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ARA Board & Committees

ARA relies on its membership to ensure that the ag retailer is at the center of the association's policy priorities and educational programs.

Registration is Open

The 2024 ARA Winter Board Meeting & Legislative Fly-In will take place March 4-6 with ARA Board & Committee meetings in Arlington, Virginia, and Hill visits to congressional offices in Washington, D.C. Registration is open and free to all ARA members.

REGISTER

Get Involved with ARA Committees

To get involved with ARA public policy, conference planning, and the services provided to our industry, Join an ARA Committee or Working Group!

GET INVOLVED

Why Join an ARA Committee?

All ARA member representatives are encouraged to bring their varied industry expertise to the table to steer ARA public policy priorities, member services, content for the annual conference, and more in the direction that benefits the ag retail industry most.

By joining one or more ARA Committees or Working Groups, you will expand your professional network and build new professional experiences.

If you're an ARA member interested in joining a Committee or Working Group, or if you know someone on your team who should get involved, fill out the form linked below. 

GET INVOLVED

If you have any questions, email Andrea Mowers at andrea@aradc.org.

ARA Committees

All ARA members are encouraged to join one of the ARA Committees below (excluding those open to board members only). ARA Committees typically meet in-person twice a year: in February, in September, and in December during the annual ARA Conference & Expo.

See below for the main responsibilities of each ARA Committee.

ARA Working Groups

See below for the main responsibilities of each ARA Working Group. Note: some groups may be inactive due to lack of policy updates.

Contact

Andrea Mowers, Director Communications and Member Experience

andrea@aradc.org

Save the Date

Mark your calendar for the 2024 ARA Fall Board & Committee Meeting, held Sept. 11-13 in Memphis, Tennessee.

Committee Sign-Up

If you would like to join an ARA Committee to continue your involvement and participation in future meetings, fill out the form linked below to be added to the Committee roster(s) that interest you.

GET INVOLVED

ARA Committees

ARAPAC Committee

The ARAPAC Committee is the nonpartisan Political Action Committee (PAC) of the Association with a mission to increase political involvement among ARA members by raising funds from members around the nation and to help federal candidates who support ARA's legislative and regulatory mission on Capitol Hill with federal agencies. Responsibilities include:

  • Overseeing contributions
  • Promoting funding with ARA members
  • Expanding fundraising.

Contact hunter@aradc.org for more information.

Audit Committee (Board Members Only)

The Audit Committee usually meets at the winter board meeting with the auditor, and may also meet at the fall meeting or by conference call as needed. Responsibilities include:

  • Selecting the firm to conduct the annual audit of ARA financial statements
  • Reviewing the audit with the firm when it is complete
  • Presenting results to the Board of Directors

Contact dcoppock@aradc.org for more information.

Conference Planning Committee

The Conference Planning Committee is responsible for making sure that the annual ARA Conference & Expo is a “must-attend” meeting for retailers and suppliers. Responsibilities include:

  • Planning the annual conference with an emphasis on content, structure and site selection
  • Conducting on-site planning meeting in January or February before conference

Contact bryna@aradc.org for more information.

Investment Policy Committee (Board Members Only)

The Committee usually meets at the winter board meeting with the investment advisor, and may also meet at the fall meeting or by conference call as needed. Responsibilities include:

  • Supervising the investment of ARA financial reserves
  • Setting parameters for ARA investments

Contact dcoppock@aradc.org for more information. 

Member Services Committee

The Member Services Committee meets at the winter and fall board meetings, and may hold other meetings or conference calls as necessary. Responsibilities include:

  • Overseeing ARA membership recruitment and retention
  • Supervising the services and products offered to members

Contact dtaylor@aradc.org for more information.

Nominating Committee (Board Members Only)

The Nominating Committee is responsible for recruiting ARA Board Members, Officers, and members on the Executive Committee. The Committee offers its recommendations at the Fall Board meeting; new directors and officers are seated at the annual conference and take office on January 1. Responsibilities include: 

  • Recruiting ARA board members annually
  • Presenting the slate of nominees to the board for approval
  • Offering recommendations at the Fall Board Meeting

Contact dcoppock@aradc.org for more information. 

Public Policy Committee

The Public Policy Committee is responsible for developing and proposing to the Board the public policy positions of the Association and for evaluating ARA’s progress in achieving those policy goals. This Committee meets at the winter and fall board meetings, and may hold other meetings or conference calls as necessary. Responsibilities include:

  • Developing and proposing ARA policy priorities and positions to the ARA Board for approval
  • Evaluating ARA's progress in achieving policy goals

Contact richard@aradc.org for more information. 

ARA Working Groups

Climate Stewardship / Carbon Credits Working Group (Active)

ARA's newest working group with the ultimate goal of forming policy priorities for ARA to share with lawmakers and regulators in the near future. This working group was established once a need was identified by the ARA Board of Directors and Committee members. Contact hunter@aradc.org for more information.

Sustainability Guide Working Group (Active)

Advises ARA on the establishment of voluntary Best Management Practices (BMPs) for retailers to utilize in the application of crop input materials (both fertilizer and pesticides) to ensure sustainable and productive agricultural land. Contact hunter@aradc.org for more information.

Farm Bill Working Group

An adjunct of the Public Policy Committee, this group advises and informs ARA’s efforts on the Farm Bill, including conservation programs and crop insurance provisions. Contact hunter@aradc.org for more information. 

Transportation Working Group

An adjunct of the Public Policy Committee, this group advises and informs ARA’s efforts on transportation issues, including the Hours of Service waiver/exemption, HAZMAT transportation, nurse tank regulations, credentialing, etc. Contact richard@aradc.org for more information.

Labor Working Group

An adjunct of the Public Policy Committee, this group advises and informs ARA’s effort on the agricultural workforce, immigration and health related issues primarily related to the U.S. Department of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Contact richard@aradc.org for more information. 

Tax/Trade/Finance Working Group

An adjunct of the Public Policy Committee, this group advises and informs ARA’s efforts on financial issues, including the Estate Tax, 2001 & 2003 tax cuts, pension reform, etc. Contact hunter@aradc.org for more information.

Security Working Group

An adjunct of the Policy Committee, this group advises and informs ARA’s effort on security related issues, primarily related to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program. This group would also review for new or existing security programs and technologies that would help retailers address security related issues at their facilities. Contact richard@aradc.org for more information.

Environmental Stewardship Working Group

An adjunct of the Public Policy Committee, this group advises and informs ARA on efforts related to biotechnology, seeds environmental, stewardship, and conservation efforts with regards to pesticide, nutrient and precision technology use under FIFRA, the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act, and NRCS programs. Contact richard@aradc.org for more information.