Bill Northey made it official this afternoon, resigning as state agriculture secretary to take a job as undersecretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

Northey will be sworn in at USDA during a ceremony at 8 p.m. Tuesday in Des Moines at the Iowa Agriculture Leaders Dinner. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue plans to lead the ceremony at the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center at the State Fairgrounds.

Mike Naig, who had served as Northey’s top aide, became state agriculture secretary today after he was appointed by Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Northey issued a statement about his 11 years as agriculture secretary, praising landowners for their conservation work and promoting the state’s voluntary approach to solving water quality problems. He also noted the work to improve biosecurity and promote ethanol production. 

“Throughout my time in office, I have worked hard to represent these and all the other farm families of the state and share their values of land stewardship, hard work, patience, dedication and perseverance,” Northey said.