Latest News From Retail Training

ARA Celebrates 2023 Rising Stars
ARA Celebrates 2023 Rising Stars

“Each year we look forward to recognizing a new class of Rising Stars for their impactful work in the ag retail industry,” says ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock.

ARA Academy Empowers Ag Retailers to Navigate Evolving Markets
ARA Academy Empowers Ag Retailers to Navigate Evolving Markets

The 2024 ARA Management Academy will be held in Tempe, Arizona from Jan. 23-25.

14 Fall Ammonia Season Safety Reminders
14 Fall Ammonia Season Safety Reminders

Check the condition of the trailer as well as the tank prior to pulling out onto the roadway.

Co-Op Launches Recruitment Tool To Tap Talent In A New Way
Co-Op Launches Recruitment Tool To Tap Talent In A New Way

Lindsey Sankey, a marketing specialist at Co-Alliance, explains the new program, SEED, has the goal of resulting in long-term employment that is rewarding and fulfilling.

 How a Dramatic Grain Bin Rescue in Rural Minnesota Sparked An Idea For R3, a First of Its Kind Rescue Tool
How a Dramatic Grain Bin Rescue in Rural Minnesota Sparked An Idea For R3, a First of Its Kind Rescue Tool

On October 8th, 2019, local farmer Jerry Schwarzrock was entrapped in his grain bin. His sons found him, and immediately called 911. That one call then sparked a new calling for the local fire department.

Asmark Institute Announces Leadership Transition
Asmark Institute Announces Leadership Transition

Brian Mason, who has been an integral part of the Asmark Institute since 2008 and assumed the position of vice president & COO in 2019, will take on the role of president & CEO.

Small Effort, Big Significance: Tips to Boost Retention and Recruitment
Small Effort, Big Significance: Tips to Boost Retention and Recruitment

Positive feedback is 1200x more effective than ignoring problems.

Single Best Tool To Predict Peak Performance
Single Best Tool To Predict Peak Performance

What if there was one tool to focus on using to achieve the best recruitment and retention?

How Company Culture Drives Peak Performance
How Company Culture Drives Peak Performance

What can organizations do to elevate their entire team’s performance? Dave Mitchell, Founder of The Leadership Difference, says the answer lies in your company’s culture.

Growers Who Rely Upon Cover Crops Say Diversity is Key to Maximum Soil Health Benefit
Growers Who Rely Upon Cover Crops Say Diversity is Key to Maximum Soil Health Benefit

Eighty percent of U.S. growers participating in the 2022-23 National Cover Crop Survey report trying cover crops. Two Indiana farmers share what they've learned along the way and some recommendations.

Viking Hats & Baseball Bats: The Turnaround Mindset
Viking Hats & Baseball Bats: The Turnaround Mindset

How could you symbolically and enthusiastically celebrate your team’s successes?

40 Under 40 Nominations Are Now Open
40 Under 40 Nominations Are Now Open

Young leaders in ag retail can be recognized for their role in being the farmers’ trusted adviser in The Scoop 40 Under 40.

2023 Farm Journal Corn and Soybean College: Learn How to Integrate New Practices Without Giving Up Productivity and ROI
2023 Farm Journal Corn and Soybean College: Learn How to Integrate New Practices Without Giving Up Productivity and ROI

In-field and classroom sessions will address making changes to your crop rotation, tillage systems or nutrient placement; managing early-planted soybeans; evaluating below-ground issues that impact corn yields; and more.

ARA's Rising Stars Award Program: Nominations Open
ARA's Rising Stars Award Program: Nominations Open

The ARA Rising Stars program, sponsored by Atticus, provides a vehicle for member organizations to recognize and develop their top performers with unique professional development and networking opportunities.

4 Sprayer Tricks to Keep Your Rig Rolling
4 Sprayer Tricks to Keep Your Rig Rolling

From lubricating booms to cleaning and replacing spray tips, ace mechanic Dan Anderson emphasizes the importance of prioritizing upkeep during the spraying season.

Digital Enablement: Which Kind of Digital Adopter Are You?
Digital Enablement: Which Kind of Digital Adopter Are You?

Sideliners. Cautious Pragmatists. Finish-Liners. Journeyers. The four segments of digital adopters. Which one are you, and how do you move forward on your digital journey?

Seize Your Corn Yield Potential With Sulfur's Amazing Superpowers
Seize Your Corn Yield Potential With Sulfur's Amazing Superpowers

If you’re aiming for a 200-bu. corn crop this season, be aware it will need at least 34 pounds of sulfur per acre.

Chemical Safety: Every Breath You Take, Every Step You Take …
Chemical Safety: Every Breath You Take, Every Step You Take …

Residual chemicals from sprayers can not only contaminate operators but also their families — even when gloves, goggles and aprons are worn.

Bi-Partisan Bill Aims to Provide More Technical Service Providers via NRCS
Bi-Partisan Bill Aims to Provide More Technical Service Providers via NRCS

The bipartisan bill sponsors say this will address a shortage of TSPs who work with farmers to adopt conservation practices via USDA-NRCS programs, and this legislation will build on the framework of the 2023 Farm Bill.

Groups Work to Streamline Technical Service Provider Credentials with Other Accreditation
Groups Work to Streamline Technical Service Provider Credentials with Other Accreditation

Those who are CCAs (for example) could apply their accreditation toward their TSP status. There’s word from Capitol Hill of two bills being introduced in the senate to provide for such reciprocity.

6 Steps To Keep Ag Aviation Operators and Drones Safe
6 Steps To Keep Ag Aviation Operators and Drones Safe

In a 2022 survey, the NAAA found 22% of manned aerial operators reported they or a pilot flying for them encountered a drone during a flight. 

DropFlight: App Makes Spray Pattern Testing a Snap
DropFlight: App Makes Spray Pattern Testing a Snap

DropFlight is being offered exclusively to NAAA members for a one-time cost of $799 for unlimited use of the app.

ASFMRA: Advancing Hybrid Education for Rural Pros
ASFMRA: Advancing Hybrid Education for Rural Pros

Don't miss this opportunity to take the next step in your career. Visit the ASFMRA's Education Calendar to view a complete list of upcoming hybrid courses and experience the benefits.

6 Spring Ammonia Season Reminders
6 Spring Ammonia Season Reminders

The next couple of weeks will be busy with ammonia application in Illinois. Here are a few reminders to keep in mind when working with ammonia

The Scoop Podcast: Overcome Barriers, Instill Confidence, and Improve Performance
The Scoop Podcast: Overcome Barriers, Instill Confidence, and Improve Performance

Tim McArdle is working as the ResponsibleAg Industry Ambassador. He highlights how ResponsbileAg is an industry program for the industry that “lights the way for you to be in compliance.”

Applicators to Reap Benefits from $15 Million Investment by EPA
Applicators to Reap Benefits from $15 Million Investment by EPA

EPA is looking to evolve the existing chemical licensing program to offer more education and training in restricted use pesticides.

The Zoomers Have Arrived
The Zoomers Have Arrived

As baby boomers retire, Gen Zers, who were born from 1996 to 2012, are replacing boomers in the labor force. 

Technical Training: AGCO Supports Associate Degree Program at Parkland College
Technical Training: AGCO Supports Associate Degree Program at Parkland College

The $5 million donation from AGCO will construct a new 25,000 sq.-ft. state-of-the-art training center, which will house a new AGCO Agriculture Service Technician Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree program.

Boron helps ensure healthy crops. The micronutrient plays a role in many growth processes, including cell division, nitrogen metabolism and water absorption.
AgroLiquid Launches One Week of Virtual Agronomy Education

Crop Nutrition Week will connect growers and agronomy experts for five days of online learning Feb. 6-10.

Dicamba Training & Label Links
Dicamba Training & Label Links

Users of OTT dicamba are required to receive training in order to use these products and these training sessions will be starting soon.

Farmers and applicators should check state rules before applying the product
Free Webinar on Adjuvants: Using Oils to Protect Your Chemical Investment

The second webinar in the Adjuvant Advantage for the Sales Agronomist series will be hosted on Jan. 19 at 1 p.m. EST.

High-Quality, Convenient Education for Rural Appraisers
High-Quality, Convenient Education for Rural Appraisers

With the ASFMRA, it’s easy to take the next step in your appraisal career – visit the 2023 Education Calendar today and find the right course for you.

The Best Swag To Give Farmers
The Best Swag To Give Farmers

Bridgette Readel and two additional co-founders have started Ag Mafia to bring training and coaching to ag retail sales professionals. Their slogan is to be “more than a price list and a pickup.”

Academy Helps Ag Retail Managers Tackle Shifts In Marketplace
Academy Helps Ag Retail Managers Tackle Shifts In Marketplace

The academy is led by Purdue University’s Center for Food and Agricultural Business in partnership with the Agricultural Retailers Association and the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.

Make Ag Retail Sales Fun Again
Make Ag Retail Sales Fun Again

“I know I have to perform every year and deepen the customer relationship,” Jason Hanson says. “You can’t take a loyal customer for granted.”

Agroterrorism: Webinar Explores Multiple Threats to U.S. Food and Ag Supply Chain
Agroterrorism: Webinar Explores Multiple Threats to U.S. Food and Ag Supply Chain

The free online event is titled “Agroterrorism Remains a Significant Threat to U.S. Farms and Food Supply” and is set for Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, at 3 p.m. CDT.

Prevent Grain Bin Accidents by Keeping Grain in Good Condition
Prevent Grain Bin Accidents by Keeping Grain in Good Condition

As a new crop goes in the bin, be mindful of storage best practices and keep safety top of mind.

ARA's ENGAGE for Ag Leaders is Back
ARA's ENGAGE for Ag Leaders is Back

Registration is open and deeply discounted for ARA members!

Attend the 2022 Farm Journal Corn and Soybean College
Attend the 2022 Farm Journal Corn and Soybean College

Come join Ken Ferrie at this year's Farm Journal Corn and Soybean College, hosted by Crop-Tech Consulting, July 26-27 in Heyworth, Ill. 

Sustainable Agronomy Conference Announces Virtual Series
Sustainable Agronomy Conference Announces Virtual Series

Starting July 19, once a week for four weeks an online session will go live.

Heat Warnings Sweep Across U.S.: What You Should Know
Heat Warnings Sweep Across U.S.: What You Should Know

This week, dangerous heat is sweeping across Texas to Wisconsin to Ohio to Georgia.

New Employee Training Sets Strong Roots for Success
New Employee Training Sets Strong Roots for Success

A trifecta of trends drive how livestock producers seek feed products: products that work, products they can trust, and it's convenient for them to order.

<p>June Retailer Native Image - Scouting Tips</p>
Purdue Offers Intern Training for Scouting

It’s a key task learned by every agronomic intern in ag retail. To help train this year’s crop of interns, Purdue is hosting a Field Scout Intern Training event on May 19.

Farmers and applicators should check state rules before applying the product
13 Reminders To Reduce Spray Drift

“Drift can never be eliminated; however, it can be minimized if pesticides are applied under favorable weather conditions and by adopting proven drift reduction strategies,” says IFCA.

ASFMRA Announces New & Updated Seminars
ASFMRA Announces New & Updated Seminars

The seminars will make their debut during Education Week, an annual event featuring education for farm managers, rural appraisers and agricultural consultants.

Transform Nutrient Regulations from Headaches to Opportunities
Transform Nutrient Regulations from Headaches to Opportunities

Concern about water quality has spurred nutrient reduction incentive programs and, in some cases, regulations. If you haven’t been affected by one, you probably soon will be.

Fear Not the Spider Invasion
Fear Not the Spider Invasion

Experts say you don’t need to worry about the bright yellow, blue, black and red Joro spider — it's one of the few creatures that preys on a bug that attacks Southern crops.

NAICC: The Common Sense Misconception, There’s Always Another Perspective
NAICC: The Common Sense Misconception, There’s Always Another Perspective

Our industry is very diverse and constantly evolving. As such, everyone’s life experiences will be different within the workplace.

Plugging The Ag Brain Drain
Plugging The Ag Brain Drain

Here’s how consultants can help grow the industry’s brain trust

The Scoop Podcast: Challenge the Status Quo on Wheat Acres
The Scoop Podcast: Challenge the Status Quo on Wheat Acres

Matt Wehmeyer with AgriMaxx Wheat is encouraging farmers and their retailers to push for 100 bushel dryland wheat.