Transportation & Supply Chain
Supply chain disruptions and transportation challenges continue to cause major challenges for the ag industry. Ag retailers need modernized and preserved U.S. inland waterways and freight rails that connect thousands of US manufacturers, farmers and energy producers with consumers. This is crucial for ag retailers to continue to feed and fuel America’s ag economy and global competitiveness.
ARA Position
- Back a five-year reauthorization of Surface Transportation programs that exclude a vehicle-miles traveled fee to avoid undue economic hardship for rural communities
- Support reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Board & provisions to increase shippers rights & competition
- Advocate for an expanded Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program by allowing more 18- to 20-year-old drivers to participate & adding more opportunities
- Support legislation to allow for a 10% axle variance for dry bulk without increasing overall federal gross vehicle weight limit
- Back Hours of Service (HOS) legislation to eliminate “planting & harvesting” seasonal provisions & authorize a pilot program for farm supply transporters to operate in up to a 200-air mile radius
- Support reforms to the Farm-Related Restricted CDL program
Each year, ARA members decide a new set of public policy issues to steer the association's advocacy efforts with elected officials and regulatory agencies in Washington during the annual ARA Legislative Fly-In and beyond.
View the list of main policy priorities.
ARA at Work
ARA launched a new member service to help ag retailers save money and train more truck drivers while helping them comply with the Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements established in 2022, which have increased operating costs on agribusinesses up to $8,000 per driver and serve as a barrier to entry for individuals interested in obtaining a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
By partnering with the National Propane Gas Association's (NPGA) ACE Services, ARA's member service provides the resources needed for behind-the-wheel training to be done in-house with a qualified instructor. Since February 2022, this program has helped more than 2,300 users and trained more than 3,000 drivers.
"Obtaining CDL drivers in ag retail is becoming more challenging each year," said Blake Griffin with GreenPoint Ag in Stuttgart, Arkansas.
"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."
Serving as the FMCSA Registered Training Provider, this program handles:
- FMCSA paperwork and filings;
- FMCSA audits; and
- Training materials and training equipment guidance to meet FMCSA requirements.
DC Help Desk
ARA's DC Help Desk member service is a direct line to ag public policy experts. Send regulatory and legislative questions to the DC Help Desk for support. ARA members may also use this service to request help when scheduling a facility tour with their elected official in Congress.