Arkansas Ag Secretary Ward to present Mid-South conference keynote
“There is a lot that state agriculture departments and agricultural stakeholders can learn from each other as policies and regulations evolve.” —Wes Ward
By Drew Viguet
National Agricultural Law Center
U of A System Division of Agriculture
April 2, 2025
Fast facts:
- Wes Ward will present Mid-South Ag & Environmental Law Conference keynote
- Conference is co-hosted by National Ag Law Center and the NASDA Foundation
- Registration is online
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture and president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, or NASDA, will deliver the keynote address for the 12th Annual Mid-South Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference.
Wes Ward will deliver the keynote address, “Perspectives on State Ag Departments, Trade, and Ag Industry.” The presentation will take place during the Mid-South conference’s online “Early Bird” program on Wednesday, May 14, before the main conference in June.
Attendees must register for the Mid-South conference by May 13 to attend this online-only bonus event, which offers continuing legal education credit, as well as continuing education from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.
“Secretary Ward’s contribution to agriculture is recognized far and wide, as evidenced by his prominent national leadership role as president of NASDA,” said Harrison Pittman, director of the National Agricultural Law Center, or NALC. “Wes is a leading voice for the ag community in Arkansas and beyond, and we’re looking forward to him sharing his perspectives with us for the conference keynote.”
The NALC has partnered with the NASDA Foundation to co-host both of its 2025 conferences, the Mid-South conference and the Western Water, Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference.
Registration for the Mid-South is available online at http://nationalaglawcenter.org/midsouth2025.
“I look forward to discussing the current state of agriculture during the Mid-South ‘Early Bird,’ as well as where things are heading for the industry,” said Ward. “There is a lot that state agriculture departments and agricultural stakeholders can learn from each other as policies and regulations evolve.”
Pittman said that similarities between NALC and the NASDA Foundation make the conference partnership a tremendous benefit for stakeholders.
“We have partnered with NASDA on strategic efforts over the years, and it’s great to partner alongside them on these premiere conference events,” Pittman said. “The NASDA Foundation is a vital resource to the agricultural community, serving stakeholders, students and more across the country.”
Following the Mid-South “Early Bird,” the main conference program will be held June 5-6 in Memphis, Tennessee, with a livestream option available.
For information about the NALC, visit nationalaglawcenter.org. The NALC is also on X, Facebook and LinkedIn. For more on the NASDA Foundation, visit http://nasda.org/nasda-foundation. The NASDA Foundation is on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
About the National Agricultural Law Center
Created by Congress in 1987, the National Agricultural Law Center serves as the nation’s leading source of agricultural and food law research and information. The NALC works with producers, agribusinesses, state and federal policymakers, lenders, Congressional staffers, attorneys, land grant universities, students, and many others to provide objective, nonpartisan agricultural and food law research and information to the nation’s agricultural community.
The NALC is a unit of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and works in close partnership with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, National Agricultural Library.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media contact:
Drew Viguet
Communications & Special Projects Coordinator
National Agricultural Law Center
dviguet@uark.edu