New England Regional In-Service Training

Success Story for the New England Regional In-Service Training for Agricultural Service Providers

Situation: Agricultural service providers are a key link to the farming community. They provide information and guidance on fertilizer and pesticide application on farms, guide farmer decision making on crop selection, rotation options, and harvest decisions. Their information fosters sound agricultural water quality management throughout New England. They also serve as technical service providers through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Agency. Today, virtually all agricultural service providers are certified through the American Society of Agronomy’s Certified Crop Advisors (CCA) program. It is a voluntary program providing a base level of standard through testing and raising that standard through continuing education. The CCA program began in 1993. The New England Regional Water Quality Program is a key sponsor of these trainings in the region, providing an opportunity for crop service providers to keep up to date with the latest regional soil and crop management research, be updated on changes with NRCS programs, and also to learn about crop management business and ethics issues.

farmers in trainingAction: The program consists of a two-day training where we cover issues related to nutrient management, soil and water quality issues, crop management and pest management. Program leaders come from Extension and Research staff across New England. Training held in the summer of 2004 was expanded to include a field training component, due to the success of this aspect, a field training component will be included in summer 2005 training in Connecticut.


Impacts – Outcomes:
1. To date, about 100 Certified Crop Advisors have participated in five training programs since 2000.
2. Program evaluations were conducted during the February 2004 training with Certified Crop Advisors. Program participants were asked whether or not they influenced on-farm management practices by making both nutrient and pesticide applications more accurate. The evaluations indicate the following impacts on agricultural practices as a result of training programs:
• Program participants have influenced manure application on at least 60,000 acres of farmland and 55,000 acres in soil fertility management.
• Program participants have worked with over 654 producers on issues related to soil fertility and 375 with respect to pest management issues to improve accuracy of fertility and pesticide applications
• Program participants indicated that they had saved growers money in their production costs based on what they had learned from the program. Responses ranged from savings of $12,500 to $500,000.

Contacts:
Dr. John Jemison
University of Maine
495 College Ave.
Orono, Maine 04473
Email: jjemison@umext.maine.edu
Phone: 207-581-2971

Program Partners:
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service