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…

Episode 216: Jeff Tarsi Reflects on 40 Years in Ag Retail

Just before his retirement from Nutrien, Jeff Tarsi talks about his career and how ag retail has evolved over the past four decades. He shares the role technology has played in the transformation and the importance of staying on top of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

Episode 215: Illinois Ag Retailers Focus on Nutrient Stewardship

IFCA President KJ Johnson gives an update on the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy and how retailers across the state are putting effort into reducing nutrient loss and enhance water quality.

Episode 214: Ag Retail Shifts to Selling Proof, Not Selling Products

Grower's Edge CEO Matt Hansen shares how his company has pivoted and changed in the ag fintech space to help ag retailers and manufacturers grow and improve their marketing, product placement and revenue.

Episode 213: What the Government Shut Down and Trade Updates Mean for Ag Retailers

Hunter Carpenter from ARA’s public policy team joins the podcast to discuss the bill reopening the federal government, and what’s included for ag. He also gives an update on trade including USMCA, China, and the critical minerals listing. You can join the ag retail industry as it gathers from the a…