The Scoop Podcast Farm Bill Roadblocks & E15 Breakthroughs -- What Ag Retailers Need to Know Now

In this episode of The Scoop, Margy Eckelkamp sits down with Hunter Carpenter from the Agricultural Retailers Association to break down the critical policy shifts currently moving through Washington, D.C. The conversation centers on the House-passed Farm Bill, highlighting key wins like the TSP Acc…

The Scoop Podcast: Trust-Driven Service Propels Independent Ag Retailer To Major Milestone

John Hockett, CEO of Marion Ag Service, is the second-generation leader for this family-run ag retailer located in Oregon. As a previous recipient of ARA’s Retailer of the Year, Marion Ag Service exemplifies excellence in its business in many ways, which Hockett boils down to “little things matter.…

The Scoop Podcast: Why Traceability is Table Stakes in the Grain Business

With recently announced guidance from the Department of the Treasury, to support the documentation of agricultural production required to participate for Section 45Z tax credits, Bushel and Verity have integrated their on-farm data,  sustainability modeling and compliance platform. Kimberly Bowron,…

The Scoop Podcast: New Twist For a Conventional Product For The Organic Market

BenVireo TerraLux (10-0-0 liquid organic nitrogen (N) fertilizer) has been named The Scoop’s New Product of the Year runner-up. Gina Colfer, sustainable solutions agronomy manager for Wilbur-Ellis, explains BenVireo is something organic growers may not have dreamed they’d have access to 30 years ag…

The Scoop Podcast: A Voice For the Industry

During its annual fly-in, more than 120 Agricultural Retailers Association members visited 130 congressional offices to promote ARA’s policy priorities. “Being engaged, having a voice for the industry is critically important,” says Richard Gupton, ARA’s senior vice president of public policy.

The Scoop’s 2025 New Product of the Year: Why Biologicals Are Making Waves

Congratulations goes to Indigo Ag and its biotrinsic Nemora FP being named The Scoop’s new product of the year. PJ Smith, Senior Global Product Manager at Indigo Ag, gives insights on how biologicals have grown as a category and as a brand how “when people hear Nemora, they immediately think, no mo…

Episode 220: Trends In Ag Retail Executive Recruitment

Laura Blome, owner and president of Hedlin Ag, works with agribusinesses and clients for leadership and executive searches and role placements. She shares two key skills needed in the industry right now are financial management and excellence in leadership.

Episode 219: What Other Retailers Can Learn From The Retailer of the Year

The team at River Valley Cooperative shares the backstory and gives insights into their industry-leading programs and initiatives. With the mantra “On the ground all year round,” the co-op has integrated all four divisions—agronomy, grain, feed, energy—and invested in internal and customer-facing t…

Episode 218: What Policies & Regulations Will Have the Biggest Effect on Ag Retailers in 2026?

With its upcoming legislative fly-in, ARA’s policy team has been working on its priorities for the year ahead. ARA’s senior director of government affairs Hunter Carpenter gave a status report in mid-January as funding and appropriation bills were starting to move.

Episode 217: When Farmer Margins Erode, Loyalty Erodes

Anna Cardoze, vice president of strategic accounts at Growers, shares how ag retailers’ approach to growing customer loyalty has changed alongside the technology available to make the programs perform. She also gives insights on how every ag retail business is nuanced and which may have low hanging…