The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) announced numerous awards and appointments at its annual conference and expo in New Orleans Dec. 2-4. The Jack Eberspacher Lifetime Achievement Award, ARA’s highest individual honor, went to John Nienas, former strategic accounts lead for Monsanto. The ARA Distinguished Service Award went to Paul Derig, environmental, health and safety manager for J.R. Simplot Co. The Agco Operator of the Year Award went to Brent Klein of Simplot Growers Solutions in Ashton, Idaho.
Several ag retail businesses were also honored. The Ag Retailer of the Year Award, sponsored by Monsanto, went to NEW Cooperative Inc. of Fort Dodge, Iowa. The regional, national, and international Environmental Respect Award winners for 2014 were announced as well, with the U.S. national award going to Centennial Ag Supply Co. of Yuma, Colo. In addition, the conference featured a new AgProfessional Precision Impact Award, which went to three regional winners: Southern States Latta Service in Dillon, S.C.; Central Valley Co-op in Owatonna, Minn.; and Wheat Growers in Aberdeen, S.D.
ARA also used the venue to introduce incoming ARA Chairman of the Board Dave DuFault, vice president and general manager of J.R. Simplot Co.’s retail business, and to thank outgoing chairman Gary Farrell of Ag Enterprises Supply Inc., Spokane, Wash. Dufault has served on the ARA board of directors since 2010, and is also on the board of directors for the Western Plant Health Association and the Tenkoz organization.
Both DuFault and Farrell noted the rollout of ResponsibleAg, the fertilizer storage and handling compliance initiative launched earlier this year, as a key achievement and ongoing priority. “One of the biggest items we have to accomplish is taking ResponsibleAg beyond our agribusinesses,” Dufault said. “We need to take this opportunity to improve agricultural retailers’ image in the general public.”
ARA announced nine new board members to fill vacancies left by outgoing directors. The new members include John Demerly, Dow Agrosciences; Jim Fargo, Centennial Ag; Brian Harrington, Carolina Eastern Vail Inc.; Todd Hudelson, Mid Valley Ag; Troy Johnson, Wilbur-Ellis; Ian McGregor, The McGregor Company; Brooke McMullin, International Raw Materials; Gary Vogen, Yara North America; and Tim Witcher, Greenpoint Ag.