New officers elected to state agriculture board

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Agriculture Board elected new officers at its quarterly meeting at the Arkansas Department of Agriculture in November. Sam Angel II of Lake Village was elected chair, and Kyle Baltz of Pocahontas was elected to serve as vice chair. Baltz is a row-crop and cattle producer and a partner in several agribusinesses in northeast Arkansas. Baltz was appointed to the State Plant Board by Gov. Asa Hutchinson in 2015 and has served on the board as the State Plant Board representative since May 2017.

“We look forward to working with Mr. Angel and Mr. Baltz in their new leadership roles,” said Wes Ward, Arkansas secretary of agriculture. “Their extensive agricultural and leadership experience will serve the board and the Department of Agriculture well.”The 20-member board advises the Arkansas secretary of agriculture and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture on all matters concerning agriculture in the state. The board elects officers every two years.

Hutchinson recently reappointed Ron Cavenaugh to another four-year term on the board and appointed Damon Helton as a new member of the board. Cavenaugh owns Cavenaugh Farms in Walnut Ridge and represents grain producers on the board. “I’m pleased the board will continue to benefit from Mr. Cavenaugh’s experience and knowledge …,” Ward said. “The board serves an important role, and I appreciate each member’s valuable knowledge and insight.”