Policy Updates
“This is a victory for rural America,” said ARA President & CEO Daren Coppock.
A first-ever focused vote on E15 has eyes on The Hill. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor says, “There’s mounting pressure to get something done and take action.”
In this OpEd, Daren Coppock, president and CEO of the Agricultural Retailers Associations says “preserving uniform federal labeling protects everyone who depends on the food system—and that means all of us.”
“When farmers struggle, independent ag retailers like our business feel it immediately,” Mike Twining shared.
“America’s agricultural retailers and growers continue to face high fuel costs and tight margins,” said ARA President & CEO Daren Coppock. “This commonsense relief will help them stay productive and profitable at a critical time of year.”
ARA took its priorities to Capitol Hill to push for a Farm Bill finish line and fixes that affect retailers’ day-to-day operations—especially transportation rules, trade uncertainty, and biofuels policy.
“ARA’s 2026 policy priorities are built to safeguard the tools, technologies, and regulatory certainty that agricultural retailers and their farmer customers rely on every single day,” said Richard Gupton, ARA’s Senior Vice President of Public Policy.
“Chairman Crapo’s leadership, including his work to extend critical Farm Bill provisions, provided much-needed stability and continuity for farmers and the broader agricultural supply chain,” said ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock.
Ambassador Julie Callahan outlines a transactional approach to global trade, targeting market access and regulatory reform
ARA points to the legislation’s provisions for farm safety net and risk management tools, conservation and research, and trade and rural development.
“ARA commends Chairman G.T. Thompson for his leadership in advancing the 2026 Farm Bill and for his commitment to providing long term certainty for America’s farmers, ranchers, and agricultural supply chain partners,” said ARA President & CEO, Daren Coppock.
With the boxing legend declaring “processed food kills” and federal leaders pledging to redirect billions in nutrition dollars, the rollout delivered a forceful message in favor of fresh produce and whole proteins.
USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden outlined a list of priority topics for the agency in 2026.
“You can’t just look at ‘ag’ or ‘farm policy’ any longer,” says Jim Wiesemeyer. “It’s interrelated.”
Hunter Carpenter from ARA’s public policy team joins The Scoop Podcast to share an update.
The administration is expanding the list, which includes potash and phosphate, amid efforts to boost domestic mining and cut reliance on imports.
ARA Applauds the Department of the Interior on Potash and Phosphate Critical Minerals List Inclusion
“These designations are a major step forward for American agriculture and supply chain resilience,” said ARA President & CEO Daren Coppock.
The senior senator from Iowa says the president ‘has to’ get an agreement made that will enable trade between China and the U.S. to resume.
President Trump is urging China to buy more U.S. soybeans as they face a shortage, but analysts say quadrupling soybean orders is ‘highly unlikely.’
The new rule is part of the Trump administration’s directives to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion policies across the federal government.
The groups are urging the administration to “formally include farmers, ranchers and food producers in a collaborative stakeholder process.” An action report — a follow-up to the MAHA report released in May — is due by August 12.
“We must ensure that we make a way for young and beginning farmers to fill our boots,” said Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation.
NAICC has worked to strengthen and expand our relationships with members of Congress and multiple agencies such as EPA, Fish and Wildlife, Natural Resources Conservation Service, etc.
“The work on Capitol Hill is not finished,” says ARA president and CEO Daren Coppock.
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) released the unedited responses from Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump to its questionnaire on federal agricultural policy.
The details of the tentative agreement reached on Thursday morning have not been shared, and could still be voted down by members who need to ratify the agreement to settle the matter.
Union: New offer has modest modifications to offer voted down Nov. 2; Vote Wed.