By Mary Hightower 
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture   

Fast Facts 

  • Powell a Hendrix, Northwestern alumnus
  • Powell joins NALC after two years on agriculture beat 
A headshot of a young adult man with light skin, dark brown messy hair, and brown eyes. He has short stubble and is smiling warmly, showing his teeth. He is wearing a dark navy blue long-sleeved button-down shirt with small, light-colored buttons. The background is a plain, solid light grey.

Phillip Powell joins the staff of the National Agricultural Law Center in a communications role. (UADA photo)

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A love for making complex issues understandable drew Phillip Powell first to journalism and has now called him to a new job as communications coordinator for the National Agricultural Law Center.

Powell came to NALC from the Arkansas Times, an outlet he joined in June 2024 as a Report for America Corps member. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and government from Hendrix College in 2023. Powell was a staff writer for The Profile and editor in chief of the Aonian Literary Magazine at Hendrix. 

Powell earned a master’s in journalism with a focus on investigative reporting from Northwestern University in 2024. 

“I wanted to be a journalist because I loved meeting new people, writing and breaking down complex topics for myself and others,” Powell said. “I was ready to step into a role where I could exercise a broader communications skillset while continuing to work on agricultural and environmental policy topics.” 

The National Agricultural Law Center, established 39 years ago, provides agricultural, environmental and food law research and information to attorneys, policymakers, industry members and the general public. Though this particular area of law may seem somewhat niche, it isn’t really, Powell said.  

“We all have to eat! Agriculture and farmers serve as the backbone of our entire society, producing almost all of the raw food and fiber commodities that we need,” he said. “I find the experiences of farmers and the different laws, policies and economic factors that shape their experiences to be the most interesting part of agriculture.” 

NALC Director Harrison Pittman said, “Effective communication is fundamental to our mission of providing objective, timely agricultural law research and information. We’re excited to welcome Phillip and look forward to expanding the reach and impact of our work through his talents and experience.” 

To read the full news release, click here.

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