Help ARC Keep Growing

The Agricultural Relations Council has more than 120 members and has grown each year since the association re-organized back in 2010. Our membership includes all those who work in some form of agricultural public relations – from marketing agencies (big and small), agribusiness, state and national commodity associations (crop and livestock), national farm organizations, state/federal government ag agencies, and more.

Also included in our membership are the national officers and state chapter presidents of the Ag Communicators of Tomorrow, through a grant program funded through contributions from Warren Clark and CCI Marketing. The more diverse our membership is, the stronger the value of that membership.  ARC is a wonderful melting pot of a variety of people and skills in everything from large corporations to sole proprietorships.  What our members have in common is a zeal for excellence in promoting agriculture.

To keep growing, however, the organization needs ARC advocates who will go out, spread the word and find new members.  Have your colleagues and contacts who are not yet ARC members visit our website and see why ARC is the only true organization for public relations professionals.

The ARC board continues to develop more value to your membership, including meaningful webinars and an improved interactive website.  It’s important to keep ARC growing.  The organization has risen from the ashes and the positive energy and motivation to make ARC thrive must be maintained. We encourage all current members to recruit at least one other member to the Agricultural Relations Council. Let your colleagues know the value of belonging—the great networking, excellent annual conference and the professional development.  For companies who want multiple employees to join ARC, we have developed a laddered membership offer that will provide a significant cost savings.   The laddered membership program works like this:

Member #1 — $225*

Member #2 and beyond — $200*

*A fully tax-deductible contribution of $15 is included for the ARC Foundation that will assist ag PR students in industry-related professional development.  If you prefer not to contribute, please notify the ARC office at 952-758-5811.

There has never been a better time to join ARC.  You will find an application online at www.agrelationscouncil.org. You can fill out the membership application and email it to kyle@cornerwindowcommunications.com or mail with payment to: ARC, 126 Main Street East, New Prague, MN 56071.  Or you can complete your online membership payment and payment here.

ARC is interested in attracting quality members to our roster and make our organization the best in the ag communications industry.

Click here to download the membership application or Click here to apply online


ARC Member Testimonials

“The Agricultural Relations Council provides development opportunities for beginning and seasoned ag communicators alike. The opportunity for networking and brainstorming that comes through sharing with other ag communicators, from topics like advocacy communications and marketing to social media and
measurement, is highly targeted to everything we do to better serve farmers and ranchers. ARC is an organization that offers a diverse mix of agricultural pros, from organizations, communications firms and agribusiness sectors. I am proud to have played a role in the resurgence of this great organization that really is the only organization focused solely on the ag communicator and the things that we do.”

– Mace Thornton, COO & Partner, Stratovation Group 

=====================

“I have always been impressed with my colleagues in the Agricultural Relations Council. We build productive relationships and learn best practices from each other. Agricultural public relations has its own language that puts professionals in a better position to influence stakeholders and ARC has always helped its members reach a successful level of fluency. I am glad ARC is back and seeing its membership increasing.”

– Steve Mercer, U.S. Wheat Associates, Inc.

=====================

“Becoming involved with the ARC has been the highlight of my long ag journalism career. What I value most is the professional networking opportunities. As someone who works with Farm Bureau, I have a great pool of public relations colleagues in our organization. However, ARC has allowed me to meet people at marketing communications agencies and commodity associations that generally Farm Bureau PR people wouldn’t have the opportunity to know. These contacts have proven to be beyond valuable. In addition, the professional development with webinars and ARC’s annual conference is excellent.

ARC is a fine place for leadership development. I am proud to serve on the board as a past president of ARC. This proves Farm Bureau communications people have opportunities to get involved on all levels, as well as network with a wide range of professionals and hone your communications skills.  Unlike some of the generic public relations associations, such as PRSA, ARC is all about agricultural public relations and ARC members are very willing to share their vast knowledge on everything ag PR! Join us today. (P.S.: Not only is the professional networking with ARC members great, they become your friends.)”

– Rebecca Colnar, Montana Farm Bureau

=====================

“I’ve been a member of ARC since 1988 – first as a staff member, then full-fledged member, and having served the board. The people I have met and the experiences I have had through ARC have benefitted me personally, as well as the clients and organizations I have counseled over those years. ARC has been more important to me than my college degree!”

– Daren Williams, Curious Plot