Wes Ward

Wes Ward is serving as the 3rd Secretary of Agriculture for the State of Arkansas. He was appointed to the position in March 2015 by Governor Asa Hutchinson.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture includes the Forestry Commission, Livestock and Poultry Commission, Natural Resources Commission, State Plant Board, Board of Registration for Foresters, Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers, and the Veterinary Medical Examining Board.

Wes is from the small town of Lake City in Northeast Arkansas and is a graduate of Riverside High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business with an emphasis in Agricultural Finance from Arkansas State University. Wes has also earned a law degree (JD), a Master of Laws degree (LL.M.) in Agricultural and Food Law, and a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Arkansas.

Wes has been serving in the United States Marine Corps for over 18 years and has completed deployments and training exercises in Afghanistan, Jordan, and Japan. He is currently serving in the Marine Corps Reserves. Wes has also worked as a Field Coordinator for U.S. Congressman Rick Crawford and as an Adjunct Law Professor at the University of Arkansas School of Law.