Wes Ward (@weswardAR) header
Wes Ward (@weswardAR) profile picture

Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture. Marine. Christ-Follower.

Joined June 2013
Photo by Wes Ward (@weswardAR)Photo by Wes Ward (@weswardAR)Photo by Wes Ward (@weswardAR)Photo by Wes Ward (@weswardAR)Photo by Wes Ward (@weswardAR)Photo by Wes Ward (@weswardAR)Photo by Wes Ward (@weswardAR)Photo by Wes Ward (@weswardAR)Photo by Wes Ward (@weswardAR)Photo by Wes Ward (@weswardAR)
Arkansas farmers and loggers work hard to keep our country going, so I’m extending relief through the end of the year to keep fuel costs down and our state moving forward.
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They keep the lights on, the water running, and our communities safe. Celebrating America’s 250th gave us one more reason to say thank you to the hardworking men and women who make Arkansas so great!
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I was honored to join Senator @JohnBoozman at the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff to hear from Arkansas farmers on how we can best support fisheries across the state and to open the new student center!
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Arkansas is waiving regulations on untaxed red dye diesel to allow our farmers and loggers to get their product to market more affordably. That’s just one of my administration’s actions to make life more affordable for Arkansans.
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Arkansas rice farmers made a significant impact today, donating 201,500 pounds of rice to the Arkansas Foodbank. Their contribution will put 2 million servings of Arkansas rice on tables across the state and reflects the commitment our farmers have to feeding their neighbors. We were proud to join Governor Sanders, Arkansas Rice, and the farmers who made this donation possible as we packed rice and celebrated Rice Month.
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201,500 pounds. 2 million servings. All Arkansas rice, feeding Arkansas families. That’s how we’re celebrating Rice Month — supporting our farmers, feeding our neighbors, and strengthening communities across our state.
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Peanuts are an expanding crop in Arkansas. But if Delta Peanut fails, it’ll leave this year’s harvest rotting in the ground. This short-term bridge loan will allow this year’s harvest to proceed. And looking forward, peanuts can add diversity to the ag industry in the Delta.
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The Bunker Fire at Highland Industrial Park is approximately 2,000 acres. The fire has containment lines around 75 percent of the perimeter. Total containment is estimated at 35 percent. Fifteen homes and approximately 150 workers were evacuated. Residents have been allowed to return. Zero structures have been lost and no injuries reported. State and federal resources continue to work the fire.
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We’re closely monitoring the ongoing fire at Highland Industrial Park in Camden. State personnel are working to contain it and evacuate the area. I appreciate the outreach we’ve gotten from the @DeptofWar and @WhiteHouse and the assistance from local officials and businesses.
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Kenya, Australia, New Zealand. It was an honor to participate in trade missions focused on creating opportunities for Arkansas and U.S. agriculture. @ARDeptAg @NASDAnews @NASDAtradeshows @USDAForeignAg @TheUSA @usembassynz @USEmbassyKenya
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I’ve declared a state of emergency and directed $250,000 to support the ongoing efforts to contain fires in South Arkansas. We are standing with our first responders as they work to bring this fire under control.
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Thank you Governor @SarahHuckabee and @arkansasguard for the quick action to help the firefighters on the ground! @ARDeptAg
We’ve deployed the Arkansas National Guard to assist with the ongoing fire fight in Union County. We are continuing to monitor the situation and will provide additional assistance as needed.
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Annual training with the Marines and Sailors of 4th Law Enforcement Battalion. New Mexico, California, Ohio, and Indiana.
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Proud to represent Arkansas at the Ag250 event at George Washington’s Mount Vernon celebrating the importance of U.S. agriculture, followed by productive conversations with USDA officials and even a quick visit with former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. @ARDeptAg @NASDAnews @USDA @JohnBoozman
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July is Arkansas Corn Month! We joined the Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Promotion Board at the Lou Mann Cotton Research Station in Marianna to celebrate one of Arkansas’ most important crops. Corn plays a vital role in food, fuel, and feed production. In Arkansas alone, it generated nearly $603 million last year, with farmers producing over 143 million bushels on 790,000 acres.
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Delegates from Azerbaijan, Chile, Nigeria, the Philippines, North Macedonia, and Vietnam are in Arkansas this week through the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. During their visit to our office in Little Rock, they met with Secretary Ward, highlighting the importance of strong international relationships and the exchange of ideas that strengthen agriculture globally. We were proud to welcome them and hope they enjoy their time learning about Arkansas agriculture!
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Then, @AR_Extension's Dr. Emily McDermott and @ARDeptAg Secretary @WesWardAR explain what the new world screwworm’s presence in the U.S. means for Arkansas. They'll discuss new guidance for handling livestock, as well as symptoms, prevention, treatment and how to report cases.
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Marines with 4th Law Enforcement Battalion demonstrate detainee handling and prisoner detention procedures for members of the Japan Self-Defense Force during Resolute Dragon 26 in Oita Prefecture, Japan, on June 21, 2026. #MARFORRES #ResoluteDragon26 #Pacific
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Always great to spend a weekend with the Marines and Sailors of 4th Law Enforcement Battalion. @marforres
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Just wrapped up a virtual meeting with ~50 of our outstanding Texas cattle ranchers and @TAHC. I also have been in contact with @GregAbbott_TX, @LtGovTX, and the @Burrows4TX team. Our food supply is 100% safe. This potential New World Screworm detection is being fully contained and is not a harm to the American food supply or consumer safety. The NWS specimen has arrived at the airport in Ames, IA and is being transferred to National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL). We will update as soon as we have confirmed test results. Unfortunately, the open-border policies of the last administration and the resulting illicit cattle movement throughout Mexico have caused NWS to potentially reach our side of the border. BUT, there is no one better than Texas and our live stock producers to have in this fight. All models showed NWS coming to the U.S. last summer/early fall — so a big thank you to our partners across the industry and local, state and the entire Trump administration for unprecedented action that gave us almost an extra year to prepare for this moment. Together with so many partners, including the Texas Animal Health Commission, Texas A&M AgriLife, Texas Farm Bureau, Texas Cattle Feeders and Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, we will effectively combat, contain and eventually eradicate this pest. Additional @USDA personnel have arrived in South Texas to support our partners on the ground. The National Veterinary Stockpile is ready to deploy and on its way. I now call on our producers to be vigilant and watchful. The most effective thing to do right now is to put eyes on all live stock. If you see anything suspicious, contact your state animal health official (linked on the screwworm.gov website). Texas cattle and live stock producers are the backbone of our state and our nation. We will meet this challenge head-on. Go to SCREWWORM.GOV for daily updates.
A case of NWS may have been detected in South Texas. The sample is now at USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, lowa for confirmatory testing. We will provide updates the moment results are available. We have already activated personnel on the ground and are working with local partners. What you can expect from us is transparency, candor, and most important — action. screwworm.gov
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