GROWING TOGETHER: HOW ARA MEMBER BENEFITS BUILD VALUE FOR GROWMARK
Oct 09 2025
For more than 15 years, GROWMARK has been an active member of the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA). Through advocacy, professional development, and a strong network of peers, GROWMARK Senior Vice President of Strategy and Logistics Rod Wells has seen how ARA member benefits deliver tangible results that strengthen both GROWMARK’s business and its people.
How does ARA advocacy protect and strengthen the ag industry?
Wells said ARA’s role in Washington, D.C., has been an invaluable member benefit, from navigating supply chain issues to influencing major policy decisions.
“Being able to provide input into policy decisions that affect our industry is critically important for us,” said Wells. “We’ve had direct influence on issues ranging from anhydrous ammonia regulations to Section 199A of the tax code. ARA has been there every step of the way.”
That advocacy requires collaboration with U.S. representatives and senators. Through ARA’s legislative committee and annual fly-in, members actively help shape policy priorities and share them with elected officials.
“I underestimated the impact of meeting with lawmakers directly,” Wells admitted. “But hearing from retailers on the ground truly moves the needle.”
How does ARA professional development help build leaders?
ARA provides unique professional development opportunities — even for companies like GROWMARK that already have robust internal training resources. GROWMARK regularly participates in these programs, including the Rising Stars initiative and the ARA Management Academy. Participation in these member benefits gives employees valuable training, leadership experience, and industry exposure.
For example, Rising Stars participants gain 360-degree feedback and national recognition that support career advancement. And their new skills mean their customers get better service and experiences.
The ARA Navigator 360º feedback instrument, tailored to the agricultural industry, helps elevate leadership to thrive in challenging times. This tool assesses a leader’s effectiveness and identifies skills they need to develop. It’s available for three levels of agricultural leaders:
- Emerging Leader 360 (individual contributors and high potentials)
- Performance Leader 360 (frontline employees, branch managers, etc.)
- Strategic Leader 360 (president, CEO, COO, CFO, vice president, manager of managers, etc.)
The online tool collects and interprets feedback, giving your team insights into their key skills and strengths while suggesting areas where they can improve.
The ARA Management Academy proves beneficial for salespeople, agronomists, and agronomy managers. It provides a toolkit with new trends and best business practices that lead to effective decision making, value creation, and differentiation from competitors.
“When employees come back with new insights, they’re more valuable to their teams and to the farmers we serve,” Wells said.
How does ARA membership help create a path to engagement and leadership?
Wells worked his way up through the ranks and served as ARA chair in 2020 and 2021, where he helped lead and guide committees and the board.
“Serving on the ARA board and in leadership roles helped me develop skills I use every day,” Wells explained. “Speaking to large groups, guiding committees, and working with peers across the industry made me a stronger leader.”
GROWMARK encourages members to get involved beyond conferences. Committees that are open to all members are a great entry point. From there, many opportunities to grow exist, whether through guiding a committee, joining the board, or even serving as a committee chair.
“It’s a force multiplier,” stated Wells. “ARA makes us stronger. If you get involved, great things will happen for your career, your company, and agriculture as a whole.”
How can ARA networking opportunities create lifelong connections?
From annual conferences to committee meetings, the networking opportunities ARA offers are just as important to the GROWMARK team as the policy work.
“It’s always valuable to talk with people facing the same challenges,” Wells explained. “Whether it’s hiring, training, or customer engagement, peers across the country are willing to share ideas. Beyond that, you build friendships and long-term relationships that make our industry stronger.”
What are the member benefits of attending the ARA Annual Conference & Expo?
The ARA Annual Conference & Expo brings together retailers, suppliers, and policymakers. For GROWMARK, it’s an event that combines education, networking, and fun.
“There are compelling speakers, future-focused discussions, and a trade show that covers everything from new technologies to facility design,” Wells said. “But most importantly, it’s a chance to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and bring home insights that make us better. Go once. You’ll find value and you’ll want to go back.”
The three-day annual conference takes place in early December in different locations across the southern and western U.S. each year. In addition to featuring keynote speakers and breakout presentations by industry leaders, the conference provides networking options at the opening reception and available tours.