Greg Ibach receives Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute’s highest honor
The Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council presented its highest honor, the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute’s Award of Merit, to Greg Ibach, under secretary of USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs, during NAYI’s annual banquet, July 11, in Lincoln. Ibach is the former director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, the state agency that oversees NAYC and NAYI.
“Under Secretary Ibach has a longstanding history of supporting Nebraska youth interested in agriculture at home and through various organizations like NAYC, FFA and 4-H,” said NDA Director Steve Wellman. “He has provided guidance to numerous students encouraging and supporting them through their ag-related coursework and career choices. He is very deserving of this honor.”
Ibach served as NDA’s director from June 2005 until he was confirmed by the Senate and sworn in by USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue as under secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs in October 2017. As NDA director, Ibach was a leader for Nebraska agriculture. He had oversight of Nebraska’s plant and animal heath regulatory functions, and, effectively supervised NDA staff and programs with the ability to analyze issues, develop strategies and create solutions for domestic and global initiatives. Ibach has been actively involved in foreign and domestic marketing and development activities for the better part of his career.
Ibach earned his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from UNL with majors in Animal Science and Agricultural Economics. He has been inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement and honored with the Service to Agriculture Recognition from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln, College of Agriculture Science and Natural Resources. He is also a former president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.
“When we say that NAYI is for future leaders of agriculture, we really mean it,” said Wellman. “In 1979, Under Secretary Ibach was a NAYI delegate himself. As the Institute enters its 47th year, I imagine receiving this Award of Merit will be especially memorable to him.”
Ibach and his wife, Teresa, own a farm/ranch operation in Sumner, Nebraska, and have three grown children.