The U.S. Senate has confirmed Greg Ibach to be the U.S. under secretary of agriculture for marketing and regulatory programs.
Ibach, who has served the past 12 years as the director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, is expected to be sworn in during the upcoming days.
Ibach has been inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement and honored with the Service to Agriculture recognition from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln, College of Agriculture Science and Natural Resources, among other honors.
The Senate Agriculture Committee had previously given its approval for Ibach’s confirmation, with a full letter of endorsement signed by Chairman Pat Roberts and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow.
“Greg’s experiences as a rancher and dedicated public servant to the State of Nebraska for nearly 20 years will serve USDA and rural America well, stated Roberts, R-Kansas. “I’m proud the Senate Agriculture Committee and our colleagues in the Senate worked in a swift and bipartisan manner to get Greg to work at USDA.”
Ibach’s confirmation has also been endorsed by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), as well as about 60 other agriculture organizations.
“Director Ibach will be a great asset at USDA for American agriculture,” said NPPC President Ken Maschhoff, a pork producer from Carlyle, Illinois. “Farmers and ranchers couldn’t ask for a better person to lead this key USDA department.”
Replacement at Nebraska Department of Agriculture
According to an email from Christin Kamm, public information officer for the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Gov. Pete Ricketts will make an announcement regarding the selection process for a new department director soon. She stated that interested parties can apply online on the governor’s website.
Northey confirmation stalled
Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey was also nominated for under secretary of agriculture for farm production and conservation at the same time Ibach’s nomination was made. The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced both nominations on the same day, yet Northey has not yet been confirmed.
