Jarrod W. Yates serves as executive vice president of the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation where he leads staff in the implementation of the goals and objectives set by the ArFB Board of Directors and the organization’s members. He has been in that role since 2023. Yates first joined ArFB as director of public affairs and government relations in 2021, where he led national affairs efforts, lobbied the state’s Congressional delegation and assisted in executing the political and legislative strategies defined by ArFB members. 

An Arkansas native, Yates was born in Fayetteville, though raised in Prescott (Nevada County), which he considers his hometown. Yates and his family have farmed most of his life. He currently has a cattle operation together with his family in Nevada County and was previously involved in the poultry business. 

Yates spent seven years helping lead governmental relations at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the state’s largest health insurance provider, and is a former chief of staff for Congressman Mike Ross. Yates spent four years as Ross’ chief of staff, simultaneously managing five offices and staff in Washington, D.C. and in the Fourth Congressional District. 

Yates has a daughter who is a nursing student at the University of Arkansas and son who is a Freshman at University of Arkansas as well.