By: Wm. Bruce Clevenger, OSU Extension Educator, CCA &
Harold Watters, OSU Extension Field Specialist, CPAg/CCA
In farm business, managers solicit the advice or opinion from people near and sometimes far from the farm location. These advisers may have a specialized understanding or experience that can help improve the farm operation. When it comes to agronomic crop recommendations, a farm’s adviser has the potential influence to impact crop yields, equipment purchases, farm operations, water quality and profitability.
What are the extra letters seen following agronomy professionals that advise your farm? CCA stands for Certified Crop Adviser and CPAg stands for Certified Professional Agronomist. What’s the difference and why should I value their opinion?
Certified Crop Advisers earned their certification by passing rigorous state and international exams. For Ohio, the tri-state exam includes Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. CCAs must also sign and adhere to a code of ethics that places the customer’s needs first. CCAs meet and often exceed the high standards set by the American Society of Agronomy (ASA). Technology transfer is an important part of being a CCA. Agricultural scientists offer training to CCAs and depend on them to pass that knowledge on to the grower. Up to date knowledge on the latest developments in agriculture is a pride of the CCA program and certification standards require CCAs to earn 40 hours of continuing education units every two years. In Ohio the CCA program is administer by the Ohio Agribusiness Association under the direction of the Ohio CCA Board. ASA Certification is the standard by which agronomy professionals are judged internationally for more than 30 years.
Certified Professional Agronomists earn their certification by passing an exam as well, but also have a degree in agronomy, or a related degree such as soils, horticulture, or even range science with most having a M.S. degree in their major. Even though CPAgs have been around since the 1970’s as a separate program, as of January 2012, the two programs have been merged. Now both CCAs and CPAgs are represented by a state or regional CCA board; with CPAgs also holding board positions. One difference between the CCA and the CPAg, with the degree also comes a requirement for more experience – a minimum of four years vs. two for the CCA. And the Professional Agronomist is also required to participate in continuing education programs, but must earn 50 hours every two years, with ten in the area of Professional Development. Often those extra ten hours are spent in preparing and delivering training for CCAs.
To find a certified agronomy professional or become a CCA or CPAg visit: https://www.agronomy.org/certifications