NCC Applauds Northey Confirmation to USDA Post

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The National Cotton Council conveyed its support of today’s Senate confirmation of Bill Northey to serve as USDA’s Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Service.

 Under USDA’s reorganization, Northey will manage the mission area that encompasses the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Risk Management Agency.

“Under Secretary Northey is a champion of agricultural stewardship, which the U.S. cotton industry thoroughly supports,” NCC Chairman Ron Craft said. “The U.S. cotton industry looks forward to working with him to implement the recently enacted seed cotton provisions within the current farm bill.  As the Under Secretary for three key producer-facing agencies at USDA, he will bring key leadership to the department that will directly impact cotton producers across the Cotton Belt.”

Craft, a Plains, Texas ginner, said Northey has a proven track record having served Iowa’s farmers for more than a decade as that state’s Secretary of Agriculture.

“His leadership should prove invaluable in the implementation of the next farm bill,” Craft said.

As the unifying force of the U.S. cotton industry, the Memphis-based National Cotton Council has a mission of ensuring the ability of all industry segments to compete effectively and profitably in the raw cotton, oilseed and U.S.-manufactured product markets at home and abroad.