Qualified to Grow With You

Certified Crop Advisers (CCA)Certification Program of the

American Society of Agronomy

These are demanding times!

The Demands of the Agricultural industry today require producers to make careful decisions in a number of areas!Things like……

Environmental protectionSoil and water managementCrop and rotational selectionsNutrient management

Having access to a knowledgeable, professional, and experienced Crop Adviser

can be critical for success!

But finding the right Adviser can be difficult!

You know your Crop Adviser must:

• Have a positive impact on your business and the environment surrounding your operation

• Always look out for your best interests first

• Be a knowledgeable, experienced and well-rounded person

SO………..

The better question might be:

How can you find a Crop Adviser that fits these criteria?

• Look for the title

- Certified Crop Adviser (CCA)

A highly qualified Professional

CCA is part of theAmerican Society of Agronomy!

The American Society of Agronomy has over 90 years of history and plays an important role in the certification and tracking of continuing education for the Certified Crop Adviser Program.

The CCA program is controlled by local/regional boards

• List of your regional board members here

When partnering with a CCA you have an adviser that you can

count on to be:

• Dedicated• Credible• And be someone who has met rigid

standards set by the

American Society of Agronomy (ASA)

ASA Standards

These standards include……• Exams to demonstrate command of the

science and principles involved in crop production

• Experience minimums to demonstrate the ability to apply the knowledge they possess

• Continuing Education to insure continued excellence!

Exams

• A CCA must pass two comprehensive exams:

International Exam – covering agronomic practices and principles

And……..

Local Exam– covering specific agronomic practices and conditions for the state,

province, or region the CCA works in

Gaining Certification is not easy!

• On the average, just 60% of those seeking CCA status and sitting for the exams actually achieve certification!

Exams cover:

• Nutrient management

• Soil and water management

• Integrated pest management

• Crop management

CCA’s must have Experience too!

• 2 years crop advising with a minimum of a BS Degree in Agronomy or……

• 4 years post high school in-field experience and….

• All this must be documented with transcripts and references

Continuing Education

• Every CCA must earn 40 hours of continuing education every 2 years once certified, in order to continue to maintain CCA certification!

Working with you in all areas!

• When you find a crop adviser with CCA certification, you have found someone who will assist you in saving time and money by guiding you through environmental regulations and applying the latest technology to your agricultural business.

As your planning partner

• Your CCA will focus on increasing your profitability while optimizing and protecting natural resources.

Your CCA will

• Help you develop a comprehensive program by providing sound environmental stewardship in the following areas:

Nutrient Management

• A complete fertility program that incorporates all available nutrients, including manure.

Water and Soil Management

• Maintaining the balance between water conservation and optimal production by understanding the relationship between soil and water properties.

Integrated Pest Management

• Innovative pest control and preemptive strategies that help maximize yields while protecting the environment.

Crop Management

• Production of healthy, cost-efficient and environmentally sound crops and livestock. Working to manage crops, soil, and water resources in harmony.

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.

CCA

Code of Ethics

Partnering with a CCA simply makes good business sense

• Exams• Experience• Education• Code of Ethics

15,000 Certified CCAs in US/Canada!

So finding a qualified adviser you can count on is as simple as

three letters!

CCA

For information on CCAsAmerican Society of Agronomy

608 – 273 – 8085

www.agronomy.org

Or contact your local/state CCA board!