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Ernst praises Northey for ‘nutrient reduction’ leadership

At Bill Northey’s confirmation hearing to be USDA undersecretary for farm and conservation programs, Iowa Senator Joni Ernst commended the Iowa ag secretary for his leadership in implementing the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.

“We’ve seen the positive impact of this relatively young program already,” Ernst said, “and we know that continuing our efforts to promote voluntary, incentive-based conservation are going to yield results in soil health and water quality.”

Northey called the program one of his “pride and joys”.

“Do we have a long ways to go? Absolutely. We have lots more that needs to get done,” Northey said. “But what I’m excited about is the momentum, both in the interest of farmers and bringing in lots of outside groups, leveraging those state dollars, partnering with our federal partners, and bring in lots of other organizations.”

Northey points to the increase in cover crops in Iowa as one indicator of the program’s positive momentum. Acreage has increased from less than 100-thousand acres of cover crops before the strategy was implemented to more than 600-thousand acres in 2016.

If approved, Northey will oversee the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) within USDA.