Greg Schmitz Recognized as Certified Crop Advisor of the Year at AAI Conference
Greg Schmitz, 2014 Iowa Certified Crop Adviser of the Year addressing his fellow CCAs during the Iowa Certified Crop Advisers Recognition Luncheon.
Greg Schmitz, Marketing Manager with Crop Production Services, Inc. was recognized as the Iowa Certified Crop Adviser of the Year. This honor was awarded to Schmitz during the Iowa Certified Crop Advisers’ recognition luncheon at the Agribusiness Association of Iowa’s (AAI) Agribusiness Showcase & Conference, held on February 11 in Des Moines at the Varied Industries Building on the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
Certified Crop Advisers (CCAs) utilize their skills in nutrient and pest management to assist growers with economical and efficient crop production. They also ensure that growers are aware of regulations and utilize best management practices to protect the environment.
Iowa CCA board initiated the Iowa Certified Crop Adviser of the Year designation to recognize a member of the industry who exemplifies CCAs providing professional and effective “good advice” to clients. Past recipients include Mike Gannon (2010), Tracy Cameron (2011), and Bruce Baier (2012).
Schmitz, who lives in Wall Lake, IA, has worked in and around agriculture for the majority of this life. His career began at a retail inputs operation that his father was involved with when Schmitz was in sixth grade. Schmitz worked for Boyer Valley and UAP before joining Crop Production Services, Inc. in 2009.
In addition to awarding the Iowa CCA of the Year to Schmitz, the Iowa Certified Crop Advisers Board of Directors recognized 97 individuals for fifteen years and 58 individuals for twenty years of professionalism and years of service to agriculture as CCAs during the luncheon. EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks, Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey and Iowa DNR Director Chuck Gipp were the luncheon’s featured speakers.
At the Agribusiness Showcase & Conference, approximately 200 CCAs received continuing education training to maintain their certification. AAI offered fourteen hours of continuing education units (CEUs) at the event and will offer six additional hours during a summer session in 2014. A CCA must accumulate a total of forty hours of CEUs every two years to maintain their certification.
Certified Crop Advisors Recognized for Tenure at AAI Conference
The Iowa Certified Crop Advisers Board of Directors recognized 97 individuals for fifteen years and 58 individuals for twenty years of professionalism and years of service to agriculture as CCAs during the annual CCA Recognition Luncheon at the Agribusiness Showcase & Conference on Tuesday, February 11. EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks, Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey and Iowa DNR Director Chuck Gipp were the luncheon’s featured speakers.
CCAs utilize their skills in nutrient and pest management to assist growers with economical and efficient crop production. They also ensure that growers are aware of regulations and utilize best management practices to protect the environment.
“Your status as a certified professional demonstrates your dedication to your profession, your employer and your client. Being a CCA shows that you are willing to put in the extra work to get ahead in your field,” said Walter Armstrong, chair of the Iowa CCA board.
Joel Brinkmeyer, CEO of Agribusiness Association of Iowa stated, “I congratulate the CCAs who were recognized for their years of service. CCAs are a valuable resource for producers as they begin to implement new water quality best management practices outlined in Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy. We are delighted the CCAs attended our event for continued training and education. As farmers continue to refine their business, their suppliers and crop advisers will be well trained and ready to share valuable information that will improve their farm operations efficiency, while maintaining an emphasis on environmental improvement.”
At the Agribusiness Showcase & Conference, approximately 200 CCAs received continuing education training to maintain their certification. AAI offered fourteen hours of continuing education units (CEUs) at the event and will offer six additional hours during a summer session in 2014. A CCA must accumulate a total of forty hours of CEUs every two years to maintain their certification.
Chance to Win a Shotgun by Showing Your CCA Pride
The Iowa Certified Crop Advisers will be holding a special shotgun drawing at the Agribusiness Showcase & Conference on Wednesday, February 12 just for Iowa CCAs.
How to Enter
- Write your name and CCA number on an 8 ½” x 11” sheet of paper.
- Take a picture of that paper next to your CCA sticker which was sent to you in 2013 (click here for example).
- Send the photo to [email protected] by February 7, 2014 for a chance for your name to be drawn for the shotgun on the second day of the Agribusiness Showcase & Conference on Wednesday, 12, 2014.
- You must be present to win.
Good luck!
Time to Register for the 2014 Agribusiness Showcase & Conference
More speakers, a new schedule & an improved Showcase floor layout are just a few of the exciting changes at this year’s event on February 11 & 12!
Over 1,000 progressive agricultural thinkers from Iowa and surrounding states are expected, which will include crop production professionals, grain professionals, pesticide applicators, seed industry representatives and college students.
CCAs will be able to jumpstart earning their required CEUs with over twenty speakers & topics to choose from which includes a special session focused on CCAs’ & Ag Retailers’ role in Iowa’s Water Quality Initiative.
Click here to see a list of speakers.
Click here to learn how to register.
Iowa Certified Crop Advisers Announce Three New Board Directors
The Iowa Certified Crop Advisers (Iowa CCA) is pleased to announce John Bergeson, David Chaffin and Greg Sweeney as their newly elected Board Directors.
John Bergeson lives in Mingo, Iowa and is a Crop Consultant at Crop Production Services. Bergeson graduated from Iowa State University in 1979 with an Ag Business degree.
David Chaffin lives in Urbandale, Iowa and is a Data Research Agronomist at John Deere. Chaffin is a 1996 graduate of Iowa State University with a B.S. in Agricultural Studies and Environmental Studies.
Greg Sweeney lives in Meservey, Iowa and is a Seed Team Leader at MaxYield Cooperative. Sweeney graduated with a B.S. in Agronomy from Iowa State University in 2002.
Bergeson, Chaffin and Sweeney will begin their three year term on the Iowa CCA Board of Directors in January.
CCA – Iowa Board Celebrates 20 Years of Defining a Profession
To download this press release as a PDF, click here.
Des Moines, IA – June 2013 – The Certified Crop Adviser Program announces the celebration of its 20th anniversary year and the CCA – IOWA is excited to celebrate this important milestone.
The Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Program was established in 1992 in response to an increased need for agronomic expertise to address environmental concerns. The U.S. agricultural industry responded by designing and implementing a program of professional training, certification, and self-regulation – the CCA Program. Testing for the certification began in 1993, for any crop adviser or consultant that spends the majority of their time advising growers on agronomic practices and can meet the standards of the program. The program operates in the US, Canada, Mexico, and India.
The International Certified Crop Adviser (ICCA) Program is the largest voluntary, agriculturally oriented certification program in North America. Over 13,000 agronomy professionals have met the standards set by the American Society of Agronomy (ASA) to become certified. Professionals who have attained the CCA credential have passed two comprehensive exams covering nutrient management, soil and water management, integrated pest management, and crop management. Along with contributing to the agronomic community and gaining at least two years of required experience, they have made a commitment to focus on grower profitability while optimizing and protecting our natural resources.
Farmers and employers prefer to work with Certified Crop Advisers (CCA) because CCAs have demonstrated they have the commitment, education, expertise, and experience to make a difference. Being certified adds credibility and shows that you are serious about what you do.
To learn more about the CCA program or find a local CCA, visit https://www.certifiedcropadviser.org/
For more discussion and the latest news on the CCA program, visit Facebook and LinkedIn (Certified Crop Adviser)