Beyond Capitol Hill: How ARA Can Help You

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

The advocacy work of the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) is often reason enough for companies to join the membership network of ag retailers, distributors and affiliate organizations. Our industry leaders are well-aware of the regulatory and legislative hurdles in their way and understand that more are often on the horizon.

For ARA members, the top issues this year are people, supply chain and water. Their concerns will be reflected in the new public policy priorities to be announced in early 2023. Specific developments the ARA policy team is monitoring include:

EPA’s Waters of the United States rule
EPA’s Risk Management Program
OSHA’s Process Safety Management standard

ARA advocates on behalf of the industry to achieve a real dollars-and-cents impact on the ag retailer’s bottom line. However, the representation in Washington, D.C., is only part of the value you receive when you join the ARA network.

Increase Your Bottom Line

ARA members have saved an average of 20% on credit card processing by taking advantage of the Merchant Services Program with KeyBank. This service is available to all ARA members and empowers ag retailers to lower the cost of card acceptance while better understanding their daily financial operations. Ag retailer operations benefit by identifying opportunities to streamline processes and grow their businesses more efficiently.

As trusted advisers to America’s farmers, ag retailers know the value of excellent customer service. That’s why ARA is working with KeyBank to improve your payment experience.

Elevate Your Leadership to Thrive

An organization’s ability to thrive in challenges is largely determined by the effectiveness of its leadership. Built specifically for the agriculture industry, ARA Navigator 360° is an online leadership assessment focused on developing individual leaders to meet current and future needs of their companies.

“We used the ARA Navigator 360° for several of our key leaders and the individual coaching sessions. It really helped our leaders craft an individual leadership development plan,” says Clay Houchin with Buttonwillow Warehouse Company.

The assessment shows leaders their strengths and weaknesses in an interactive digital report so they can continue developing their skills. ARA Navigator 360°, developed by NuVue, is available to anyone in the ag industry; however, ARA members get the best rate.

Fostering Your Knowledge Network

Ag retailers are spread out across the country but benefit from gathering in the same room to share candidly how they are managing the industry’s top challenges. Throughout the year, ARA hosts several events to offer opportunities for ag professionals to grow and foster their networks. ARA events also professionally develop your team through engaging educational workshops, communications training and more.

Your Adjuvant Advantage

Developing a uniform adjuvant educational program is the focus of the Adjuvant Advantage for the Sales Agronomist webinar series, hosted by ARA and the Council of Producers and Distributors of Agrotechnology (CPDA).

“Our goal is to help the ag retail industry better help growers understand how the selection and use of the proper adjuvant will improve their overall crop protection program,” according to Terry Kippley, CPDA president.

Amid tight supply chains for crop protection products, adjuvants offer more confidence that the investment made in a tank mix will deliver its optimal potential in the field.

“By using an adjuvant, you can help dial in the use rate of the pesticide to get more out of the product,” Kippley shared with the industry on The Scoop Podcast in September 2022. “At the end of day, you want to get a high degree of performance. And with supply chain issues, you may have a situation when you need to respray and that respray material was not available.”
Check the ARA website for registration to open for the rest of the Adjuvant Advantage for the Sales Agronomist webinar series. You can also view past recordings related to the adjuvant categories of oils, surfactants, stickers and more. Look for these two upcoming webinars:

March 16: Water Conditioners
April 13: Drift & Deposition

Join Our Collective Voice

So much in agriculture is changing—from regulations to developing technology to new crop input practices. As a member, you focus on optimizing your business while ARA serves as your eyes and ears in Washington, D.C.

ARA’s efforts on behalf of retailers save you real money by keeping costs of doing business under control as well as partnering with organizations to get you the best price on educational programming. Joining ARA puts tools in your hands and people on your team to support solid and successful ag retail businesses. Go to www.aradc.org