A New Specialty Area for the Certification Program

What is the need for another area? Those that: – Are consultants – Conduct research – Teach – Those that consider themselves an “Agronomist” – Those that have the desire to be a CCA but do not feel like they are active as a CCA Those that: – Are consultants – Conduct research – Teach – Those that consider themselves an “Agronomist” – Those that have the desire to be a CCA but do not feel like they are active as a CCA

What would make this area different? Criteria – Minimum of a B.S. in Agronomy – Five years of field experience – Five references – Passing the Local and International CCA Exams Criteria – Minimum of a B.S. in Agronomy – Five years of field experience – Five references – Passing the Local and International CCA Exams

What would be required for CEUs? Professional meetings – Short courses – Meetings – Conferences Self-directed Study – Scientific Journals – Videos Professional meetings – Short courses – Meetings – Conferences Self-directed Study – Scientific Journals – Videos

What would be required for CEUs? Community Service – Elected to professional boards – Service to profession – Community service related to profession Author Education Materials – Scientific papers – Books – Popular articles – Preparing education materials Community Service – Elected to professional boards – Service to profession – Community service related to profession Author Education Materials – Scientific papers – Books – Popular articles – Preparing education materials

What are the benefits to the program? Recognizes CCAs that – Perform research – Teach (instruct classes that offer CEUs) – Consult (and have degree requirement) Should help with ANSI Certification (if we do it) Maintains integrity of current CCA program Offers a way to move within the program Continuing educational opportunities Recognizes CCAs that – Perform research – Teach (instruct classes that offer CEUs) – Consult (and have degree requirement) Should help with ANSI Certification (if we do it) Maintains integrity of current CCA program Offers a way to move within the program Continuing educational opportunities

How many CCAs could participate? Currently, over 75% of CCAs have a BS Degree More than ½ of them are in Agronomy Potentially, 5,000 to 6,000 CCAs qualify Currently, over 75% of CCAs have a BS Degree More than ½ of them are in Agronomy Potentially, 5,000 to 6,000 CCAs qualify

What are some of the negatives? To CCAs – Perceived as “no value” for any additional cost – Undermines the value of a “CCA” status – Creates more work for a local board – Does not adhere to why the CCA program was started To CCAs – Perceived as “no value” for any additional cost – Undermines the value of a “CCA” status – Creates more work for a local board – Does not adhere to why the CCA program was started

What about program management? Local boards One budget Criteria to be decided by ICCA Board Local boards One budget Criteria to be decided by ICCA Board "Progress always involves risks. You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first. “ Frederick B. Wilcox "Progress always involves risks. You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first. “ Frederick B. Wilcox

What would you call it? CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL AGRONOMIST

"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. “ Henry Ford "Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. “ Henry Ford "If a team is to reach its potential, each player must be willing to subordinate his personal goals to the good of the team." Bud Wilkinson "If a team is to reach its potential, each player must be willing to subordinate his personal goals to the good of the team." Bud Wilkinson "None of us is as smart as all of us. " Ken Blanchard "None of us is as smart as all of us. " Ken Blanchard