Business landscapes are changing every day, and the agriculture industry is no exception. In a time of acquisitions, mergers, challenging weather, economic struggles and other shifts, the American farmer and rancher continues to seek stability for his or her business. Agricultural retailers play a key role in being that stable partner and trusted adviser for their customers and the communities in which they live and serve.
As the retailer’s role evolves with the business climate, resources often get stretched thin. This is where the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) can help. Known as “The Voice of Ag Retail,” ARA offers programs and services designed to keep agricultural retailers on top of critical issues that impact profitability. The landscape for crop input practices, technology developments and government regulations is constantly changing. Staying informed means staying ahead, and no other organization works on behalf of ag retailers like ARA.
Regulatory and Policy Expertise
As is expected of an organization with its headquarters in Washington, D.C., ARA constantly monitors agencies, regulations and legislation that could impact agribusiness. Although legislation and regulatory changes do not move as fast as many often hope, the team is consistently making connections and ensuring that the voice of the agricultural retailer is heard at every step in the process. Guided by the policy positions adopted by the membership annually, the ARA team of registered lobbyists represents its membership in meetings and on more than 50 coalitions across the country and in Washington.
ARA keeps its eyes and ears on regulations and legislation, so its membership can focus on running their businesses and serving their customers.
We have been highlighting the DC Help Desk on the AgPro podcast, where you can hear real examples of how ARA’s D.C. team is working for the ag retailer.
The DC Help Desk is designed for its members to receive direct, customized assistance with issues that directly impact their businesses. The team can often answer questions within a few business days. The DC Help Desk is also a resource for members to consult when they need assistance with setting up meetings with members of Congress, regulatory officials and other leaders in the industry.
Professional Development Resources
As ag retailers work closely with customers and the community, it is in all parties’ best interests to recruit and retain employees. Providing employees with training and access to the most current industry information is another way the association assists its retailer-members.
ARA has developed a series of professional development events and resources to equip the ag retail workforce with learning and networking opportunities throughout the year. ARA has an opportunity for employees in all job functions.
Through a partnership with Purdue University, the association offers the ARA Management Academy and a Strategic Decision Making seminar. The academy is a three-day program, where participants will sharpen their management, leadership and decision-making capabilities by engaging in faculty-led presentations, interactive exercises and small-group discussion. Program curriculum includes a broad-based selection of managerial courses chosen specifically to meet the needs of managers in the agricultural retail industry. The Strategic Decision Making seminar offers attendees the knowledge and tools to make sound strategic choices that impact the direction of their companies.
Given the nature of the agricultural retail business and its products, we must all be prepared to act in times of crisis. Through a partnership with FMC, ARA provides a workshop on crisis management and communication. This hands-on program helps attendees create and refine personalized emergency action plans and communications plans in order to foster a safety-conscious culture.
New this year, ARA will offer Engage for Ag Leaders sponsored by Corteva. This program is about empowering industry leaders to have a consumer mindset and think of agriculture as a partner with society. This isn’t only about introducing them to consumer opinions and vulnerabilities. It equips them to fully engage and communicate through the channels with which they find comfort. We understand the science that drives innovation, and they understand the regulations that must be followed to get products and technologies to market. The opportunity is to help leaders in agriculture understand how to package their knowledge in a way that connects with the consuming population and other important food system stakeholders outside of the industry. The Engage program teaches this in a simple three-step process.
Networking and Connections
Making meaningful connections throughout the supply chain is critical to business success. The aforementioned opportunities provide attendees with unique chances to connect to their counterparts at other companies and create a network of professionals who can collaborate and support each other. In addition to the specific professional development events, the ARA Conference and Expo is the premier event of the year for leaders across agricultural retail to come together under one roof.
ARA is known for nurturing thought-provoking conversations through unique speakers and breakout sessions at its conference, and the 2019 event will be no different. The expo hall is a unique experience for everyone in attendance, as it is the only place to meet with all of the companies serving ag retail businesses in one location—from equipment manufacturers to fertilizer producers to those providing cutting-edge technology. The ARA Conference and Expo is not just for the top executives in your company.
Facing Challenges Now and in the Future
As ag retailers continue to work through the many challenges of doing business in an ever-changing industry, they must also look to the future. By allowing ARA to tackle the policy issues impacting operations, ARA members have more time to spend solving the challenges they face daily at work and preparing for the challenges they have not yet seen in the ag retail business.
