There is a select method in ARel, but you must use the correct table names (i.e. plural and beware if you have polymorphic models or if you're using set_table_name or some other similar non-standard practice) @items = Item. select('users.name', 'users.created_at', 'orders.created_at', 'suppliers.name', 'agents.name', 'manufacturers.name'). where(:users => { :fulfilled => true }). includes(:orders