Canadian Certified Crop Advisor Association

Several thousand men and women serve farm clients as crop advisors, providing information and expertise on crop production, crop protection and natural resource management. This group of commercial, public and independent advisers plays an important role in modern agriculture. Crop advisors provide advice and council producers in their decision making process. This responsibility requires a good understanding of science, food safety, technology, economics and environment. Crop advisors combine knowledge in these disciplines with their local experience to render sound recommendations.

Until recently, there has not been a method to determine the credentials of crop advisors. In 1991, under the leadership of the American Society of Agronomy (ASA), leaders from agribusiness, government and university organizations began discussions that led to the creation of the Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) program. The aim of this group was to develop a voluntary program for crop advisors that would: establish standards for knowledge, experience, ethical conduct and continuing education; enhance professionalism; and promote dialogue among those involved in agriculture and natural resource management.

The CCA program is coordinated by the American Society of Agronomy and administered at the local level by state, provincial, or regional boards. These boards are staffed by volunteers with agricultural and natural resource backgrounds representing universities, agribusiness, and government agencies.

Any public, commercial or independent adviser who councils farmers and can meet the rigorous standards of the program, is encouraged to participate. To become a Certified Crop Advisor, a person must:

have up to four years crop advising experience depending on educational background (university degree and two years' experience, college diploma plus three years' experience, high school and four years' experience)
document their education and crop advising experience with supporting references and transcripts
pass a comprehensive national exam and a provincial exam that evaluate four competency areas: soil fertility, integrated pest management, crop production, and soil and water management
sign and agree to uphold the CCA Code of Ethics.

Once certified, the registrant must complete 40 hours of quality continuing education every two years.

This program is designed to recognize a level of expertise or achievement attained by the crop consultant versus training someone to be a crop consultant.