If you employ or know of a Certified Crop Advisor in Indiana who has provided superior service this year, nominate that person for the annual Indiana Certified Crop Adviser of the Year Award, but the deadline is Friday. Quentin Rund, Indiana CCA Program Administrator, told HAT it’s an important annual recognition.
“Our CCAs are our trusted advisors out there and we like to offer this award as a way of recognizing their effort over the years and throughout the year, so we’re working together with the Indiana Farm Bureau to offer this award. We’d like to offer this as a way to allow farmers or businesses to note the accomplishments of the CCAs that they work with and give them a chance to be recognized.”
The award recipient is recognized for helping their farmer clients achieve economic stability and environmental sustainability during a time when farmers are increasing their reliance on CCAs to help them navigate regulations and the many complex crop management options. The award winner will be announced in December during the annual CCA Conference on the 13th and 14th.
“As always we have concurrent tracts going, so if a CCA needs certified education units on nutrient management, pest management, crop management, soil and water management, they’re all available again this year,” he said. “We also have some specialty sessions on bee pollinator health and beneficial insects as well as taking a look at organic grain production and even working with some specialty crops such as hemp and malt barley.”
Online registration for the conference is open now.
The Indiana CCA of the Year will receive $1500 and three complimentary registrations to the Indiana CCA Conference will be awarded to the winning CCA’s employer, or the winning CCA if self-employed. The Indiana winner will automatically be submitted for the International CCA of the Year Award.
To be considered for the Indiana Certified Crop Adviser Award, a CCA must be certified in Indiana and nominated by a county Farm Bureau, by an active Farm Bureau member, or by the employer of the CCA who knows of the CCA’s qualifications.
Additionally, other agricultural groups may suggest nominations. These other agricultural groups should work with their county farm bureau on the nomination since the nomination form must be signed by the county Farm Bureau president.
Indiana Farm Bureau must receive the nomination by Friday November 18, 2016. If you have any questions, please contact Quentin Rund at 1-800-387-1283 or Justin Schneider 317-692-7835.
(Pictured: 2015 CCA of the Year, Kevin Adams with Board Chair, Jesse Grogan)