Wes Ward Addresses 26th annual Agribusiness Conference
Wes Ward, Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture, at the 26th annual Agribusiness Conference
JONESBORO – Several hundred farmers, agribusiness professionals, students and educators from across the Mid-South braved heavy rain to attend Arkansas State University’s 26th annual Agribusiness Conference at Arkansas State University.
Speakers at the yearly event offer timely information and updates on agricultural policy, the Arkansas economy, and the credit and commodity markets.
The featured luncheon speaker was Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward, who earned his degree in agribusiness from A-State's College of Agriculture before continuing into graduate work and law school at the University of Arkansas.
After discussing the importance of agriculture to the Arkansas economy, Ward emphasized the benefits of Gov. Asa Hutchinson's efforts to streamline state government by bringing together agencies with related missions to work as a team, such as those supporting agriculture.
The improved collaboration and communication between state entities that touch various aspects of the agricultural industry, he explained, result in better service to the public and better support for agriculture.
Ward also talked about the department's goals regarding operational improvements, implementing more technology-based solutions, better partnerships on matters involving federal government agencies, and developing international trade.
Joining the College of Agriculture to sponsor the conference were:
The Judd Hill Foundation, Adams Land Co., AgHeritage Farm Credit Services, Allenberg Cotton Co., Arkansas Farm Bureau, Arvest Bank, BASF, Busch Agricultural Resources LLC, Engines Inc., Farm Credit Midsouth, Glaub Farm Management, Greenway Equipment Inc., Helena Agri-Enterprises LLC, National Land Realty, NK/Syngenta, Ozark Mountain Poultry, Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC, Riceland Foods Inc., RiceTec Inc., and USA/Arkansas Rice.
# # #
