Oct. 4, 2018
ARA will launch the Sustainability Programming for Agricultural Retailers and CCAs (SPARC) initiative at its upcoming conference and expo to be held in Boca Raton, Fla., in November.
A partnership among ARA, the American Society of Agronomy, the Environmental Defense Fund and Field to Market, the SPARC initiative is a series of introductory-level online educational modules for ag retailer decision-makers and Certified Crop Advisers (CCAs) who are considering or just starting to offer sustainability-oriented agronomic guidance.
Cover crops are just one practice covered in the modules. They’re an identified need supported by a recent study conducted by Datu Research LLC. In its findings, Datu highlights the barriers in the industry preventing cover crops from being a prominent business segment. The study found that 89% of agricultural retailers have offered cover crop products and services in the past two years, and 94% say they want to expand these offerings in the future, yet cover crop acreage remains low.
“Ag retailers have always worked to assist their farmer-customers in conservation practice implementation,” says ARA president and CEO Daren Coppock. “The adoption of cover crops will continue at a slower rate until farmers can see the true value in the practice. Our retailer-members appreciate the survey results and any subsequent findings to work with their customers in making the best decisions for their operations and the environment.”
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