Support for Food Labeling Act

Cindy Zimmerman

Hundreds of organizations representing various sectors of the food and agriculture industry signed on to a letter to members of the U.S. House of Representatives this week asking them to support the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act. The groups representing the Coalition for Safe Affordable Food urged members of Congress to consider co-sponsoring the bill introduced last month by …

ARA, Audio, Biotech

Ag Groups Support Non-GMO Label Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

Agricultural organizations are voicing support for the bi-partisan Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act introduced in the U.S. House Wednesday by Reps. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) and G. K. Butterfield (D-NC). The bill includes a new provision to allow those who wish to label their products as GMO-free to do so by through an accredited certification process. “Our goal for this …

AFBF, Ag Groups, ARA, ASA, GMO, NCGA

Fertilizer Safety Alliance Announced

Chuck Zimmerman

Here is the list of organizations involved with today’s alliance signing to advance fertilizer safety. The Agricultural Retailers Association The Fertilizer Institute International Fire Fighters Association National Volunteer Fire Council Ammonia Safety and Training Institute Fertilizer Safety and Health Partners Alliance Occupational Safety and Health Administration Environmental Protection Agency In the photo is Chris Jahn, President, TFI; Dr. David Michaels, …

Ag Groups, ARA, Fertilizer, Safety

Wrapping up Ag Retailers Association Convention

Chuck Zimmerman

Daren Coppock, President/CEO, Agricultural Retailers Association, gave us a preview of last week’s convention and now you can hear his review. I told him I look at these interviews as the bookends for my coverage! Although I might still have a couple more stories to share. Daren says, “We’re really pleased and the basis for that opinion is the feedback …

Ag Groups, ARA, Audio

New Chairman of the Ag Retailers Association

Chuck Zimmerman

Now that we’ve heard from the past Chairman let’s hear from the new Chairman of the Agricultural Retailers Association. He’s Dave DuFault, Simplot, pictured on the left presenting a gift to now past Chairman Gary Farrell. Before the ceremonies took place I talked with Dave. In the coming year Dave says ARA will continue to move forward with the ResponsibleAg …

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, ARA, Audio

Past Chairman of the Ag Retailers Association

Chuck Zimmerman

He’s now the past Chairman of the Agricultural Retailers Association. He’s Gary Farrell (pictured left), Ag Enterprise Supply, who passed the gavel to the new Chairman, Dave DuFault, Simplot at the annual meeting in New Orleans. Prior to the ceremonies I visited with Gary and asked him what he was most proud of accomplishing during his term. He says it …

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, ARA, Audio

CAT on the Move at ARA

Chuck Zimmerman

A first time sponsor and exhibitor at this week’s Agricultural Retailers Association convention in New Orleans was Caterpillar (CAT). Dustin Johansen with CAT says they are working to make their products more well known in the agricultural market. “We’ve always have our construction products sold in agriculture, but as the agriculture industry continues to expand, we want to really put …

ARA, Cattle Industry Conference, Equipment, Fertilizer, Livestock

ResponsibleAg Getting Kicked Off

Chuck Zimmerman

ResponsibleAg Inc. is a non-profit organization founded this year to promote the public welfare by assisting agribusinesses as they seek to comply with federal environmental, health, safety and security rules regarding the safe handling and storage of fertilizer products. Billy Pirkle of Crop Production Services was chosen as the first chair of the organization and he says one of their …

Agribusiness, ARA, Audio, Crop Protection, Fertilizer, Safety

Ag Retailers Having Fun

Chuck Zimmerman

Ag Retailers having fun and raising money for the ARAPAC! That was the action last night at the Agricultural Retailers Association Convention & Expo. Once again this year, Chad “Cracker” Johnson, was the auctioneer who did a masterful job managing the auction. By the way, Chad is a Gator Grad! That’s important to know. 2014 ARA Convention & Expo Photo …

Ag Groups, ARA

Ag Retailers Public Policy Update

Cindy Zimmerman

Transportation issues are at the top of the list of public policy concerns for ag retailers meeting in New Orleans this week. “We plan to make it a priority going into the new Congress,” said Agricultural Retailers Association senior VP for public policy Richard Gupton who updated the membership this morning. “Senator Thune is going to be the new chairman …

Agribusiness, ARA, Audio, Fertilizer