Joel Ferry (born 1974) is an American politician and rancher from Utah. A member of the Republican Party, he served in the Utah House of Representatives representing the 5th district from 2015 until 2022. In April 2023, Governor Spencer Cox appointed Ferry as the Commissioner of the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.
Early life and education
Ferry was raised on a family cattle ranch in the northern Wasatch Front region of Utah. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural economics from Utah State University.
Political career
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Utah House of Representatives (2015–2022)
Ferry was first elected to the Utah House in the 2014 general election and was subsequently re‑elected in 2016, 2018, and 2020. During his tenure, he served on committees related to natural resources, agriculture, and public utilities. He sponsored legislation concerning water rights, agricultural regulation, and rural economic development. -
Commissioner of Agriculture and Food (2023–present)
Following the resignation of former commissioner Robert R. Lindsey, Governor Spencer Cox selected Ferry to lead the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. As commissioner, Ferry oversees state programs affecting farming, livestock, food safety, and rural community services.
Personal life
Ferry continues to operate the family ranch, which raises cattle and produces hay. He is married and has children. His father, Robert Ferry, previously served as Utah’s Agriculture Commissioner, making Joel Ferry part of a multigenerational family involved in state agricultural leadership.
