Mike Naig named Iowa agriculture secretary

Mike Naig has been appointed as the new Iowa secretary of agriculture.

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Mike Naig has been appointed to succeed Bill Northey as Iowa's secretary of agriculture. | Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Mike Naig has been appointed to succeed Bill Northey as Iowa's secretary of agriculture. | Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Mike Naig has been appointed as the new Iowa secretary of agriculture.

His appointment was made by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on March 1. Naig was chosen to succeed Bill Northey, who on February 27 was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to become the under secretary of agriculture for farm production and conservation.

Naig has been the state’s deputy agriculture secretary under Northey since 2013.

“Mike Naig has been a dependable deputy for Bill Northey, serving since September 2013,” Reynolds said in a press release. “He has gained the experience, knowledge and staff connections necessary to complete Bill’s term through January 2019. I am pleased Mike has stepped up to serve his fellow Iowans in this elevated role.”

Naig grew up on a family farm near Cylinder, Iowa. He continues to be involved in the operation today.

As deputy secretary, Naig was responsible for the operations of the department, specifically policy, budget and personnel. He also regularly travelled across the state and on international trade missions.  Before joining the state’s agriculture department, Naig had been active in the agribusiness industry for more than 13 years, having served in public policy roles for state and national trade associations and in private industry.

“It has been an honor to serve as a partner with Secretary Northey to help lead the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship for the past four and a half years and I look forward to continuing to work on behalf of the people of Iowa,” Naig stated.

“I have spent my entire career in agriculture and am inspired by the passion and commitment of the hard-working men and women who keep us fed and fueled. I look forward to travelling the state as secretary to meet with and hear from Iowans to better represent their interests and be responsive to their needs.”

Naig is a graduate of Buena Vista University in Storm Lake with degrees in biology and political science. He and his wife Jaime have three sons.

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