Agricultural Labor / Immigration Reform

Update on ARA Virtual Fly-In Visits with Congress

Apr 08, 2022

ARA members participate in grassroots engagement efforts during the annual legislative fly-in. Held virtually this year, the visits are a chance for ag retailers and suppliers to sound their voice about issues impacting their operations and community among elected officials and their staff in Congress.

Helpful Links on COVID-19

Sep 14, 2021

Information, guidance and resources to be used to help agricultural retailers and distributors continue operations amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

ARA Submits Comments on Behalf of Ag Retailers

Jun 22, 2021

ARA recently submitted comments in response to the request for information on Supply Chains for the Production of Agricultural Commodities and Food Products (docket number AMS-TM-21-0034). This comment period was in direct response to Executive Order 14017, “America's Supply Chains,” which focused on the need for resilient, diverse, and secure supply chains to ensure U.S. economic prosperity and national security.

Top Regulatory & Policy Issues for Ag Retailers to Watch (The Scoop Podcast)

Feb 24, 2021

ARA's Richard Gupton joins The Scoop Podcast, ARA's official magazine and podcast partner, to discuss the top regulatory and policy issues for ag retailers to watch. He also explains how ag retailers can get engaged.

Photo of U.S. Capitol with trees at the bottom of the photo

New Year, New Administration, New Priorities For Ag Retail (The Scoop)

Feb 15, 2021

The beginning of a new year brings the opportunity for ARA members to refocus the member-led organization’s policy priorities for the coming year. ARA’s Washington-based policy team has been working for months with the Biden administration transition team and staffers on Capitol Hill to bring them up to speed on the issues. As determined by the membership, ARA’s policy priorities for 2021 include the following.

ARA Successfully Lobbied for an Exception for Certain H-2 South African Workers

Jan 29, 2021

ARA successfully lobbied Congress and the Biden administration on a national interest exemption for certain H-2 travelers from South Africa along with other national and state ag groups.

ARA Participates in OSHA Safe+Sound Week, Shares Member Stories

Aug 10, 2020

ARA is proud to participate in OSHA Safe + Sound Week on Aug. 10-16 by sharing safety stories from members and encouraging members to stay informed.

2019 ARA Retailer of the Year Premier Ag

Maintaining Business During a Busy Planting Season and Deadly Pandemic

Apr 30, 2020

Harold Cooper, CEO of the 2019 ARA Retailer of the Year award-winning company Premier Ag, recently wrote to ARA about his take on the current state of the regulatory environment and what it means to be an ARA member in a time of crisis.

Ag Labor / Workforce Needs

The agricultural community is dependent on a sustainable workforce now more than ever. Every farm worker engaged in high-value labor intensive crop and livestock production sustains an average of two to three off-farm jobs. With the added burden of a global pandemic, employers and employees are strained even further.