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  1. Programs
  2. Certified Crop Adviser (CCA)

Certified Crop Adviser (CCA)

American Society of Agronomy

Certification

The CCA and Certified Professional Agronomist (CPAg) programs certify and support agronomists serving on the front lines of sustainable agronomy.

Duration

Not specified

Credits

Not specified

Cost

Not specified

Format

Hybrid

What You'll Learn

AI-generated

Key competencies developed through this program

  • KnowledgeEvaluate integrated pest management strategies considering economic thresholds and environmental impacts.
    Proficient
Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

  • Apply plant nutrition principles including macronutrient and micronutrient classification, functions, mobility, and regional deficiency and excess concerns
  • Analyze soil fertility processes including nutrient transformations, cation exchange, nitrogen cycling, and the influence of soil characteristics on nutrient uptake
  • Conduct soil sampling and plant tissue analysis to interpret nutrient sufficiency levels and support in-season and season-long nutrient management decisions
  • Select and calculate nutrient sources and application methods including commercial fertilizers, manure, biosolids, and organic inputs based on crop response relationships
  • Manage soil pH and liming programs by calculating lime requirements and evaluating liming material quality and incorporation needs
  • Develop nutrient management plans incorporating yield goals, crop nutrient needs, manure application rates, 4R principles, and environmental risk assessment
Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

Program Details

Detailed information about this program

The Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Program is established as a benchmark for agronomy professionals that provides base-level standards for agronomic knowledge through a national and regional testing process and raises those standards through continuing education. Being certified emphasizes credibility and recognizes that you are committed and experienced in what you do.  When you become certified, you join more than 13,000 of your peers in the largest, most recognized agriculturally oriented certification program in North America that validates your commitment. The CCA program’s professional standards are widely respected by industry, academia, and government agencies and are referenced in statutes.   The goal of the program is to enable agriculture as an industry to meet its environmental stewardship objective.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

Internship/Fieldwork/Practicum Requirements

40 or more total credits within each 2-year cycle, 20 of which must be Board Approved CEUs. The appropriate number of CEUs in these four categories: Nutrient Management, Soil & Water Management, Integrated Pest Management, Crop Management, and Ethics.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.

Visit Program Website
Student Outcomes

Performance metrics for this program

Completion Rate

Not reported

Placement Rate

Not reported

Locations

Where this program is offered

No locations specified.

Related Programs

Programs related to this one

No related programs.

Knowledge
Assess environmental risks associated with agricultural practices following regulatory guidelines and sustainability standards.
Proficient
  • KnowledgeApply agronomic principles to assess crop production systems in diverse field conditions to support sustainable agriculture.
    Developing
  • KnowledgeAnalyze soil test results and nutrient management data to develop site-specific fertilization recommendations.
    Developing
  • KnowledgeInterpret crop performance indicators and yield data to diagnose production challenges and recommend corrective actions.
    Developing
  • KnowledgeApply water management principles to optimize irrigation scheduling and resource conservation in agricultural systems.
    Developing
  • MindsetEngage with farmers and agricultural stakeholders to communicate agronomic recommendations and build collaborative relationships.
    Developing
  • MindsetCommit to sustainable agronomic practices and environmental stewardship when advising clients on crop management decisions.
    Developing
  • KnowledgeDemonstrate knowledge of crop genetics and variety selection to recommend optimal cultivars for regional growing conditions.
    Developing
  • KnowledgeCompare alternative crop management practices using agronomic research and field trial data to support evidence-based advising.
    Developing
  • Precision Agriculture Technicians19-4012.01
    Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers11-9013.00