Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Visits Pocahontas Rotary Club

Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward spoke with the Rotary Club of Pocahontas on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at Black River Technical College.

Ward spoke to members about updates and improvements of state plans for agriculture. He mentioned the Arkansas Water Plan and how the state is now in phase two of making an updated version. This plan would make sure that clean water is available to all Arkansans, and it would re-visit Arkansas’ water infrastructure needs.

The Secretary of Agriculture also addressed Rotary members’ concerns about keeping young row crop farmers in the Delta. Ward said that while the row crop community is showing good production, they are struggling financially. He said it would be a great opportunity to strengthen ties to clubs like Future Farmers of America (FFA) and 4-H, and to implement state programs like Farm to School.

The Secretary of Agriculture serves under the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. The department has four divisions that oversee the development of agriculture in the state: Forestry, Livestock and Poultry, Natural Resources, and Plant Industries.

For more information about the Arkansas Department of Agriculture visit https://www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/.