Maybe you’ve heard of CCAs. Maybe you use one on your farm. Maybe you think you know what they are but you’re not sure how they got there. Maybe you’re thinking, “What the heck is a CCA?” We asked that question on Twitter recently, to a variety of responses:
So what’s the official (non-Twitter) definition of a CCA?
A Certified Crop Adviser is a professional designation from the American Society of Agronomy. Started in 1992, it’s the largest voluntary, agriculturally-oriented certification program in North America. And according to Andy Knepp, chair of the International CCA board, there are more CCAs in Illinois than in any other single area of the world: 1,300 Illinois CCAs, out of 13,000 total certified CCAs worldwide.
To become a CCA, individuals have to pass two exams, including an international and local exam. Is it hard? Apparently so; Knepp says 60 to 70% fail. Advanced degrees don’t make you an automatic CCA. Even with a masters or PhD, an individual still has to take and pass the exams to become certified.
The work isn’t over after the exam. CCAs have to complete 40 hours of continuing education requirements every two years. That’s important when you consider how quickly agricultural production changes – and how much it’s changed in the past 20 years.
CCAs also sign a code of ethics, saying they’ll behave ethically and do their job ethically. That means a farmer who works with a CCA is getting ethical advice, Knepp adds.
The organization created a new designation last fall, requiring an additional exam to certify CCAs as “4R Nutrient Management Specialists.” According to Illinois CCA board chairman Tom Kelley, half of the 100 new 4R Nutrient Management Specialists are from Illinois.
In the end, Knepp puts it well: “Where are you getting your advice? Good advice makes you, bad advice breaks you.”
Holly Spangler has covered Illinois agriculture for more than two decades, bringing meaningful production agriculture experience to the magazine’s coverage. She currently serves as editor of Prairie Farmer magazine and Executive Editor for Farm Progress, managing editorial staff at six magazines throughout the eastern Corn Belt. She began her career with Prairie Farmer just before graduating from the University of Illinois in agricultural communications.
An award-winning writer and photographer, Holly is past president of the American Agricultural Editors Association. In 2015, she became only the 10th U.S. agricultural journalist to earn the Writer of Merit designation and is a five-time winner of the top writing award for editorial opinion in U.S. agriculture. She was named an AAEA Master Writer in 2005. In 2011, Holly was one of 10 recipients worldwide to receive the IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Ag Journalism award. She currently serves on the Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation, the U of I Agricultural Communications Advisory committee, and is an advisory board member for the U of I College of ACES Research Station at Monmouth. Her work in agricultural media has been recognized by the Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Corn, Illinois Council on Agricultural Education and MidAmerica Croplife Association.
Holly and her husband, John, farm in western Illinois where they raise corn, soybeans and beef cattle on 2,500 acres. Their operation includes 125 head of commercial cows in a cow/calf operation. The family farm includes John’s parents and their three children.
Holly frequently speaks to a variety of groups and organizations, sharing the heart, soul and science of agriculture. She and her husband are active in state and local farm organizations. They serve with their local 4-H and FFA programs, their school district, and are active in their church's youth and music ministries.
