ag-formation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 8, 2002

Crop Adviser Workshop Scheduled at Santee, SC

SANTEE---The Clemson Extension Service of Calhoun County and Clarendon County invite advisers and consultants who spend the majority of their time advising growers on agronomic practices to attend the SANTEE CERTIFIED CROP ADVISER WORKSHOP on November 20-22, 2002 at the Holiday Inn in Santee, SC at Exit 98 on I-95.

To be a Certified Crop Adviser, advisers and consultants must meet the requirements of the American Society of Agronomy’s Certified Crop Adviser Program, the largest certification program in agriculture with over 14,000 certified throughout the US and Canada. In order to be certified program participants must pass two comprehensive exams and have at least 2 years experience with at least a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture or 4 years experience with no degree. In addition, participants must document education and crop advising experience with transcripts and supporting references, sign and agree to uphold the CCA Code of Ethics after certification, earn 40 hours of continuing education (CEUs) every two years, and pay an annual maintenance fee.

Russell Duncan, Clarendon County Extension Agent, and Charles Davis, Calhoun County Extension Agent, have geared the workshop to the four areas of competency that a CCA must complete---Nutrient Management, Soil and Water Management, Integrated Pest Management, and Crop Management.

Duncan said, "Getting enough credits to remain certified is not always easy. We offer this three-day training session to give Certified Crop Advisers the opportunity to obtain many of the credits they need." Dr. Dan Smith, Director of Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service said, "This is one of the best services that Clemson Extension provides. It’s really important to offer continuing education to those who advise so that they can provide up-to-date, accurate information to their clients."

With the topics to be covered at the workshop, each participant should be able to acquire many of the credits needed in each of the 4 competency areas necessary to be certified for the year. Those topics include: Soil Salinity, Alkalinity, & Related Soil & Water Analyses; Conventional Wisdom About Soil Texture Versus Reality; Conservation Tillage Systems for Soybeans; Irrigation Systems & Ground Water Situation; The Master Variable; Organic Matter: Wishful Thinking; and CCA/Commercial Applicator Equivalency; No-Till Liming Practices; Vegetable Fertility Issues; Overview of the Turfgrass Industry in SC; Turfgrass Fertility Management; The Southern Region Pest Management Center: A Resource; Revisions In the SC Fertilizer Law; Tobacco Issues; Third Party Vendors and NRCS; Wildlife Food Plot Weed Control Research; Insect Identification; Pesticides - Changes In The Field; Tomato Spotted Wilt Update; and Peanut Production Potential for SC. There will be something for everyone each day.

Clemson Extension Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Pioneer Seed Co., and Monsanto Company will provide all instruction. Reciprocal CCA CEU credits will be available for North Carolina and Georgia Certified Crop Advisers. In addition, workshop sponsors have applied for pesticide applicator recertification credits from those states and South Carolina.

The registration fee for the entire three-day workshop which includes class material, speaker handouts, refreshment breaks, and lunch each day is $120 per person. A late fee of $25 will be charged for registrations after November 1, 2002.

Lodging ($49.95 for single or double occupancy) is available at the Holiday Inn, Exit 98 on I-95 at Santee, SC, by calling toll free 1-800-880-2121.

For more information about the CERTIFIED CROP ADVISER WORKSHOP, contact: Charles Davis, Calhoun County Clemson Extension Service, at 803-874-2354 cdvs@clemson.edu or Russell Duncan, Clarendon County Clemson Extension Service, at 803-435-8429 rdncn@clemson.edu.

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