Mike Lessiter, Editor/Publisher of Farm Equipment magazine, met with organizations while in Washington D.C. attending a business media summit. He interviewed representatives from the Agricultural Retailers Association, National Association of Conservation Districts, The Fertilizer Institute and Field to Market, which you can find video from below. You can also read more about his trip in his blog "Time to Move Your Circle."
Interview with Hunter Carpenter (Senior Director of Public Policy, Agricultural Retailers Association) and Darren Coppock (President and CEO, Agricultural Retailers Association)
The Agricultural Retailers Associations and Its Role in Shaping Policy
The Agricultural Retailers Association represents ag retailers of all shapes and sizes around the country here in Washington, says president and CEO Daren Coppock. The ARA is in business to help the retailers comply with regulations and the rules that come out, but also have a profitable business so that they can serve the customer and be there tomorrow and next year, and for the next 10 years to come.
How the Agricultural Retailers Association Helps Growers
Senior Director of Public Policy Hunter Carpenter with the Agricultural Retailers Association explains how the association works with ag retailers to support their freedom and license to operate, and their drive to make sure that their businesses are profitable, but also, if the grower's not profitable, the retailer's not going to be profitable either. They also offer opportunities to give farmers a voice and a platform to share their concerns and allow the Agricultural Retailers Association to advocate on behalf of the ag community.
Learning from the Agricultural Retailers Association and the Road Ahead
Agricultural Retailers Association's President and CEO Daren Coppock explains how the ARA helps provide its members with networking and advocacy work as well as educational opportunities through their annual conference. Additionally Senior Director of Public Policy Hunter Carpenter discusses the current concerns their members have voiced regarding the farm bill and crop insurance which the ARA has shared with the new administration.
Interview Jeremy Peters (CEO, National Association of Conservation Districts)
The Dust Bowl and the Creation of the Natural Resources Conservation Service
When improper land management and severe drought resulted in the ecological disaster known as the Dust Bowl, Dr. Hugh Hammond Bennett led the way to establishing the Soil Erosion Services. CEO Jeremy Peters of the National Association of Conservation Districts discusses how Bennett, known as the Father of Soil Conservation, convinced the U.S. congress that something needed to be done and how he changed the farming industry.
Jeremy Peters Shares the Importance of Conservation Practices
National Association of Conservation Districts CEO Jeremy Peters tells farmers there’s still one big message they like to hammer home, "it's never too late to do the right thing". Peters details how the NACD can assist farmers experiment with no-till and cover crops while helping to mitigate the risks. For example most local conservation district offer equipment rentals of no-till drills to allow for testing before making any big capital expenses.
Celebrating 90 Years with the National Association of Conservation Districts
Jeremy Peters, CEO of the National Association of Conservation Districts, celebrates the 90th anniversary of NRCS, highlighting the work these organizations have accomplished and discusses the evolving logo of the National Association of Conservation Districts.
Interview Kathy Mathers (Senior Vice President of External Affairs, The Fertilizer Institute) and David Townsend (Director of Member Programs, The Fertilizer Institute)
The Successes of The Fertilizer Institute
The Fertilizer Institute's Senior Vice President of External Affairs Kathy Mathers remarks on working with Congress on introducing transportation legislation to help fund rural roadways. Meanwhile Director of Member Programs, David Townsend shares an update on TFI's goals of expanding nutrient management stewardship across the United States.
The Fertilizer Institute's Reaction to New Policy
With the political landscape of the United States changing with each new administration, The Fertilizer Institute is always ready to react appropriately to new challenges. Kathy Mathers, Senior Vice President of External Affairs explains how new tarrifs are affecting the imports and exports essential to the ag industry and how that affects growers. David Townsend, Director of Member Programs, shares how they set up field days to educate their manufacturing members a chance to see how these policy changes can directly impact their customers, the farmer.
The Upcoming TFI Agronomy Conference and Expo
David Townsend, Director of Member Programs and Kathy Mathers, Senior Vice President of External Affairs with The Fertilizer Institute share the details about their upcoming Agronomy Conference and Expo running from August 4, 2025 - August 6 in Indianapolis, IN. The discuss how the ag retail event serves as a platform to expand agronomic knowledge, network with peers, and discover new market opportunities.
How the Fertilizer Institute Advocates for Farmers
The Fertilizer Institute's David Townsend, Director of Member Programs and Kathy Mathers, Senior Vice President of External Affairs discuss the history of the organization and how they are at an all-time high in terms of the number of member companies with 250 member companies. They also share how they work with lawmakers on behalf of farming communities across the country to ensure that the concerns of the farmer are heard by the appropriate government organizations.
Interview Kelsey Swango Billings (Vice President of Innovation and Stakeholder Engagement, Field to Market)
The Early History of Field to Market
Vice President of Innovation and Stakeholder Engagement Kelsey Swango Billings, details the origins of Field to Market and how it started as a small working group. From just a single meeting, bringing about 15 people together within the industry to talk about how to advance sustainable agriculture in the U.S. Next year will be the 20th anniversary celebrating how they've grown quite a bit since then into a non-profit organization. With nearly 200 members, spanning from grower organizations all the way to brands and retail and everyone in between.
The Five Sectors of Field to Market
Kelsey Swango Billings, Vice President of Innovation and Stakeholder Engagement at Field to Market details the five sectors of Field to Market and the grower organizations so they represent a farmer's interest. The five sectors - affiliate, agribusiness, brands & retail, civil society, and grower - cover the entirety of the agricultural value chain which is key to Field to Market's success.
Coming Together at the Field to Market Annual Meeting
Field to Market's Vice President of Innovation and Stakeholder Engagement Kelsey Swango Billings shares information about their recent Field to Market Annual meeting. Held in Kansas City, Mo., the meeting invited growers and manufacturers from around the country gathered to foster dialogue on innovation and collaboration across the agricultural value chain.
