ROGERS, AR – Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward has concluded his term as president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), where he led the organization through a year of record-breaking events, expanded international engagement, and strengthened collaboration on key agricultural issues.
Ward’s presidency began in September 2024 and concluded with the 2025 NASDA Annual Meeting in Rogers, Arkansas. Over the past year, he represented state departments of agriculture at national and international meetings, highlighting agriculture’s role in securing our food supply and fueling economic growth.
“Serving as NASDA president has been an honor and an opportunity to showcase Arkansas agriculture on both a national and global stage,” said Secretary Ward. “Agriculture is national security, and NASDA continues to demonstrate how states can lead in strengthening our food supply, protecting natural resources, and supporting farmers and ranchers.”
Key highlights of Ward’s NASDA presidency included:
Tri-National Accord (October 2024): Chaired the annual meeting of senior state and provincial agricultural officials from the United States, Canada, and Mexico to strengthen cooperation on agricultural trade and development.
Winter Policy Conference (February 2025): Hosted the largest policy conference in NASDA history, bringing together commissioners, secretaries, and directors of agriculture with federal agencies, congressional leaders, and industry stakeholders.
International Engagement: Represented U.S. agriculture on outbound trade missions to India, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the Africa Food Systems Forum in Senegal, while also hosting an in-bound forestry-focused trade delegation from the United Kingdom.
NASDA Annual Meeting (September 2025): Concluded his presidency by hosting a record-breaking annual meeting in Rogers, Arkansas, with Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, state and federal leaders, industry partners, and international delegates in attendance.
NASDA represents the commissioners, secretaries, and directors of agriculture from all 50 states and four U.S. territories. The organization serves as the premier forum for shaping agricultural policy, promoting collaboration across states, and strengthening agriculture at home and abroad.
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