Crop consultants in California and Arizona have the opportunity until December 5, 2014 to register for the February 6, 2015 Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Exam. The exam will be given at locations in Sacramento, Salinas, Visalia, Ventura, and Yuma. Individuals can register for exam online at https://www.certifiedcropadviser.org/exams/registration. An exam review session will be held in Sacramento on January 9, 2015, registration and session information will be available at www.capcaed.com.
There are more than 930 CCAs in California and Arizona, 80% of the California CCAs are also licensed pest control advisers. CCAs have expertise in Nutrient, Soil, Water, Crop and Pest Management. Growers interested in finding a CCA in their area can go the “Find a Professional” section of the International CCA program website https://portal.sciencesocieties.org/BuyersGuide/ProfessionalSearch.aspx?Token.
Many California CCAs have received additional training in optimizing nitrogen management from the California Department of Food and Agriculture and University of California. The consultants that have completed this training are qualified to write Nitrogen Management Plans that are or will be required of growers by the regional water quality control boards.
The partnership between CCAs and growers is integral to protecting the environment and providing food and fiber for the world. The program is a voluntary certification program that has been in existence for more than 20 years administered by the American Society of Agronomy and overseen by a California board of directors. More information on the California program is available at http://cacca.org/.
For more information contact Steve Beckley at (916)539-4107 or sbeckley@aol.com.