§ 25-38-203 - Arkansas Agriculture Department -- Powers and duties. - Arkansas Statutes

25-38-203. Arkansas Agriculture Department -- Powers and duties.

The Arkansas Agriculture Department shall:

(1) Administer the departments, institutions, other agencies, or parts of departments, institutions, or other agencies transferred to the department under 25-38-204 and 25-38-205;

(2) Coordinate all existing programs and create any new programs that will enhance the marketing of the state's agricultural products to intrastate, national, and international markets;

(3) Establish a clearinghouse for collecting, correlating, analyzing, and interpreting marketing and educational information and data concerning needs of and resources for agriculture, aquaculture, horticulture, forestry, and kindred industries;

(4) Develop a Web site devoted to marketing and education concerning agriculture, aquaculture, horticulture, forestry, and kindred industries, including a distinctive logo publicizing products as "Grown in Arkansas";

(5) Encourage the organization of neighborhood and county agricultural clubs and associations;

(6) Coordinate the various activities of the department with those of the federal government and other states on matters pertaining to agriculture, aquaculture, horticulture, forestry, and kindred industries and enter into agreements for that purpose;

(7) Coordinate with existing programs concerning agriculture, aquaculture, horticulture, forestry, and kindred industries with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture;

(8) Make all contracts and grants and employ, to the extent funds are available, such personnel as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter; and

(9) Assist other departments, agencies, and institutions of the state and federal governments, when so requested, by performing services in conformity with the purposes of this chapter.