Latest News From ARA

The disruption caused by the dicamba vacatur is unlikely to be the only hurdle ag retailers face this year. ARA has identified this year’s public policy priorities that will steer its grassroots advocacy efforts.

Reps. Jim Baird (R-Ind.) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.). have been recognized for their support of important agriculture issues.

After the EPA update on the Existing Stocks Order for dicamba product registrations, Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) president and CEO Daren Coppock applauded their fast response to the issue.

According to the EPA, the Eighth Circuit’s mandate issued on December 28, 2023, finalized the court’s judgment and vacated the EPA's 2021 rule revoking chlorpyrifos tolerances. 

ARA shares opportunities for ag retailers to save on credit card processing, foster their knowledge network and improve employee retention with professional development programs and resources.

ARA members will benefit from the National Propane Gas Association's Administrative Compliance Experts handling FMCSA paperwork and filings, FMCSA audits, and training materials and training equipment guidance.

ARA reflects on their top awards from the 2023 annual Conference and Expo and shares what's coming up next for the organization.

The ARA Management Academy is January 23 - 25, 2024, at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona.

The ARA staff awarded Twining because of his service as vice chair of the ARA public policy committee, his testimony before the House Agriculture Committee on the onerous WOTUS regulations, and more.

"Let us build upon the successes of the past, embrace the challenges of the present, and shape a future that ensures the prosperity and sustainability of agricultural retailers and their partners,” said Asmus.

“Each year we look forward to recognizing a new class of Rising Stars for their impactful work in the ag retail industry,” says ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock.

ARA honored Mid Kansas Cooperative (MKC) with its Retailer of the Year award in front of more than 600 attendees during the 2023 ARA Conference & Expo.

Joe Hodges received ARA’s highest individual honor during ARA’s Conference & Expo general session attended by more than 620 agricultural professionals.

ARA recognized Toby M. Hlavinka, president and CEO of American Plant Food (APF), with the ARA Distinguished Service Award during the ARA Conference & Expo in front of more than 600 ag retail industry professionals.

ARA and Keybank share their top tips to help ag retailers take advantage of emerging digital payment trends.

The 2024 ARA Management Academy will be held in Tempe, Arizona from Jan. 23-25.

What if lawmakers and federal regulators didn't consider the voice of the ag retailer when making policy decisions that impact your bottom line?

Agricultural Retailers Association President & CEO Daren Coppock released a statement following the EPA's final WOTUS rule.

Summer is a great time to invite elected officials to tour an ag retail facility because Congress is in recess through the end of August.

Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) President & CEO Daren Coppock released the following statement applauding the introduction of Senator Tammy Baldwin's Reliable Rail Service Act.

The ARA Rising Stars program, sponsored by Atticus, provides a vehicle for member organizations to recognize and develop their top performers with unique professional development and networking opportunities.

“ARA strongly supports Senator Peters’ legislation to reauthorize the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards program for an additional 5 years," says Daren Coppock

ARA joined a coalition effort to file a petition challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) waiver that allows California to establish a rule mandating electric or zero emission heavy duty trucks.

Representatives from global ag retailer peers in Brazil, Argentina and Canada will attend this year’s ARA Conference & Expo.

"The Court’s ruling today should provide the legal certainly necessary for ag retailers and their farmer customers," says Daren Coppock.

"The success of the ag retail industry is dependent on a strong and efficient supply chain, which is why the issue of transportation and supply chain solutions has been a top priority for ARA."

Each year, ARA recognizes top legislators who have championed the issues of importance to agriculture and agriculture suppliers.

“Representative Johnson’s unwavering support for the ag retail industry on issues related to addressing the nation’s supply chain challenges is why ARA chose to honor him,” says ARA President & CEO Daren Coppock.

While ag retailers are busy serving their farmer-customers in the field, the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) is building on the momentum from February’s legislative fly-in.

The ARA public policy committee convened the day before the Capitol Hill visits to confirm these top priorities for 2023

ARA was part of an amicus brief in this case and wrote a letter to the Supreme Court of Texas in August 2021 requesting it take on the case.

To watch the hearing live and view additional materials for this hearing, click here.

So much in agriculture is changing—from regulations to developing technology to new crop input practices.

Users of OTT dicamba are required to receive training in order to use these products and these training sessions will be starting soon.

The second webinar in the Adjuvant Advantage for the Sales Agronomist series will be hosted on Jan. 19 at 1 p.m. EST.

In addition to recognizing the 30-year milestone, the audience also celebrated the industry contributions made by the 2022 ARA award winners.

“Tim’s quest to support our industry did not end when he retired from his role as chief operating officer at Brandt Consolidated,” says ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock.

“Gary has served on the ARA Board of Directors for several years and acts as an insightful resource when the ARA policy team reaches out for input to inform our advocacy efforts on a variety of issues."

On Dec. 1, the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) concluded its annual Conference & Expo with a keynote speaker, a panel of ag retail executives and an off-site tour of the USS Midway.

The Rising Stars program, sponsored by Atticus, is a meaningful way for ARA member companies to nominate emerging leaders to be recognized for their work and to explore new ways to hone their leadership skills.

The agricultural groups noted that a rail strike or lockout combined with existing challenges in the U.S. transportation system would have harmful consequences for the agricultural and broader U.S. economies.

On Wednesday, the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) concluded its first full day of the 2022 ARA Conference & Expo with more than 600 ag retail industry professionals in attendance.

Known for the team's incredible caliber of customer service and integrity, Marion Ag Service empowers its grower customers to thrive.

“On behalf of the ARA Board of Directors, I welcome this year’s attendees as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the association,” says ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock.

For 30 years, ARA and its membership have worked together to advance positive outcomes that benefit the business of ag retailers and their farmer-customers.

The academy is led by Purdue University’s Center for Food and Agricultural Business in partnership with the Agricultural Retailers Association and the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.

Reforms to the Farm-Related Restricted Commercial Driver's License (CDL) program, more commonly known as the Seasonal Ag CDL program, go into effect immediately.

Agricultural retailers are the trusted advisers to American farmers as well as leaders in the local communities in which they operate.

Agricultural retailers and other ARA members were already feeling the impact of a potential strike as railroad carriers started to cancel shipments of critical fertilizer products.

ARA has been working hard to advance several policies that benefit ag retailers and their farmer customers.