The Division of Agriculture was created on September 26, 1959, with a vote of the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees to create a system-level entity to administer agricultural teaching, research and extension programs in the state as part of the land-grant mission. It includes the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Cooperative Extension Service and operates alongside the colleges of agriculture at the system campuses. The Division has members on five campuses, at five research and extension centers, and in extension offices in all 75 counties. The Division’s mission “is to strengthen agriculture, communities and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices.”

The Division is under the leadership of the Vice President for Agriculture of the University of Arkansas System. Vice Presidents for Research, Extension, and Academic Programs report to the Vice President of Agriculture. The first Vice President for Agriculture was John W. White who served from the Division’s creation in 1959 to 1974. Successive Vice Presidents for Agriculture are as follows: James Martin (1975-1980), John Goodwin (1981-1986), Preston La Ferney (1986-1992), Milo Shult (1992-2010), Mark J. Cochran (2011-Present).