Growing Together Spring 2026

Bringing the voice of ag retail to Washington, D.C.

Decisions made by Congress and federal regulatory agencies have a direct and powerful impact on agriculture, which is why ag retailers’ advocacy efforts are imperative.

According to the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA), direct dialogue between ag retailers and Congress is the most effective way to shape policy. To ensure those constructive conversations, ARA members participate in a Legislative Fly-In in Washington, D.C. every March. The three-day event includes an orientation, policy briefings, committee meetings, and visits with legislators and staff to discuss key issues affecting ag retailers and the farmers they serve.

ABOUT ARA AND ITS POLICY PRIORITIES

As the only national nonprofit trade association dedicated to the American ag retailer, ARA acts as the voice of retailers and suppliers by advocating and educating federal legislators and regulators.

Prior to the Fly-In, ARA’s public policy committee – consisting of more than 50 members – establishes public policy priorities that reflect the needs of ag retailers and their customers. The 2026 priorities are the Farm Bill, modern ag technologies, stewardship and sustainability, economic growth, energy, transportation and infrastructure, labor and OSHA, and homeland security.

ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock said the Farm Bill is the top priority and it will be a challenge.

“On a very fundamental level, we need to get the Farm Bill finished because farmers need that level of certainty to be able to run their operations and know what they can do with retailers,” he said.

Specific to ag retailer interests, Coppock said there’s language in the Farm Bill (House version) reaffirming that under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the U.S. EPA would be the sole regulatory authority for pesticide labeling and packaging in the U.S. This would mean that California – and every state – could only regulate the sale and use of pesticides within that state, and not impose labeling or packaging requirements that are different from the U.S. EPA.

SHARING THE PRIORITIES AT THE FLY-IN

More than 120 ARA members from across the country participated in this year’s Fly-In, including Grow West President and CEO Ernie Roncoroni and Vice President/Chief Operating Officer Lucas Schmidt. Participants were grouped by state and assigned meetings with their elected officials; over 130 meetings were held.

The ARA team made sure that members were fully briefed on the policy priorities and provided guidance on how to effectively interact with legislators.

“The real art is trying to figure out where your interests align with the legislator or staffer you’re talking to,” Coppock said. “You’re always looking for alignment. With most of the ag districts, regardless of the political party, there’s usually some pretty strong support and agreement for the positions we take. With some of the urban legislators who may not be as familiar with our policies, we try to find something that’s of interest to them – that’s part of our advocacy ask – and try to get them on board.”

GROW WEST’S ROLE IN ADVOCACY

Coppock said having Grow West and other California-based ARA members at the Fly-In is critical because California has the largest Congressional delegation (52 representatives in the House and two in the Senate), and many legislators don’t really understand agriculture.

“Grow West has been a really strong, long-term supporter of ARA and we’re incredibly grateful for that,” Coppock said.

This year’s Fly-In was Roncoroni’s third time and Schmidt’s first. They agreed that bringing the California ag retailer voice to Capitol Hill is critical.

Roncoroni said it was a tremendous success to spend meaningful time advocating for Northern California agriculture.

“Once again, the ARA Fly-In proved to be an impressive and worthwhile event,” Roncoroni said. “Having the chance to connect with members of the U.S. House and Senate and their staff about the pressing issues facing Grow West and our customers is always essential. We engaged in conversations on a wide range of topics, such as fertilizer supply, water storage, farm bill subsidies, insurance, transportation and the high cost of increasing regulation.”

Schmidt said it was an honor to be a part of the Fly-In and represent California agriculture.

“A wide range of states were represented, and I was highly impressed with the preparation and level of discussions with federal legislators and staff,” Schmidt said. “The timing was perfect, as Farm Bill activities were in full force. The opportunity allowed us to personalize and tailor topics towards California and Western agriculture.”

Schmidt said one of the topics highlighted under the transportation and supply chain discussion was the Union Pacific Norfolk Southern Merger. “If approved, this merger would be the nation’s first transcontinental freight rail line and has the potential to reduce competition while increasing rates,” he said. “Reliable and affordable logistic options are essential for all segments within agriculture.”

LOOKING AHEAD

After the Fly-In meetings, ARA asks participants to follow up with federal legislators and staff. Additionally, ARA recommends that members develop positive relationships with district staff on a local level and invite them to visit ag retail facilities. “It’s a really great local connection that lets policymakers see with their own eyes exactly who we are and what we do,” Coppock said. “Even a couple of hours at a facility is beneficial to increasing their awareness.”

Coppock said it’s important to have a sustained and strong effort with advocacy on behalf of ag retailers.

“There are always issues that need to be worked on, no matter who is in the White House or in control of Congress,” he said. “We don’t want to lose that momentum. We want to keep our presence strong and steady so that when something happens that we need help on, the help is there.”