Choosing a Crop Adviser
- Partnering with Growers and Ranchers
- Working With You in All Areas
- Certification is in Your Best Interest
Partnering with Growers and Ranchers
What should you look for when choosing a crop adviser? As with any decision that affects your livelihood, you want your adviser to have a positive impact on your business and the environment. You want someone who can ensure that they will look out for your best interests. You want the most knowledgeable, well-rounded person for the job. So, the better question might be: How do you find the most qualified crop adviser?
Look for the title Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) and you've found the most qualified professional available. When partnering with a CCA, you can be sure you have a reliable and credible adviser because he/she has met standards set by the American Society of Agronomy (ASA). These standards require CCAs to prove the possess the knowledge that's essential to advise you on cropping system practices. A Certified Crop Adviser must:
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Hold a Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy, with two years of crop advising experience, or have four years of post-high school crop advising experience. (Must be documented with transcripts, detailed description of experiences and supporting references.)
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Pass both a local and an international CCA exam, covering four major competency areas: nutrient management, soil and water management, integrated pest management and crop management.
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Earn 40 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain certification.
Your CCA will use his/her qualifications to save you time and money by guiding you through environmental regulations and applying the latest technology to your farm business. As you planning partner, your CCA will focus on increasing your profitability while optimizing and protecting natural resources. He or she will help you develop a comprehensive program by providing sound environmental stewardship in the following areas:
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Nutrient Management - A complete fertility program that incorporates all available nutrients, including manure
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Integrated Pest Management - Innovative pest control and preemptive strategies that help maximize yields while protecting the environment
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Water and Soil Management - Maintaining the balance between water conservation and optimal production by understanding the relationship between soil and water properties
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Crop Management - Production of healthy, cost-efficient and environmentally sound crops and livestock.
Certification is in Your Best Interest
Not only are CCAs qualified to help you, they are bound by a Code of Ethics to put your needs first. If you already work with crop advisers, ask if they're certified. If you're looking, make sure you choose a CCA. Partnering with a CCA simply makes good business sense.
Go to Find a CCA to locate a CCA near you.
Text from "Qualified to Grow with You" brochure, produced by the American Society of Agronomy.