Blake Gates, national accounts manager at Morral Companies, shares how the company serves the industry as a fertilizer manufacturer and retailer. With a focus on formulating liquid fertilizers, micronutrients, starter fertilizers and foliar fertilizers, the company has two locations in Morral and Caledonia, Ohio. The company also operates two retail locations.
This year marks the 60th anniversary for the family-founded company, which remains privately held today. They ship products nationwide and also operate a multi-state lawn and garden fertilizer business.
Morral Companies has been a long supporter of the ARA. Gates explains he’s been on the board since 2019, when he took over the seat occupied by John Oster after his role as chairman.
“The advocacy that the ARA does in Washington is very important for us to have our voice heard and have our collective voices heard with our partner companies,” Gates says. “Being a member of ARA takes one thing off your plate, because you know that association has your back in Washington, and wants you to have the freedom to operate, and will push that agenda to our legislators.”
Today, Gates serves as the member services committee chair, which helps provide:
- DC helpdesk
- the advocacy that we do
- our member resource library
- professional development programs
Another benefit Gates receives from his involvement with ARA is networking.
“On the board, at meetings and at the conference, I’ve met a lot of great people through ARA a lot of great new friends, acquaintances, and business partners,” he says.
