Vic Ford

Vic Ford serves as Associate Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources-Extension at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, a position he assumed in 2020 after 40 years of service. He concurrently heads agriculture and natural resources for the Cooperative Extension Service in Arkansas and has been a Society of American Foresters member since 1983.

He earned a Ph.D. in Forest Soils from Virginia Tech and joined the University of Arkansas in 1983 as Professor and Head of the Southwest Research and Extension Center.

Ford pioneered GIS applications in forestry during the 1980s, developing spatial analysis systems adopted across multiple states for soil mapping and flood damage assessment in row crops. His research demonstrated improved water quality in managed forests, influenced herbicide labeling for hardwood plantations, and includes significant public outreach on edible fungi through media engagements.

His major recognitions include:

• Gifford Pinchot Medal (2023) from the Society of American Foresters
• Lifetime Achievement Award (2022) from the Ouachita Society of American Foresters