By Alex Enlow, ARA Director of Communications & Member Experience
As the only national association representing the agricultural retail industry in Washington, D.C., ARA recently held its annual fly-in, the most critical advocacy event for the entire ag retail industry.
ARA’s fly-in connects members of Congress directly with ag retailers from their districts, giving them the opportunity to hear directly from ARA members about the issues facing them today.
This year’s fly-in was highly successful, with ARA connecting more than 120 ARA members with over 130 congressional offices on both sides of the aisle to promote ARA’s public policy priorities.
“Direct dialogue between Congress and ag retailers is the most effective way to shape policy,” says Richard Gupton, ARA’s senior vice president of public policy. “Through their in-person meetings, over 120 ARA members ensured the ag retail sector was fully and accurately represented at the center of policymaking.”
Immediate Impact
The timing couldn’t have been better for the fly-in this year, as the House Agriculture Committee markup for the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (farm bill) was scheduled for the evening of ARA’s fly-in.
This presented ARA members with the perfect opportunity to advocate for ARA’s priorities in the legislation, such as provisions that strengthen the farm safety net and risk management tools, invest in conservation and research, and promote trade and rural development. Each of these priorities helps ensure that retailers and their supplier partners can continue to make long-term investments that support farmer success.
The following day, the House Agriculture Committee passed the farm bill by a bipartisan vote of 34-17.
“Chairman GT Thompson’s Farm, Food, and National Security Act supports the agricultural industry while maintaining farmer access to modern agricultural technologies, including critical pesticides and other crop protection tools,” says ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock. “ARA looks forward to continuing our work with Congress to advance this legislation, which strengthens the farm economy and ensures a safe, abundant and affordable food supply for American consumers and global markets.”
When ARA members weren’t in meetings on Capitol Hill, they were sharing ideas either in committee meetings or at networking events.
“The ARA Fly-In creates far more than dialogue on Capitol Hill; it establishes the foundation for ongoing, productive relationships between ag retailers and the decision-makers in Congress. Strengthening trust between rural communities and Washington is essential to ARA’s advocacy mission,” says Dave Spears, ARA board chair.
Honoring ARA’s 2025 Legislator of the Year
During the fly-in, ARA members honored the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance chairman, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, with the 2025 Legislator of the Year award for his support of agricultural retailers by working tirelessly to promote our industry and protect their freedom and license to operate.
“Idaho agriculture’s fundamental role in our communities is clear, with agribusiness accounting for the largest share of Idaho’s economy. It is an honor to receive ARA’s Legislator of the Year Award as I continue pressing for sensible solutions that ensure long-term stability of federal policy affecting farm communities. Their success is vital for feeding our nation, building our communities and growing our economy,” says Crapo.
Continuing the Conversation
ARA’s efforts to connect members with their federal lawmakers are year-round through ARA’s coordination of congressional facility visits during congressional recess periods.
For years, ARA members have used these visits to showcase their operations and build lasting trust with lawmakers seeking insight into ag retailer operations in their districts.
“The energy generated during the fly-in will continue as members invite their elected officials into their operations to witness our industry’s dedication to safety and responsible stewardship,” explains Hunter Carpenter, ARA senior director of government affairs.
ARA also makes it easy for ag retailers to contact their congressional representatives through ARA’s Take Action portal. This portal provides prewritten letters advocating for policies that impact industry operations, which can be sent directly to your representatives. Visit the portal at aradc.org/take-action to make your voice heard today.
Meeting With the Administration
To close out the fly-in, ARA’s board of directors met with six Trump administration senior officials at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex.
Attendees had policy discussions with Justin Schwab, general counsel for the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ); Ambassador Julie Callahan, ambassador with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and chief agricultural negotiator of the U.S.; Courtney Knupp, senior adviser to the USDA deputy secretary and the senior policy adviser to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins for trade and food safety; Kelsey Barnes, the senior adviser to the USDA secretary for rural development, biofuels and research, education and economics; Kyle Kunkler, deputy assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention at EPA; and Calley Means, the senior adviser to U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
ARA is thankful to the administration for the opportunity for members to directly engage with White House officials about policies and federal regulations that impact the agricultural industry.
ARA’s annual fly‑in once again showcased the power of bringing ARA members and federal lawmakers together to influence the policies that shape ag retail’s future. By showing up, speaking out and working together, ARA is strengthening members’ ability to operate and innovate.
The momentum ARA generated will carry forward as ARA continues advocating for the tools, technologies and regulatory clarity the ag retail industry needs.
Want to join the only national association representing the ag retail industry? To join, visit aradc.org/join.
