Farm Progress' online education platform has evolved into one of the largest Web-based sites for licensed/accredited agricultural professionals to earn continuing education credit.

Initially launched in 2004 to serve pest control advisers and other licensees under the highly regulated California Department of Pesticide Regulation crop protection system, agceuonline.com quickly evolved into a nationwide platform with course certifications in more than half of the United States.

There are currently 18 courses offered online, accredited by 26 state agencies and professional organizations.

More than 100,000 courses have been completed to date for credit hours.

There are more than 14,000 people registered on the site to take courses. These are individuals who consult with farmers on farming practices from pesticide use to soil and water management. Once licensed, these consultants must maintain their authorization with continuing education courses.

What makes the Farm Progress' agceuonline.com program unique is that its courses are accredited with state agricultural regulatory agencies and professional organizations like the American Society of Agronomy's Certified Crop Adviser program. Completed courses are reported to the agencies by Farm Progress. A Farm Progress certificate is provided to the licensee immediately upon completion for their records. Completion records are also stored in the agceuonline.com database for at least five years.

Course accreditation is earned by submitting courses to these regulating bodies for review. Courses are written by Farm Progress' staff with the extensive input and support of many university and industry professionals. Courses are reviewed annually upon submission for yearly credit.

This support in developing courses stems from the recognition that having online courses available frees up university scientists and extension personnel from conducting live CE courses in order to conduct field and laboratory research.

Although these courses are offered online, each course has a timer to make sure the registered user spends the allotted time to earn hours. And users must successfully pass a test to earn credit hours.

Agceuonline.com registrants like taking online courses because they are available 24/7 and licensees do not have to take time out of the business day to attend CE hours.

Many agricultural companies have sponsored courses as a service to their customers. Some courses are free thanks to sponsorships. Others charge a nominal fee.  

Coordinator of the Farm Progress CE platform is Cheryl Ogle (559) 326-7405 [email protected]

Farm Progress is the largest, most diversified agricultural information business in North America, connecting its users to two million farm and ranch decision-makers and influencers, representing the top 85 percent of the nation's annual agricultural gross domestic product.

Farm Progress brands include two of North America's top agriculture shows, the Farm Progress Show and Husker Harvest Days, and well-established market brands such as Farm Press, Farm Progress, Corn  and Soybean Digest and BEEF.