By Andrea K. Mowers, Director of Communications & Member Experience
Protecting the agricultural retailer’s freedom to operate is the top priority of the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA). As the only national trade association that is solely dedicated to the ag retailer, ARA advocates on behalf of the industry to achieve a real dollars-and-cents impact on the ag retailer’s bottom line.
As so much is changing within our industry, from restricting regulations to emerging technology, ARA members are empowered to focus on running their businesses while ARA serves as their eyes and ears in Washington.
However, the representation in Washington is only part of the power of the ARA network. Ag retailers turn to ARA to leverage services that give their business a competitive edge. Whether it is through amplifying our industry’s voice during the upcoming ARA Fly-In on Capitol Hill, improving their bottom line or getting ahead in driver training, ARA members have the support they need to serve as better trusted advisers helping farmer-customers maximize yields.
Below are some of the ways ag retailers can boost their business with ARA in the first half of 2025.
Educating Lawmakers
One of the most impactful advocacy opportunities of the year is the annual ARA Fly-In, held in conjunction with the winter board of directors meeting Feb. 24–26. Lawmakers want to hear from their constituents who offer employment opportunities in their state or district, and ag retailers and suppliers benefit by traveling across the country to educate legislators and their staff. These fly-in meetings are a chance for our industry to shed light on how burdensome regulations are to the ag retailer’s bottom line while offering legislative solutions that uplift the entire ag community.
“Spending a full day on Capitol Hill meeting with multiple Congressional offices from my area in California underscored the intersection of policy and practice and emphasized the importance of these visits between industry and government,” says ARA board member Ernie Roncoroni with Grow West.
The benefits of the ARA Fly-In extend well beyond our time together in Washington. Ag retailers return to work with a deeper understanding of the factors hindering their business, which leads to more informed recommendations to their farmer customers. By engaging in grassroots advocacy to educate elected officials, ARA ag retailers stand out from their competitors as community leaders who go above and beyond to shape policy that protects our industry’s freedom to operate.
Improving Bottom Lines
Customer experience is paramount in the eyes of ARA members seeking to keep up with the current consumer payment trends that have resulted in 82% of Americans using digital payment technology. By leveraging a member-exclusive benefit that is offered in partnership with a merchant service provider, ag retailers are enhancing the payment experience for their farmer customers while saving an average of 20% on credit card payment processing.
Additionally, the white gloves needs assessment included with this member service identifies opportunities to streamline daily financial operations while the savings shaved off their bottom line can go directly back into the company to grow their business.
Training Truck Drivers
Nearly all businesses in our industry continue to face a labor shortage made worse by new requirements for CDL drivers that have increased operating costs for agribusinesses by nearly $8,000 per driver. ARA is tackling the driver shortage head-on with a new Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) support service that helps ag retailers save money and also cut through the regulatory red tape to train more drivers to hit the road ahead of this year’s busy planting and harvest seasons.
ARA’s two-pronged response to the driver shortage combines our ELDT support service, which can save members up to $3,000 per driver, with our advocacy efforts in support of policies, such as the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program, to bring more drivers to the labor pool.
Your Next Steps
Let the ARA team relieve some of the pressure of conducting business in 2025 by joining our member network. If you’re already an ARA member, consider sending someone from your team to the upcoming fly-in event to amplify the voice of our industry or take advantage of a member service to help set up your business for long-term success.
No other trade association empowers its ag retailer members to optimize their business through its member services and programs while taking action in Washington when policies arise that could impact your freedom to operate. Unlock the full potential of your business with ARA at aradc.org.
