ARA Concludes Annual Conference and Expo
Dec 02 2021
Today the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) concluded its annual Conference & Expo with two panels of industry experts and an off-site local ag tour.
Thursday morning held a presentation of the Chairman’s Report by 2020-2021 ARA Board Chair Rod Wells with GROWMARK Inc., before recognizing the outgoing members of ARA’s board of directors. The ag retailer panel: COVID-19 Practices – Temporary and Permanent Changes featured Matt Carstens, president and CEO of Landus Cooperative; Clay Houchin, CEO of Buttonwillow Warehouse Company; and The Scoop’s Editor Margy Eckelkamp as the moderator.
“This panel represented ag retailers from all across the nation as they discussed what they think is next when it comes to personnel management, customer engagement, logistics and the use of technology,” said Wells.
Moderated by ARA Senior Vice President of Public Policy & Counsel Richard Gupton, the final panel of the conference focused on public policy by offering insight into what the industry has seen in the first year of the Biden administration and discussed what the industry can expect in the next three years. Jeremy Stump with Nutrien, Sean McCarty with Helena Agri-Enterprises, and Hunter Carpenter with ARA provided the ag retail perspective on legislative and regulatory issues that impact business operations.
“Hearing from our member panelists regarding the opportunities and challenges being created by Biden administration policies is essential as ARA members look forward to setting the association’s 2022 policy priorities,” said Gupton.
The Post-Conference Local Ag tour explored the final stages in the food supply chain as attendees toured a food distribution company with facilities that have been recognized as one of the best in the U.S. for safety and emission reductions.
“The ARA members and industry partners present this week can proudly return to their companies equipped with new knowledge and stronger industry connections,” said ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock. “It was refreshing to see the ag retail industry come together this week to share ideas, celebrate our industry’s best, and find new ways to add value to America’s farmers.”
Learn more about the ARA Conference & Expo on the website or on ARA’s social media. The 2022 ARA Conference and Expo will be held Nov. 29 through Dec. 1, in San Diego, Calif.