Agricultural Retailers Association

Thank you Chairman Thompson for the update on the Farm Bill and for your thoughts on how to get more scientists at the EPA to reduce the innovation backlog. Growers need new tools in the toolbox more than ever. Collaboration is the new currency. Thank you to my colleagues. We are stronger together. Alexandra Dapolito Dunn, Corey Rosenbusch, Richard Gupton CropLife America, The Fertilizer Institute,Agricultural Retailers Association Council of Producers & Distributors of Agrotechnology (CPDA)

The 2025 Applicator Manual, with 115+ specimen labels of the most popular custom applied products, is available from our partner Asmark Institute. This manual has become the industry standard in helping comply with EPA's requirement to have current label information available for applicators while handling or applying pesticides. Place a copy in every piece of application equipment and nurse or tendering units. View this manual and other safety resources for ag retailers: https://ow.ly/1Kfg50VgMeN.

Blake Griffin with GreenPoint Ag in Stuttgart, Arkansas, explains why his team leverages ARA's Entry-Level Driver Training support service: "Obtaining CDL drivers in ag retail is becoming more challenging each year. Using the services available from our ARA membership offers a quick and affordable resource for training new drivers for our location. It allows existing employees to obtain a license without the challenges pertaining to work absence or the high schooling cost. We are able to keep the training internal and on our own schedule." Learn more: https://ow.ly/71Sf50Vg4gR

ARA membership has confirmed the 2025 public policy priorities that will steer the association's advocacy efforts with federal legislators and regulators on behalf of #agretailers. “ARA provides a powerful and clear voice on issues important to ag retail as determined by the association’s members," said ARA Public Policy Committee Chair and Board Member Michael Twining with Willard Agri-Service. "Together, our influence on policy that is important to the ag retail industry is much greater than when we act individually. Taking time to meet with our elected officials as part of the ARA Fly-In is time incredibly well spent.” The?priorities?proposed and confirmed during the?ARA Winter Board Meeting & Legislative Fly-In,?held Feb. 24-26 in Washington, D.C., relate to: - Farm Bill; - protecting modern agriculture technologies; - climate stewardship and sustainability practices; - pro-growth economic policies for rural America; - energy; - transportation and supply chain relief; - ag labor and OSHA; and - homeland security. “Meeting with federal lawmakers and agency officials is a critical part to engaging with ARA," said ARA Senior Vice President, Public Policy & Counsel Richard Gupton. "This engagement ensures the ag retail industry is represented when key policy decisions are made by Congress and results in a significant return on investment for such an essential segment of America's agricultural supply chain."

Incredible experience this week in Capitol Hill, representing FMC Corporation on behalf of the Agricultural Retailers Association - Great discussions were had with members of the new administration, advocating for key policies that will shape the future of agriculture!

Kahler Automation's VP?of Sales Austin Benes and Industry Relations Manager Amanda Philipp were honored to advocate for agriculture on Capitol Hill this week, representing the Agricultural Retailers Association. They worked alongside fellow industry partners and retailers, meeting with legislators in Washington, D.C., to discuss key issues affecting ag retailers and the industry at large.

On Tuesday, I had the privilege of visiting Members on the hill in DC to advocate for our agricultural industry. Being part of the “A” team of Iowans was truly enriching as we engaged in discussions about topics vital to our industry, our customers' success, and the economic well-being of the rural communities in which we operate. A big thanks to the Agricultural Retailers Association for scheduling our hill visits and to all the members who participated not only in these visits but also in our winter meeting on Monday and Wednesday to conduct the business of our association.

ARA President & CEO Daren Coppock released a statement expressing gratitude to the Trump administration for hearing the concerns of ag & granting today’s tariff reduction on imported potash: "Given that the United States sources over 85 percent of its #potash from Canada, this reduction is crucial to prevent supply disruptions and cost increases that could adversely affect farmers nationwide. "Canadian potash, a vital nutrient for U.S. crop production, plays an indispensable role in ensuring robust crop yields and maintaining the competitiveness of American agriculture. While this reduction will ease access to potash, if other imported fertilizer products remain subject to tariffs, those costs will be passed on to growers. "Tariffs on imports will impact the cost and availability of other crop inputs used by farmers, and retaliation to tariffs will cost U.S. producers in terms of access to offshore markets. However, today’s decision is helpful and much appreciated. "We commend the administration’s responsiveness to concerns raised by ARA, other agricultural industry stakeholders, and members of Congress. This is a step in the right direction, and ARA remains committed to collaborating to promote policies that support the agricultural supply chain, safeguard food security, and enhance the prosperity of farming communities across the nation."

ARA President & CEO Daren Coppock talked to Carah Hart with Brownfield Ag News about how the already long pesticide registration process may be made even longer if President Trump follows through with his threat of a staff reduction at the EPA. “When you hand a personnel situation like this by firing everyone and then, bring some people back after you just fired them, it doesn’t build morale, and you run the risk of having a situation where good people who are really good at their jobs decide I don’t need to be here.” https://lnkd.in/edgTizRS #agretailers