Vaden to keynote as agricultural trade discussion takes center stage March 17 at Winthrop Rockefeller Institute
“I see this as one of the most important issues facing the agricultural industry at this time.” — Deacue Fields
Feb. 24, 2026
Fast Facts
- Space is limited; registration available online at wrinst.org/lecture
- Event opens with panel discussion
- USDA Deputy Secretary Vaden to give keynote
(505 words)
Download file art of Vaden in field, portrait
MORRILTON, Ark. — Three people with expertise in agriculture, commerce and economic policies will be tackling issues related to the world’s multi-trillion dollar agricultural trade during a public discussion March 17 at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute.
The event begins at 9 a.m. and is free to attend, but registration before the event is required, as space is limited. Registration is available online at wrinst.org/lecture. The Winthrop Rockefeller Institute is located at 1 Rockefeller Drive in Morrilton.
The event opens with a panel discussion with Darci Vetter, former deputy U.S. trade representative for agriculture, and Andrew Mohammad, professor and Blasingame Chair of Excellence in Agricultural Policy with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. The discussion will be followed by the keynote address from U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden.
“Global agricultural trade has had a tremendous impact on U.S. commodity prices,” said Deacue Fields, head of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, who is also on the institute's board. “We have a panel of experts who can provide insights on the long- and short-term impacts for Arkansas’ major commodities.
“I see this as one of the most important issues facing the agricultural industry at this time,” he said.
The speakers:
- Stephen Vaden, USDA deputy secretary, who leads the department’s operations and implements policies that support America’s food and farm systems. A native of Union City, Tennessee, Vaden brings expertise in agricultural policy, law and rural development. Previously, he served as a judge on the U.S. Court of International Trade and as USDA general counsel. Throughout Vaden’s time as general counsel, he led successful Supreme Court litigation, advanced regulatory reform and supported the implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill.
- Darci Vetter, now principal with Sower Strategies LLC in Washington, D.C., has a career that spans more than two decades of policy leadership, including service as the deputy U.S. trade representative for agriculture and undersecretary of agriculture for trade, and serving as the head of global public policy for PepsiCo and the Nature Conservancy.
- Andrew Muhammad, a professor at UT’s department of agricultural and resource economics, brings decades of experience to the Blasingame Chair position, focusing on assisting decision-makers in evaluating opportunities, policies and programs related to international trade. Muhammad previously served as the associate director at USDA’s Economic Research Service and chief of its International Demand and Trade Branch.
“This year’s WRDLS event reflects the institute’s belief that the most important challenges facing our state are best addressed through collaboration and the respectful, open exchange of ideas,” said Janet Harris, institute executive director and chief executive officer.
“We are proud to welcome distinguished voices to Petit Jean Mountain and to offer Arkansans the opportunity to engage directly with leaders shaping agricultural trade and policy. Events like WRDLS create space for meaningful conversations that directly impact our state’s rural communities and our shared economic future,” Harris said.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station at aaes.uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land-grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media Contact:
Nick Kordsmeier
Nkordsme@uada.edu