Rutledge, Ward go to D.C. conference

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge and Arkansas Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward attended Tuesday’s White House Conference on Rural Prosperity.

They were joined by Vice President Mike Pence and several other key administration officials, including Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke.

Rutledge, who serves as co-chairman of the National Association of Attorneys General Committee on Agriculture, said the meeting was “a great opportunity to not only visit with other state leaders and local leaders across the country, but our national leadership with regards to agriculture.”

Members of President Donald Trump’s administration said they are looking for opportunities to increase trade and decrease regulatory burdens, Rutledge said.

“Rural America is really the backbone for so many jobs,” she said. “If rural America is succeeding, America is succeeding.”

Ward said the meeting highlighted the administration’s commitment to rural America.

“It brought in agriculture leaders from all 50 states, rural leaders,” he said. “We’ve never had an event like this.”

“This administration, from the White House on down. … they’re committed to working on agriculture issues,” he added.