinn
Last week, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation designated GOP candidate for state agriculture secretary Bill Northey as a "Friend of Agriculture." Neil Shaffer chairs the IFBF political action committee. He said Farm Bureau likes Northey's stance on ag business development.
"We found Bill Northey to be very optimistic about the future of agriculture in Iowa, especially his environmental stance," said Shaffer. "He's a commissioner on his soil and water district back in Dickinson County, his home county, and we felt that he had a positive approach to responsible growth both in crops and livestock in the state of Iowa."
Denise O'Brien is the Democrat running against Northey. She says Farm Bureau's support of her opponent didn't surprise her, given Northey's long involvement in Farm Bureau. And she said Farm Bureau's support of Northey can be overcome.
O'Brien said the main difference between them is her belief that counties should decide what ag enterprises set-up shop in the local community. "It's one of those things where I believe something that impacts a community such as large animal confinements needs to be decided on a community level," she said.
Northey and O'Brien have been involved in very different agriculture organizations. In addition to various leadership roles with Iowa Farm Bureau, Northey is a past president of the National Corn Growers Association. O'Brien is the current Executive Director of Women Food and Agriculture Network, and is a past president of the National Family Farm Coalition.
IOWA FARM BUREAU DESIGNATES BILL NORTHEY FRIEND OF AGRICULTURE
Posted: Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 8:25:50 PM
by Bill Northey
SPIRIT LAKE, IOWA – Sept. 11, 2006 – Iowa Secretary of Iowa Candidate Bill Northey of Spirit Lake has been designated a “Friend of Agriculture” by the Iowa Farm Bureau Political Action Committee (PAC).
“The Farm Bureau endorsement is the Granddaddy of endorsements for the Secretary of Ag race,” said Northey. “I am excited about the momentum this provides our campaign and this show of support from the large Farm Bureau family underscores the vision I have for Iowa’s agriculture.
The grassroots effort to designate Friends of Ag is guided by members and begins in July when county committees began evaluation of candidates More than 90 County Farm Bureau Campaign 2006 Committees submitted candidate evaluations this year. The nine-member PAC committee carefully reviews those evaluations, while also considering candidate’s positions, issues of importance to members, leadership on Farm Bureau priorities and past voting records.
“Our organization takes these designations very seriously, and carefully considers each race,” said Neil Shaffer, PAC Committee Chair. “We’re looking for candidates who truly recognize the value that agriculture and rural communities bring to our state. The future of Iowa and agriculture is bright – and we want to work with candidates who bring out the best in both.
Northey, a 4th generation family farmer, served as President of the National Corn Growers Association in 1995-1996. He served on the Commission for 21st Century Production Agriculture and was President of the Iowa Corn Growers Association in 1990-1991. He is a member of the Bennett Roundtable of the Farm Foundation and has served on the Iowa State Committee for the Farm Service Agency of the USDA. He is a Commissioner on the Dickinson County Soil & Water District and is on the Board of Directors of AgVentures Alliance. Bill was President and Co-Founder of Innovative Growers, LLC.
Farmer wants to take expertise to state
Posted: Saturday, September 09, 2006 - 7:43:08 PM
by Bill Northey
Northey vows to keep ethanol at forefront of economy.
By AIMEE TABOR atabor@thehawkeye.com
MOUNT PLEASANT — Spirit Lake farmer Bill Northey says he wants to use his 20 years of experience in promoting ethanol to help Iowa become a leader in renewable energy.
Northey, the Republican candidate for state secretary of agriculture, said he wants to keep ethanol and renewable fuels at the forefront of Iowa's economy.
"It's a real exciting time in Iowa agriculture with all the ethanol and biodiesel plants," Northey said during an interview this week. "I really want to make sure we can grow that opportunity."
Northey, a fourth–generation farmer, returned to Spirit Lake to farm with his grandfather after graduating in 1981 from Iowa State University.
Throughout the years, Northey has been active in the farming community, serving as president of the National Corn Growers Association from 1995 to 1996 and then chairman from 1996 to 1997.
Northey also has served on other committees dealing with agricultural, soil and water quality issues. He was selected in 1997 to serve on the Commission on 21st Century Production Agriculture, an organization that made recommendations for the 2002 Farm Bill.
Northey served on the Iowa USDA Farm Service Agency State Committee from 2001 to 2005, is a Dickinson County Soil and Water Conservation commissioner and serves on other ag–related committees.
Over the years, he has promoted the state's corn and specialty soybeans by traveling with the World Trade Organization and the U.S. Grains Council to several foreign countries.
Northey said he's known for quite some time that ethanol and renewable fuels represent the state's future. Ethanol plants use corn to make ethanol. The feed is then used by livestock operations to feed the animals, Northey said.
In the future, the corn can be fermented into other products besides ethanol such as biodegradable plastics, fibers and industrial chemicals, Northey said.
"I think it's time we need some leadership in agriculture," Northey said. "I want to be able to help bring folks together on these issues."
The ethanol plants also are producing quality, high–paying jobs which means prosperity for the state, Northey said.
"The ethanol plants are providing great jobs," Northey said. "They're creating jobs in small and large towns across the state."
Northey, who is married and has three daughters, said ethanol plants are a great way to spread economic development to all parts of the state.
Northey, who is running against Democratic challenger Denise O'Brien, said he sees tremendous opportunity in the ethanol sector. Ethanol also ties in with the livestock sector because of the feed byproduct produced.
On confinement operations, which are places that raise a large concentration of animals, Northey said he feels there should be one set of rules to govern them.
"I think we need uniform, statewide science–based standards," he said. "I think we absolutely need to make sure the industry is doing a good job, which most are."
Ag secretary candidates debate farm issues at field day
Posted: Tuesday, August 29, 2006 - 10:44:19 AM
by Bill Northey
Agri-News Tuesday, August 29, 2006
By Jean Caspers-Simmet Agri News staff writer
TRIPOLI, Iowa -- Iowa secretary of agriculture candidates differ on how to regulate the livestock industry.
They spelled out their differences during a forum at last week's Bremer County Corn and Soybean Field Day northwest of Tripoli.
Bremer County Extension Education Director Rodney Hamer asked questions prepared by county corn and soybean growers.
Denise O'Brien, an Atlantic Democrat, favors local control. Bill Northey, a Spirit Lake Republican, backs state-level siting decisions.
O'Brien said she supports local control based on standards set at the state level when siting livestock facilities.
"People in their local communities should be trusted to make decisions regarding unique situations from their areas such as Karst or tourism," O'Brien said. "Iowa isn't a one-size-fits-all state."
"We absolutely need state-wide, uniform science-based standards to protect our waters," Northey said. "If things need to be added to the standards then we should do that. If we have local standards, we have at least 99 standards that can be changed with the vote of a county supervisor."
He doesn't support giving the Department of Natural Resources director authority to overturn siting decisions.
Northey said a consensus exists among farmers that the DNR has an anti-livestock attitude, and he'd like to see the Iowa secretary of agriculture have authority over livestock siting.
"I would love to see pieces of the DNR come back under the Department of Agriculture," Northey said. "We absolutely must place those buildings in the places they should be. This is not about any kind of rubber stamp. We have to have regulations to make sure to keep our water clean."
"Agriculture is an industry like other industries and should be regulated," O'Brien said.
Responsibility for regulating livestock needs to remain with the DNR.
"Having an industry regulate itself doesn't always work as we see on a national level," she said.
O'Brien said she believes in a dispersed livestock industry.
"The way our livestock industry is now is preventing people from getting into agriculture," she said. "We lost 74 percent of hog producers in the past decade because we're putting animals into smaller and smaller places. Iowa has to have livestock, and it's a good way for young people to get into agriculture."
O'Brien accused of working for 'fringe
Posted: Saturday, August 26, 2006 - 10:45:33 AM
by Bill Northey
Ames Tribune
By: Danielle Duggan
As the November elections get closer, the candidates running for Secretary of Agriculture agree on one thing: they disagree on their approaches to agriculture and its future in Iowa.
In a fundraising letter dated Aug. 4 to constituents, Republican candidate Bill Northey accused Democratic candidate Denise O'Brien of working for "fringe" agricultural groups.
O'Brien objected strongly to the characterization.
"Women in Iowa rent 50 percent of the farm land in the state, and I believe that fits the mainstream definition." she said.
O'Brien has been active in the National Family Farm Coalition, which has been instrumental in formulating a federal farm bill, and in Practical Farmers of Iowa, working to cut costs for Iowa farmers.
Northey said he believes there is a clear difference between his opponent, himself and their visions for the future of Iowa agriculture.
In an interview with the Tribune on Aug. 23, Northey said, "While we both have been involved with agriculture issues, my focus has been more on the corn growers and the Farm Bureau."
Northey says that while O'Brien works more with women in agriculture, there is a contrast with the larger efforts of his groups and cites his work for Dickenson County as an example.
"When I worked with the soil district in Dickenson County (Lake Okoboji), it was for more mainstream, traditional activities for a larger population," he said.
O'Brien sees a major difference between the candidates on the issue of local control in siting animal confinements.
"One of the differences is that I'm for local control, people making choices in their areas to best suit their needs. While I believe we need statewide standards, I trust people in their own communities can handle it," she said.
O'Brien says her main focus will continue to be on safe and healthy families, safe and healthy farms and a safe and healthy Iowa.
Northey says he would like to continue to focus on opportunities to create demand for agriculture-based products and to create jobs through ethanol and bio-based products. The "boom" for Iowa and Iowa farmers surrounds ethanol and bio-based production in creating jobs in engineering, farming and industry.
Northey Endorsed by Agribusiness Association of Iowa
Posted: Thursday, August 24, 2006 - 12:09:59 PM
by Bill Northey
Spirit Lake, IA.- Iowa Secretary of Agriculture candidate Bill Northey has received the endorsement of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa. Northey, a Republican, is a 4th generation family farmer from Spirit Lake, Iowa. The Agribusiness Association of Iowa represents the retail and wholesale agricultural industry in Iowa. AAI members sell to Iowa farmers virtually all of the inputs used in crop production. The Agribusiness Association of Iowa exists to advocate, communicate, and educate on behalf of a professional agribusiness industry. AAI represents over 900 retail locations across Iowa.
“ We are excited about the opportunities Bill Northey has conveyed in his plan for Iowa agriculture. His plan is an example of the leadership skills he will bring to the table as he negotiates the growth and responsible production of crops and livestock in the state, “ said Mona Bond, CEO of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa. “His commitment to the environment and his service to soil conservation in the state of Iowa are examples of strong leadership. Iowa must continue to be first in the nation in overall production of crops and livestock. To do this, we must have a strong voice and one that is willing to work with all facets of agriculture. Bill Northey can do that.”
Bill is a 1981 Ag Business graduate of Iowa State University. He earned a Masters in Business Administration from Southwest Minnesota State University in 2004.
“ I am extremely pleased to have the endorsement of Agribusiness Association of Iowa,” said Northey. “They continue to be an important and effective resource for farmers around the state.”
Northey served as President of the National Corn Growers Association in 1995-1996. He served on the Commission for 21st Century Production Agriculture and was President of the Iowa Corn Growers Association in 1990-1991. He is a member of the Bennett Roundtable of the Farm Foundation and has served on the Iowa State Committee for the Farm Service Agency of the USDA. He is a Commissioner on the Dickinson County Soil & Water District and is on the Board of Directors of AgVentures Alliance. Bill was President and Co-Founder of Innovative Growers, LLC.
Ag Secretary candidates debate at Farm Bureau
Posted: Friday, August 18, 2006 - 10:47:26 AM
by Bill Northey
by O. Kay Henderson
The Republican candidate for State Ag Secretary says the Iowa Department of Agriculture should decide where livestock confinements may be built.
Those decisions are made today by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, but Bill Northey of Spirit Lake says if he's elected, he'd like the agency that he'd oversee to make those rulings. "If nothing changes, the Secretary of Agriculture should work now in the current system, behind the scenes, to make sure that agriculture interests are understood by those making the regulations and certainly sometimes that does not happen...making sure that people understand the impacts to real live farmers out there," Northey says.
Denise O'Brien of Atlantic, the Democrats' Ag Secretary candidate, supports having the Department of Natural Resources retain the authority over construction permits for livestock operations. "Agriculture is an industry that needs to be regulated like any industry should be regulated," O'Brien says. "I believe that the DNR provides this regulation."
But O'Brien also supports letting county boards of supervisors have the authority to say where livestock confinements may or may not be built. Northey, the Republican in the race, says stepping away from statewide standards for the livestock industry would create chaos. "There are folks out there (who) are anti-agriculture, anti-any-size of livestock operation," Northey says. "I think local control is absolutely the wrong way to try to address any kind of livestock issues."
O'Brien, the Democratic candidate, says the objections to livestock operations started when more large-scale, concentrated confinements started springing up. "Iowans are problem solvers and there's some issues that we need to deal with in livestock, and I believe that a Secretary of Agriculture can bring people together," O'Brien says. Northey says livestock operators have made great gains in odor control and manure management -- gains that aren't acknowledged by critics of the industry. "I certainly do think that there is a negative attitude towards livestock from some sectors and that we need to counter that and the (ag) secretary needs to be part of countering that and getting the rest of the message out," Northey says.
The candidates made their comments this (Friday) morning during a candidate debate before the Iowa Farm Bureau's house of delegat
Northey encourages young farmers
Posted: Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 10:48:48 AM
by Bill Northey
THOMAS BEAUMONT
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
August 12, 2006
Republican candidate for Iowa secretary of agriculture Bill Northey spoke at The Des Moines Register's "soapbox" at the Iowa State Fair on Friday, calling now "an exciting time" for Iowa agriculture.
The race: Northey, a Spirit Lake corn and soybean farmer, is running against Democrat Denise O'Brien, a farmer from Atlantic.
Key message: Northey stressed keeping Iowa agriculture competitive with the fast-developing industries related to its products.
Crowd: About 25 supporters and passers-by listened as Northey gave a roughly five-minute speech and later took questions.
Comments about opponent? Northey said nothing about O'Brien, who is scheduled to speak at the "soapbox" at 2 p.m. Tuesday.
Issues: Northey said Iowa should change the state's tax structure to encourage younger people to enter farming. Fewer than 3 percent of the state's farmers are younger than 35, he said.
Northey also focused on enhancing Iowa's ethanol production, industries related to the corn-based fuel additive and other products from agriculture, such as pharmaceuticals and plastics.
Quote: "We've got to make sure that we're understanding the right amount of research is being done, that we're encouraging business structures here in the state that can take advantage of those and that 10 years from now we're at the forefront of that, just like now we're at the forefront of ethanol and biodiesel."
CORN GROWERS ANNOUNCE IOWA CORN PAC AWARDS
Posted: Thursday, August 03, 2006 - 9:40:39 AM
by Bill Northey
Johnston, IA, August 1, 2006 – The Iowa Corn Growers Association Political Action Committee has announced a bipartisan list of candidates who will receive Iowa Corn PAC support for the upcoming 2006 elections.
The PAC’s 2006 roster for Iowa Corn PAC awards includes candidates running for federal, statewide, and state senate seats:
• For Governor: Jim Nussle (R–Manchester)
• For Iowa Secretary of Agriculture: Bill Northey (R–Spirit Lake)
• For U.S. House of Representatives: Leonard Boswell (D–Lamoni)
Steve King (R–Kiron)
Tom Latham (R–Alexander)
• For Iowa State Senate: Daryl Beall (D–Fort Dodge)
Dennis Black (D–Grinnell)
Nancy Boettger (R–Harlan)
Hubert Houser (R–Carson)
Amanda Ragan (D–Mason City)
Joe Seng (D–Davenport)
Roger Stewart (D–Preston)
“After a rigorous review of key factors such as voting records and leadership on agricultural issues, our PAC designated six Democrats and six Republicans we will support,” said Ron Litterer, chairman of the PAC. “We are very pleased to recognize these leaders for their vision and commitment to Iowa agriculture.”
PAC award recipients were evaluated on a non-partisan basis for their support of Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) priorities such as the 25% Iowa renewable fuels standard. Final PAC decisions were made by a panel of corn growers drawn equally from the Republican and Democratic parties.
The Iowa Corn Growers PAC collects donations from ICGA members to use in supporting candidates who promote policies endorsed by the ICGA.
Ethanol demand offers opportunity
Posted: Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 8:47:35 AM
by Bill Northey
By Jennifer DeWitt
Quad City Times
As Iowa positions itself to be a leader in renewable fuel production, one of the keys to its success will be its ability to bring together the different players throughout the value chain — from the farmers to the entrepreneurs, bioprocessing companies and investors.
Helping to forge those new partnerships is one of the main roles of BIOWA, the trade association’s new executive director, Michael Ott, told a Tuesday morning DavenportOne AM session held at the Isle of Capri, Bettendorf.
He said BIOWA is helping connect businesses with universities, investors and others with the aim of expanding the use of Iowa’s natural resources and ultimately, create more opportunities and jobs in the state.
Ott said the Iowa City-based organization’s latest initiative is BIOWA Capital, which is looking to make investments in the bioeconomy, including new ethanol or biodiesel plants as well as new technologies and infrastructure.
“Iowa is getting a little bit saturated for biofuels,” Ott said, adding that it is creating a situation where other states and companies are “exporting” Iowa’s talent to help them enter the business.
While much of the attention has been on corn and ethanol as a main product, he said technologies are being developed to use other parts of the corn, such as the stalk and stover, and other crops to develop byproducts, including natural fibers, electricity and chemicals. Also on the horizon is new uses for bioproducts. “One company’s waste product could be another company’s starting products — it’s one of the things BIOWA is working on,” he said.
Among the area companies hoping to gain from the growing renewable fuel business is River/Gulf Energy, associated with River/Gulf Grain Co. and Alter Barge Line in Bettendorf. Company leaders Jeff and Rich Goldstein, who represent the fourth generation in the family business, also were on hand to discuss the company’s plans for a new $100 million ethanol plant to be built in Buffalo, Iowa.
Rich Goldstein said the company began receiving calls about investors for an ethanol plant about two years ago. But at the time, most of the new plants were locating in northwest Iowa and South Dakota, where they could purchase corn cheaper. Farmers selling their corn at river locations like River/Gulf, he said, were receiving a better return on their crops.
But with gasoline prices on the rise the past two years, the interest in ethanol has increased and ‘‘all of a sudden a river location was making more sense.”
Goldstein said all the pieces fell in place for transforming a 100-acre riverfront site — the former PCS fertilizer plant — into an ethanol plant. Among the key components is River/Gulf’s experience at buying and selling corn as well as the fact that the own a barge line that can carry their product.
The plant expects to produce 50 million gallons initially and expand to 100 million gallons a year. He said ground will be broken this fall with production slated to begin 15 months later.
“It’s nice to finally be getting plants to our side of the state,” said Rep. Steve Olson, R-DeWitt, who attended the event.
Also on hand was Bill Northey, who last month won the Republican nomination for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. A farmer for more than 20 years, he echoed that transportation and infrastructure will be key challenges as Iowa expands its renewable fuel production. “Anytime you have changes and you grow, you put up plants in places they have not been before. In some cases, plants are going where there has not been corn before,” he said.
In other cases, counties that have been net exporters of corn now may find themselves on the importing side of the equation, but the roads or railways necessary to import may not yet exist, added Northey, who will face Democrat Denise O’Brien in the general election.
But biofuel production also will have economic benefits statewide. “Jobs are going everywhere, not just the large cities but the small towns.”
Jennifer DeWitt can be contacted at 563) 383-2318 or jdewitt@qctimes.com.
THANK YOU from Bill
Posted: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 - 2:50:17 PM
by Bill Northey
Dear Friends and Family,
Wow! What a night! We did it….we being the operative word. I would not have been able to win the nod to be the Republican candidate for secretary of agriculture without your hard work and support. A big thank you must go out to my wonderful family. My wife, Cindy, picked up the slack at home while I criss-crossed the state, traveling over 40,000 miles to meet thousands of Iowans and earn votes far from home. My girls were a great help and now they will really have fun as we embark upon parade season!
I offer my thanks and best wishes to Mark Leonard and his family for a hard fought race that focused on the issues. And what can I say about Karey Claghorn? Her self-less decision to drop out of the race and endorse me was one of the most pleasant surprises of the campaign. She has worked tirelessly on my behalf and will continue to be an asset to our effort to win this seat back after 20 years of Democratic control.
We had some great turnout across the state, from Sioux County where we won with 55% of the vote to Black Hawk and Linn where we garnered 63% and 53% respectively. We were able to shine in some of the more populated areas in Iowa. We now have momentum and I am hitting the ground running. This is just the beginning and I will need your help and support in the next six months to ensure a victory come November.
Thank you again for all of your support, well wishes and hard work! I will continue to depend on all of you as I take our message of jobs for Iowans and markets for farmers across Iowa. We can do this…..We can win!
Thank you,
Bill
Campaign begins in earnest for secretary of agriculture
Posted: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 - 2:20:18 PM
by Bill Northey
By DAN GEARINO, Globe Gazette Des Moines Bureau
DES MOINES — The general election campaign for secretary of agriculture began Wednesday, with Republican Bill Northey and Democrat Denise O’Brien rallying supporters.
Northey, 47, a Spirit Lake farmer and former National Corn Growers Association president, joined other GOP nominees at an event in Des Moines.
“We are having a tremendously exciting time in Iowa agriculture right now,” he told an audience of a few dozen staff members and reporters. “Look at ethanol plants, biodiesel plants, new jobs going into small towns and large towns across this state. We’ll have great opportunities. But we need to seize these opportunities. We need to grab it to make sure Iowa has these opportunities.”
Northey won the primary with 47 percent of the vote, topping Holstein farmer Mark Leonard, who had 40 percent. Karey Claghorn of Milo, who suspended her campaign to endorse Northey, got 13 percent.
O’Brien, 56, an Atlantic farmer and activist for sustainable farming, met with Lt. Gov. Sally Pederson in Des Moines and looked ahead to five months of campaigning. Pederson, who is chairwoman of the Iowa Democratic Party, said O’Brien won Tuesday because of her strong ties to a statewide network of rural activists.
“On election night, she had a lot of friends turn out. And that was based on the work she’s been doing for decades,” Pederson said.
O’Brien won the primary by beating Dusky Terry of Greenfield, a former policy aide to Gov. Tom Vilsack. She got 57 percent of the vote and won a mix of urban and rural counties, topping Terry’s 43 percent.
Interviewed late Tuesday night, Northey said one of the main differences between himself and O’Brien is that he has a background in conventional farming methods, while O’Brien has spent her life working on organic and sustainable farming. Northey said his background may make it easier for most Iowa farmers to identify with him.
But O’Brien said Wednesday that her expertise isn’t limited to small, organic farms.
“I support all sizes of agriculture in Iowa, small, medium and large,” she said.
Both Northey and O’Brien say they want to nurture organic farming in the state. They also agree that the state has a vital interest in expanding the markets for renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel.
The candidates are vying to replace Secretary of Agriculture Patty Judge, a two-term Democrat who is the party’s nominee for lieutenant governor.
Dan Gearino can be reached at (515) 243-0138 and dan.gearino@lee.net.
Candidates join forces in ag secretary race
Posted: Friday, May 05, 2006 - 11:57:46 PM
by Bill Northey
By James Q. Lynch The Gazette
DES MOINES — Karey Claghorn has dropped out of the running for the Republican nomination for Iowa secretary of agriculture and endorsed Spirit Lake farmer Bill Northey.
‘‘This is a big day. Campaigns have big days and they have a lot of busy days and this is a very, very big day,’’ Northey said at a Statehouse news conference with Claghorn Thursday.
During the course of the campaign, Claghorn and Northey came to realize they agreed on many issues and ‘‘shared a common vision for Iowa agriculture,’’ she said.
Northey said Claghorn would be a valuable part of his campaign over the month leading up to the June 6 Republican primary and, if successful, in the general campaign.
If he is elected ag secretary, Claghorn will have ‘‘an important leadership position’’ in his administration, Northey said.
Northey faces cattlefeeder and banker Mark Leonard of Holstein for the GOP nomination.
The winner will face the winner of the Democratic primary between Dusky Terry of Dexter, a former policy director for Gov. Tom Vilsack, and Denise O’Brien of Atlantic.
Current Secretary of State Patty Judge is Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver’s running mate.
Contact the writer: (319) 398-8375 or james.lynch@gazettecommunications.com
Claghorn ends bid for Iowa ag secretary, endorses Northey
Posted: Friday, May 05, 2006 - 12:17:14 PM
by Bill Northey
By Dan Gearino of the Muscatine Journal Capital Bureau
By Dan Gearino
DES MOINES – Karey Claghorn of Milo ended her campaign for secretary of agriculture Thursday, endorsing fellow Republican Bill Northey.
Northey, a Sprit Lake farmer, is now one of two candidates competing in the June 6 Republican primary for the office, running against Mark Leonard of Holstein.
Claghorn and Northey held a joint news conference at the Statehouse to announce the move.
“We realize we have a common vision for Iowa agriculture,” said Claghorn, who is director of a national sheep producers group.
The common vision involves expanded the markets for Iowa crops and finding ways to promote the mutual of interests of animal agriculture and the renewable fuels industry.
Northey said Claghorn will campaign with him and be a high-ranking member of his staff if he is elected.
“This is a big day,” Northey said.
Northey is the former head of the National Corn Growers Association. He has been endorsed by current and former state legislators, GOP officials and leaders of farm advocacy groups.
Northey has “been a leader for a long time and been recognized across the state and nation,” said Iowa Sen. David Johnson, R-Ocheyeden, who has endorsed Northey and attended the news conference.
Leonard is backed by former governor Terry Branstad and a slate of current and former state leaders.
Two Democrats are running for secretary of agriculture, Dusky Terry of Greenfield and Denise O’Brien of Atlantic.
The current agriculture secretary, Democrat Patty Judge, decided not to seek re-election so she could run for governor. She later dropped out of the race and became the running mate for gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver.
Dan Gearino can be reached at 515-243-0138 and dan.gearino@lee.net.
Claghorn drops out endorses Northey in Ag Secretary race
Posted: Friday, May 05, 2006 - 12:14:34 PM
by Bill Northey
by Darwin Danielson
Radio Iowa
The race among Republicans running for state Ag Secretary is shrinking from three to two. Karey Claghorn, a farmer from Milo, says she's dropping out and endorsing an opponent. Claghorn says after a few weeks of talking with Bill Northey she's decided to drop out of the race and endorse Northey.
Claghorn, who has never held elected office before, is executive director of the American Hampshire Sheep Association and helps manage 16 other groups in the livestock industry. Claghorn and her husband run a cow-calf operation, with some of their two-hundred acres used to grow hay and row crops. Claghorn grew up on a farm in southern Indiana.
Claghorn says she'd talked with Northey at several forums on the campaign trail and got to know him well. Claghorn says, "In this political environment of conflict, we've decided that together we can make a greater contribution to Iowa. Because we think that working together works." Northey says he has great respect for Claghorn and Northey says her decision will make his campaign more diverse.
Northey says it "definitely makes our team stronger, makes our experiences broader." Northey says they have a lot of things to do. Northey says Claghorn's decision gives another boost to his campaign with about a month to go before the primary in June. He says people recognize that they have momentum as they've raised twice as much money as the other campaign from twice as many contributors.
Claghorn's withdrawal from the race leaves Northey to face Mark Leonard of Holstein in the primary. Two candidates will square off in the Democratic primary, Denise O'Brien of Atlantic and Dusky Terry of Greenfield. The four candidates are seeking to replace Patti Judge who is now running for Lieutenant Governor.
Race for ag secretary narrows to two
Posted: Friday, May 05, 2006 - 12:13:54 PM
by Bill Northey
By TIM HIGGINS
DES MOINES REGISTER STAFF WRITER
May 5, 2006
The field of Republicans seeking their party's nomination for Iowa secretary of agriculture narrowed to two Thursday.
Karey Claghorn of Milo dropped her bid and endorsed Bill Northey, a farmer from Spirit Lake.
"After months of campaigning with Bill, I realized that we share a common vision for Iowa agriculture," Claghorn said in a prepared statement. She praised Northey's experience in production agriculture and leadership in commodity organizations. She made her announcement at a press conference, standing next to Northey.
The race for the GOP endorsement is now between Northey and Mark Leonard of Holstein, a banker and cattleman.
"Karey's departure sharpens and refocuses this race. The differences between the two remaining Republicans will now become increasingly clear to voters," Leonard said in a statement.
Northey said he was honored to have Claghorn's support, adding that she would be active in his campaign and administration if he is elected next November. The GOP nominee will face one of two potential Democratic nominees: Denise O'Brien of Atlantic or Dusky Terry of Dexter.
The primary is June 6.
GOP ag secretary race drops to two Northwest Iowans
Posted: Friday, May 05, 2006 - 12:04:12 PM
by Bill Northey
By Bret Hayworth Sioux City Journal staff writer
The field of Republicans running for the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture position narrowed Thursday, as Karey Claghorn of Milo dropped out, leaving two Northwest Iowa men contending for the nod in the June 6 primary election.
Claghorn withdrew from the race and endorsed Bill Northey of Spirit Lake, who is vying with Mark Leonard of Holstein.
"I have decided to suspend my campaign and endorse Bill Northey. After months of campaigning with Bill, I realize that we share a common vision for Iowa agriculture," Claghorn said. "Our backgrounds are very complementary -- Bill's experience in production agriculture and national leadership in the commodity organizations and my experience in the supermarket industry, agribusiness and animal agriculture make for a great team."
Northey was grateful for the endorsement, saying it gives him momentum and solidifies his standing as the Republican front-runner.
Leonard, who has the endorsements of former governors Robert Ray and Terry Branstad, said the number of candidates falling to two "sharpens and refocuses the race," so that he and Northey can make clear to voters their differences.
"The office today requires a new skill set from what we've ever needed before. I have consistently offered a bold vision for the future of Iowa agriculture and a clear set of priorities of what I will do in the office of secretary of agriculture," Leonard said.
Leonard is a fifth-generation farmer and banker, and has taken to driving a vehicle powered by E85 ethanol to all his campaign stops. Northey served as president of the National Corn Growers Association in 1995-96 and was president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association in 1990-91.
On the Democratic side, two candidates are seeking the agriculture secretary position, Dusky Terry of Greenfield and Denise O'Brien of Atlantic.
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