Agricultural News
Oklahoma Certified Crop Advisers Receive Recognition
Thu, 13 Dec 2012 12:22:51 CST
Rodney Wilson of Wheeler Brothers Grain Co., LLC, was honored as the 2012 Oklahoma Certified Crop Adviser of the Year at the Oklahoma Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) annual meeting held at Oklahoma State University Dec. 11. This award was based on 16 years of crop advising experience. Wilson was recognized as a certified crop adviser who delivers exceptional customer service, is highly innovative, has shown that he is a leader in his field, and has contributed substantially to the exchange of ideas and the transfer of agronomic knowledge within the agriculture industry.
Wilson consults for farmer-growers in the Thomas area. He scouts about 45,000 acres of wheat, 15,000 acres of canola, 15,000 acres of summer crops and 10,000 acres of improved grass. Wilson is instrumental in putting out nitrogen-rich strips for customers and was instrumental in starting grid sampling and verbal-rate-application of lime and fertilizer for Wheeler Brothers Grain Co. He also started their infrared photo imaging of crops.
Wilson is active in educating farmers on best management practices. He holds many grower meetings for his customers to educate them on new products that he feels will benefit them in their farming program, along with training for Wheeler Brothers Grain certified crop advisers and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry's continuing education program.
Wilson is a commercial pilot who volunteers many hours of time to the Angel Flight program taking people to hospitals for different treatments. He also does volunteer work at the Thomas annual fly-in and air show and is a guest speaker for students at Thomas-Fay schools.
The award was sponsored by Bayer CropScience, Helena Chemical Company, Monsanto, Oklahoma Genetics Inc., Oklahoma Soybean Board, Syngenta, Wheeler Brothers Grain Company and Winfield Solutions.
The Oklahoma Certified Crop Adviser program was formed in 1992 to validate the credentials of professional crop advisers by establishing standards for knowledge, experience, ethics and continuing education. To obtain this prestigious certification, an individual must pass both international and state CCA exams, work as a crop adviser and provide documentation of professional competence. As a CCA an individual must sign and agree to uphold the CCA Code of Ethics. This means always focusing on grower profitability while optimizing and protecting natural resources.
To maintain certification, an individual must earn 40 hours of approved continuing education units every two years. Topics include nutrient management, soil and water management, integrated pest management, crop management, and professional development. Research scientists at land grant universities provide much of this cutting-edge training.
Michael Marlow of Mason City, IA was recognized as a 20-year member of the Oklahoma CCA program. Oklahomans with 20 years of CCA membership are: Francis Beling of Edmond, Michael Johnson of Edmond, Pam Worrell of Eldorado, L. J. McCray of Manchester and Kim Metcalf of Nash.
Also recognized were those individuals achieving certification in 2012: Robert E. Dietrick of Tyrone, Robert Steven Anderson of Greenfield and Matthew Wayne Rieckhoff of Coweta.
The Certified Crop Adviser Program is administered by the American Society of Agronomy in Madison, WI. Since 1992, only 13,500 individuals in the US and Canada have earned and maintained their CCA designation. Oklahomans hold 88 of these certifications.
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