North American CCA Board

The North American (USA and Canada) Board met last month to conduct annual business.  No changes were enacted for the ICCA Program during this meeting.  The focus of the meeting was on promoting the program.  Crops and Soils magazine will have more details in the next issue due out in November.

Amy Asmus received the gavel from Paul Tracy as the incoming Board Chair and Russell Duncan was recognized for his years of service to the program.

The Board members also toured local ag production and research sites including hopps and alfalfa seed.

Social Media

The latest issue of Crops and Soils Magazine features an article on social media.  It’s a good read on the subject and how social media is being used by those in the agriculturally related professions.  You can read the full article here: 

https://www.agronomy.org/publications/crops-and-soils

It also reinforces why we started the CCA blog and hope to expand into other social media outlets.  But at the same time I’m questioning how much more media do CCAs want and need?

What’s your opinion?

US Farm Bill update

House Set to Consider Disaster Aid Bill

Tomorrow the House is expected to vote on a disaster aid package to provide relief for farmers and ranchers suffering from drought. The $383 million package would extend certain livestock and forage programs that have expired in the current farm bill and provide some assistance for specialty crops. The disaster relief programs will be extended for one year.

The package will be paid for by cutting conservation programs by capping the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).

Earlier in the week, House leadership had hoped to provide disaster relief and extend the current farm bill for one year. However, this move was roundly criticized by farm and conservation groups, and lacked support from Democrats. Lacking the votes to pass a one year extension of the farm bill, leadership abandon the effort last night.

Although the House Agriculture Committee approved a bipartisan 2012 Farm Bill by a 35 to 11 vote, it does not appear that the full House will debate and pass a bill prior to the November elections. It is increasingly likely that Congress will have to approve a short-term extension of the current farm bill in September and attempt to pass a five-year bill during the lame duck session.

Provided by Karl Anderson, ASA Director of Science Policy

What are your thoughts on the US Farm Bill?  How does it impact you in your work serving farmers?

Branding

I was reading an article and they quoted a crop consultant but they didn’t mention whether or not the person was a CCA or CPAg.  I looked him up and he was not certified.  In this case it was appropriate not to list it but I have also done the same thing and found out the person was a CCA or CPAg but never mentioned it.

We are continually working on increasing the awareness of the CCA and CPAg programs.  One of the best ways to do that is if everyone who is one would always have the initials after their name.  It should be part of your signature.  It reinforces the brand and it can open the door to a conversation to explain what it is to someone who may not know.  You are the best representative for your profession.  The value you place on it will be the value others place on it.  No more, no less.  And if you don’t care, don’t expect your customers to.  So if you don’t already, add the CCA or CPAg title after your name on all of your correspondence and by all means, if you are quoted in an article, tell them that you are certified and it should be part of your description.  Be proud of it!  You had to earn it and not everyone does.

Managing through the Drought

Hot, dry conditions have significantly impacted crops across wide areas of the U.S. in 2012.  While some areas have received rain, many are experiencing conditions not seen for many years.

The American Society of Agronomy (ASA) is sponsoring a webinar for Certified Crop Advisers (CCA), Certified Professional Agronomists (CPAg), ASA Members, and the broader agricultural community on Wednesday, July 11, 2012.  A panel of experts will discuss how to assess crops and their condition, management recommendations for various situations, and advice regarding managing risk, insurance, and other drought-related topics.  A question and answer session will follow the panel discussion.

ASA is offering the seminar as a service to its members and certified professionals.  There is no charge for the webinar, but pre-registration is required.  Once registered, the webinar system will send participants a confirmation email with instructions about how to connect.  CCAs and CPAgs will be receiving a direct email announcement with details on how to register.

Details:  Wednesday July 11, 2012, 12 Noon to 1:30 pm. Central Time Cost: No Charge

Format:  Webinar Panel Discussion using GoToMeeting software

1.5 CEUs in Crop Management for CCAs and CPAgs

How are conditions in your area?

 

US Farm Bill

Our US Farm Bill post was written by Karl Anderson who is based in our DC office of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America.  Karl will keep posting farm bill updates as the bill progresses through Congress.  Your thoughts/comments as a CCA or CPAg are very important.  We’d be interested in hearing what you think and how the farm bill may or may not impact what you do as a CCA or CPAg.

US Farm Bill

Last week, the U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 (S. 3240), a move applauded by the American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA). The legislation sets farm policy, including important research and conservation programs, for the next five years. The bill cuts over $23 billion from farm programs by streamlining and consolidating programs and eliminates direct payments to farmers by shifting to an insurance-based safety net..

Conservation programs were cut by $6.5 billion and consolidated from a total of 23 programs to 13, while still maintaining key conservation functions. The Conservation Reserve Program acreage cap was reduced from 32 million acres to 25 million acres.

Over seventy amendments were considered during three days of debate. An amendment that would have prohibited aerial inspections of CAFOs by the Environmental Protection Agency failed. In a surprise move, the Senate narrowly approved an amendment linking conservation compliance measures to crop insurance.

The House Agriculture Committee is expected to consider it’s version of the 2012 Farm Bill on July 11^th after the House returns from the Fourth of July recess. However, with so little time left, it is uncertain if Congress can complete work on the 2012 Farm Bill before the current bill expires on September 30^th.

We’ll keep you posted as this is an ever evolving process.

How does the US Farm Bill impact you as a CCA or CPAg?  What do you think the ICCA Program should focus on as it relates to the Farm Bill?