Certified Crop Advisers and Certified Professional Agronomists are now specifically named as agricultural experts in a U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency Bulletin issued June 10.

This latest USDA-RMA manager's bulletin provides guidance to insurance providers regarding the standards and process by which they may make good farming practice (GFP) decisions and seek RMA review of such decisions. It also sets forth due process by which producers may appeal adverse good farming practice decisions made by insurance providers.

"Earlier RMA bulletins have stated that crop advisers are considered agricultural experts. We found the language raised as many questions as it answered on exactly who was included in this definition," said Luther Smith, Executive Director of the American Society of Agronomy Certification Programs. "The new language removes the lack of certainty and the possibility that a producer's claim could be disqualified by inadvertently working with a non-qualified adviser."

In filing an insurance claim for crop loss, producers must show they have worked with an approved professional (CCA, CPAg, etc.) who advised them during the growing season on good farming practices. If the grower has a familial or existing business relationship with their current agricultural expert, they must obtain an opinion from at least one other approved professional.

The American Society of Agronomy certifies over 13,800 Certified Crop Advisers (CCA) and 650 Certified Professional Agronomists (CPAg) in the United States and Canada. To meet the high standards required for certification, CCAs must have at least two years of documented crop advising experience with three customer references. They must pass two comprehensive exams, attend at least 40 hours of continuing education every two years, and sign and adhere to a code of ethics. CPAg requirements are similar but the experience required varies with the educational degree attained.

The complete 9-page USDA-RMA Bulletin #MGR-05-010 can be found at www.rma.usda.gov. The Certified Crop Adviser Program (CCA) and Certified Professional Agronomist (CPAg) are programs of the American Society of Agronomy located in Madison, Wis. Information on how to become certified and locating a professional in your area is available at www.agronomy.org or www.certifiedcropadviser.org.

The Certified Crop Adviser Program (CCA) is a certification program of the American Society of Agronomy. Over 13,800 crop advisers in the United States and Canada are certified as CCAs.

Date: 6/20/05

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