Transportation & Infrastructure

ARA Applauds House Action on Ocean Shipping Reform, Urges Senate to Follow Suit

Dec 09, 2021

Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) President and CEO Daren Coppock issued a statement of support following the U.S. House of Representatives' passage of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021.

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Passage is Bipartisan Success

Nov 06, 2021

Today the ARA applauds the U.S. House of Representatives' passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock released the following statement.

ARA Board Chairman Testifies Before House Agriculture Committee on Supply Chain Issues

Nov 03, 2021

The U.S. House of Representatives Agriculture Committee held a hearing on “The Immediate Challenges to our Nation’s Food Supply Chain.” Rod Wells, chief supply chain officer for GROWMARK, Inc., and Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) board chairman, was selected to testify on the panel.

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.

Red Commercial semi truck driving down a rural paved road

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Passage in Senate is Step in the Right Direction

Aug 10, 2021

The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) applauds the U.S. Senate’s passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

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.

Blue Semi Truck hauling a load down a road

ARA Encouraged by Progress on Seasonal Ag CDL Reform

Jun 16, 2021

Today the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a mark-up on S. 2016, the Surface Transportation Investment Act. ARA has been working closely with Senator Moran, R-Kan., Senator Thune, R-S.D., and allies on Capitol Hill to encourage reform to the Farm-Related Restricted Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program, more commonly referred to as the Seasonal Ag CDL program ahead of this mark-up. Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Counsel Richard Gupton issued the following statement.

ARA Praises STB Final Rule on Demurrage Charges

Apr 08, 2021

ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock released the following statement regarding the Surface Transportation Board's (STB) final rule on demurrage charges.

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.