BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Know an experienced Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) with a passion for soybean management? Nominate them for the annual Soybean Master Adviser award, presented by the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) checkoff program. The award is part of ISA’s effort to recognize CCAs for contributions to Illinois soybean production.
Any Illinois CCA whose certification is active and who is interested and involved in soybean management and works with farmers can be nominated. The award will be presented to the winning CCA at the ILSoyAdvisor Soybean Summit in Springfield, Feb. 5.
“CCAs are leaders in improving Illinois soybean production and trusted partners with farmers,” says Linda Kull, ISA director of ag innovations and tech transfer. “Our focus is to optimize technology adoption and farmer profitability. Working with CCAs to improve management practices across the state directly impacts farming so we want to recognize this partnership.”
ISA works with the Illinois CCA program to recruit CCAs to serve as CCA Soy Envoys. These experts contribute local, timely soybean management content to ILSoyAdvisor.com, ISA’s agronomic website. ISA also leads efforts to expand opportunities for CCAs to improve their soybean management skills to help them be the most knowledgeable CCAs in the U.S.
“This effort helps keep farmers engaged and focused on soybeans as more than a rotational crop,” says 2018 Soybean Master Adviser and past CCA Soy Envoy Stephanie Porter from Taylorville, Ill. “The CCA Soy Envoy program and Soybean Master Adviser award are great ways for CCAs to get involved, earn recognition and further develop their careers.”
This is the third year for the award. CCA Kris Ehlers with Ehler Bros. was the first recipient.
The nomination form is now available, and includes questions about the nominee’s CCA number, address and employer. It requests examples of nominee work and why the nominee deserves the award. Nominations will be reviewed by a panel of ISA board members, Illinois CCA board members and university professionals. Nominations are open until January 10. Visit www.ILSoyAdvisor.com to learn more and download the nomination form.
The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) represents more than 43,000 soybean farmers in Illinois through the state soybean checkoff and membership efforts. The checkoff funds market development, soybean production and profitability research, promotion, issues management and analysis, communications and education. Membership and advocacy efforts support Illinois soybean farmer interests in local areas, Springfield and Washington, D.C. ISA programs are designed to ensure Illinois soy is the highest quality, most dependable, sustainable and competitive in the global marketplace. For more information, visit the website www.ilsoy.org.
— Illinois Soybean Association
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