Agricultural Challenges Trends and Opportunities
Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
michael.naig@iowaAgriculture.gov
iowaagriculture.gov
Mike Naig grew up on a family farm in the northwest corner of the state near Cylinder, Iowa and he continues to be involved in the operation today. Mike is a graduate of Buena Vista University in Storm Lake with degrees in biology and political science. He and his wife Jaime have three boys.
Mike was elected as the 15th Iowa Secretary of Agriculture in November 2018 and reelected in 2022. He previously served as the Deputy Secretary at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. In a state where agriculture is a leading economic driver, Mike knows that protecting our air, soil and water is essential to our success. He works with initiatives that encourage public-private partnerships and leads efforts that will protect our natural resources.
As Secretary, he is committed to lead efforts to expand economic opportunities for Iowans and is an advocate on behalf of the hard-working men and women who keep us fed and fueled. Attracting and retaining talent in Iowa agriculture is a reoccurring topic during his 99 county visits and Mike believes we need to continue to engage young people and encourage them to pursue rewarding careers in agriculture.
As the Secretary of Agriculture, he is focused on the following commitments:
Expanding Markets & Trade: Mike is supportive of policies that will open new markets for the farmers of Iowa and is dedicated to expanding opportunities for livestock producers, agribusiness, and crop farmers.
Water Quality & Land Stewardship: As an advocate for healthy soil and water, Mike led the initiative for the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy and will continue to find partnerships to build momentum for water quality.
Promoting Careers in Agriculture: Secretary Naig believes it is important to inspire and engage young Iowans to pursue agriculture careers to retain the knowledge and talent our state has.