ICGA Congratulates Julie Kenney on Becoming Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture

On behalf of Iowa’s corn farmers, I would like to congratulate Julie Kenney on her new role as Deputy Secretary of Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship under Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. Julie has been an active member of the Iowa Corn Growers Association and contributed significantly to the success of the CommonGround program as a longtime volunteer.

CommonGround, a key National Corn Growers Association program, includes 19 different states with over 200 women farmer volunteers. In Iowa, CommonGround volunteers focus on engaging those who make the food purchasing decisions for their families and giving them the tools to make informed food choices. During her time as a volunteer, Julie used her communications expertise and her role as a mother and farm wife to help tell the story of America’s farm families. One of the highlights of her time as a volunteer included serving as a guest on Bill Nye the Science Guy television show talking about the science behind GMOs. We know this experience will serve her well in connecting with consumers and promoting Iowa agriculture in her new position.

As Deputy Secretary, Kenney will aid in management responsibilities for the Department focusing on the areas of personnel, budget, and policy. She will also support the Department’s efforts of being assessable to all Iowans by traveling regularly to represent the Department at meetings across the state.

Before joining the Department, Kenney worked as a marketing and communications professional for nearly 15 years, serving various roles for private industry, agricultural associations, and checkoff programs. She has a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa.

Julie and her husband Mark own and operate a fifth-generation corn and soybean farm in Story County and have two children, Lauren and Landon.

We look forward to working with Deputy Secretary Kenney in her new role on several key issues facing Iowa’s corn growers.

CONTACT: Lisa Cassady, PR Manager, lcassady@iowacorn.org, office 515-225-9242 or cell (515) 443-3947

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