ARA’s Daren Coppock on Policy, Progress, and the Path Ahead
September 10, 2025 At the 2025 Tech Hub LIVE in Des Moines, IA, Daren Coppock, President and CEO of the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA), sat down for a candid Fireside Chat with CropLife Editor Eric Sfiligoj. Speaking as the voice for agricultural retailers in Washington, D.C., Coppock offered a behind-the-scenes look at the current political climate, recent regulatory wins, and the persistent roadblocks slowing ag policy progress.
While headlines often focus on gridlock, Coppock emphasized that there are several policy wins happening under the radar — progress that benefits ag retailers, distributors, and the farmers they serve.
“There are surprisingly a few things working,” Coppock said. “You don’t always hear about them in the press, but there are positive moves forward.”
One key area of progress lies with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), which is working on 17 new rulemaking actions designed to streamline regulatory requirements rather than add to them. These changes, Coppock noted, are bringing compliance into the 21st century — including allowances for electronic certification records, reducing the need for physical paperwork in the field.
Another piece of legislation gaining traction is a new bill from Congressman Tracey Mann that aims to clarify and expand the seasonal ag CDL exemption. The bill would also ensure that implements of husbandry — such as sprayers and rod weeders — are not incorrectly counted against highway weight limits, a nuance that could prevent potential legal issues for growers and retailers transporting equipment.
In addition, Coppock cited a significant collaborative win involving a proposed shipbuilding tariff targeting vessels connected to Chinese ownership or construction. The tariff would have severely disrupted U.S. ag exports and supply chains. Thanks to rapid action and unified lobbying by agricultural trade groups, the initial proposal was toned down, reducing the risk of widespread economic disruption.
But while there are wins, the road to effective policy remains deeply rutted. According to Coppock, bipartisanship in Washington is increasingly difficult to achieve, and coalition-building — once a common practice — now comes with political risk.
“Anybody who tries to reach across that line or create a bipartisan solution…runs the risk of being primaried in the next election,” Coppock warned. “The trenches in the trench warfare are getting deeper.”
At the 2025 Tech Hub LIVE in Des Moines, IA, Daren Coppock, President and CEO of the Agricultural Retailers Association, sat down for a candid Fireside Chat with CropLife Editor Eric Sfiligoj.
He pointed to the recent turmoil over the federal rescissions package, which damaged trust between parties and made it harder to pass essential legislation like appropriations bills. As of early September, no FY2026 appropriations bills had been passed, with a government shutdown looming if no agreement is reached by September 30.
“It’s a lot of examples of how not to run a business,” Coppock remarked. “If there’s not an appropriations authorization…agencies shut down. That’s really disruptive.”
On the subject of the Farm Bill, Coppock explained that while some critical programs have been extended, a full package remains unlikely. Important provisions — like reference price increases and Section 199 tax treatment — were already included in earlier reconciliation legislation. However, other elements may only pass if bundled into a “must-pass” bill later this year.
“Passing a standalone mini Farm Bill is probably unlikely,” he said. “If they can come up with a package that enough people support and can insert it into another bill, that’s the likely path.”
Looking ahead, Coppock offered a preview of the ARA Annual Conference, scheduled for December 2025 in Salt Lake City. The event promises to tackle top issues for ag retailers, shaped by attendee feedback and current industry trends.
Highlights of the upcoming conference include sessions on:
- Artificial Intelligence in Ag Retail
- Fertilizer Market Outlook
- Weather Trends and Risk Management
- Labor Solutions, including ARA’s new Labor Link service
Speakers will include a former USDA Chief Economist, a Green Beret leadership expert, and other high-profile voices offering insights into agriculture’s future.
“If there were ever turbulent times, this is a pretty good approach — having someone speak on leading through them,” said Coppock.
From navigating D.C. dysfunction to planning for ag retail’s evolving future, Coppock’s Fireside Chat reinforced ARA’s commitment to advocacy, education, and collaboration — values that remain critical as the industry faces both opportunity and uncertainty.
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