Awards & Recognition
★2019 George Washington Carver Award for Innovation in Industrial Biotechnology
★2001 BIO Governor of the Year Award by Biotechnology Industry Organization
★2024 RFA Industry Award from Renewable Fuels Association
★Multiple USDA Honor Awards during tenure
Notable Facts
→Longest-serving member of Obama's original Cabinet (2009-2017)
→Served as both 30th and 32nd U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under Obama and Biden
→Two-term Governor of Iowa (1999-2007)
→Recently appointed CEO of World Food Prize Foundation (March 2025)
→Was on Hillary Clinton's VP shortlist in 2016
→Second longest-serving Secretary of Agriculture in U.S. history
→Founded Governor's Biotechnology Partnership
→Previously served as President/CEO of U.S. Dairy Export Council (2017-2021)