By Andrea Mowers, Manager of Communications & Member Engagement
With spring comes a renewed excitement for many—or a busy planting season as an ag retailer working tirelessly as the farmer’s trusted adviser. Although there is no shortage of challenges—weather, regulatory uncertainty, workforce needs—we must also appreciate and learn from the past years’ successes.
This Time Last Year
Think back to where we were a year ago: grocery shelves were becoming sparse and businesses closed doors as the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic set in. By this time in 2020, ARA had worked to secure the essential infrastructure designation for ag retailers, collaborated with federal agencies to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for members, and held frequent conference calls with members to offer real-time support regarding how the historic CARES Act and business support loans applied to agribusinesses.
In addition to the glaring financial struggles looming over our industry due to the regulatory uncertainty caused by the pandemic, ARA was quick to offer tools to guide ag retailers and suppliers through transitioning their businesses to maintain operation through virtual meetings and conference calls.
Where We Are Now
Fast forward 12 months, and ARA has wrapped up its first all-virtual 2021 fly-in event with great success. More than 100 ARA members participated in outreach efforts, making this the best-attended fly-in in the association’s history. Throughout the span of five weeks, ARA staff and members from across the country participated in 124 meetings with their elected officials of the 117th U.S. Congress. Top policy issues discussed included:
- Agricultural workforce needs
- Climate change and sustainable agriculture
- Economic growth and trade
- Food equity
- Transportation and broadband infrastructure
As the Biden administration is expected to reinstate a variety of regulatory rollbacks from the Trump administration, the continued involvement of ARA members is crucial to building and strengthening ARA’s relationships with members of Congress and key regulatory agency heads.
The Plus Side of Virtual
Although it has not been an easy road for those in the agricultural community and beyond, the benefits of a virtual environment should not be ignored. Without the option to travel, companies were able to save money while encouraging more of their teams to participate in leadership development opportunities such as the annual ARA fly-in and winter board and committee meetings held earlier this year.
When companies involve more of their employees in educational workshops and professional development opportunities, employee engagement increases along with the likelihood of retaining top talent for years to come.
During the winter board and committee meetings, the board identified a need to create a new Climate Stewardship/Carbon Credits Working Group to identify and share common-sense priorities with lawmakers and regulators. Any individual employed by an ARA member company, especially those with experience or interest in this topic, should get involved in upcoming working group discussions. Sign up at aradc.org/get-involved.
Make Your Plan
The busy planting season will not last forever. Get a head start on the rest of your year’s professional development journey by including online offerings such as SPARC sustainability e-learning modules and the new ARA Navigator 360° leadership assessment as well as in-person programs including:
- ARA Crisis Preparedness Workshop on Aug. 23-26 in Philadelphia
- ARA Strategic Decision Making on Sept. 21-23 in Lafayette, Indiana
- ARA Fall Board & Committee Meetings on Sept. 27-29 in Philadelphia
- ARA Conference & Expo on Nov. 30-Dec. 2 in San Antonio, Texas
Prove your willingness to invest in and develop your team by engaging employees who may not typically be able to participate. Get yourself and your team involved in ARA policy priorities and professional development to fully leverage the value ARA membership offers.
