Foundations of Applied Agronomy

A self-paced, online agronomy training program

The Foundations of Applied Agronomy training program is a set of online courses developed by the American Society of Agronomy to prepare learners for the International Certified Crop Adviser (ICCA) Exam and to build the expertise of persons in production agriculture, consulting, business, and conservation. In-field practitioners will review the knowledge and skills that are most needed by a Certified Crop Adviser (CCA), while others will obtain a foundational understanding of topics relevant to the agricultural profession.

FOUR SECTIONS, EACH WITH FIVE MODULES

The series comprises four sections: Nutrient Management, Soil & Water Management, Pest Management, and Crop Management, each with five modules that align with the ICCA Performance Objectives. The content is all online and accessed through the Online Classroom. The interactive slides contain graphics, video inserts, animations, and quizzes to check learning progress. Watch a short video to preview the material.

• Nutrient Management Section: (1) Basic Concepts of Plant Nutrition and Soil Fertility; (2) Soil Testing, Plant Tissue Analysis, and Nutrient Diagnostics; (3) Nutrient Sources, Placement, and Timing; (4) Soil pH and Liming; and (5) Nutrient Management Planning
• Soil & Water Management Section: (1) Basic Soil Properties; (2) Site Characterization; (3) Residue and Tillage Management and Soil Erosion; (4) Restrictive Soil Layers, Soil Management Effects on Air Quality, and Water Quality; and (5) Soil-Plant and Water Relations, Water and Solute Movement, and Irrigation and Drainage
• Pest Management Section: (1) Basic Concepts of Pest Management; (2) Pest Identification; (3) Sampling and Monitoring and Decision-Making Guidelines; (4) Pest Management Strategies; and (5) Environmental Stewardship, Health and Safety
• Crop Management Section: (1) Cropping Systems and Hybrid / Variety Selection; (2) Crop Establishment; (3) Crop Growth, Development, and Diagnostics; (4) Applied Information Technologies, Crop Harvest and Storage; and (5) Crop Production Economics

The Foundations of Applied Agronomy program may also be used by certified professionals as a tool for comprehensive review. Brush up on your understanding of nutrient characteristics, soil health, resource conservation, irrigation and drainage, water quality, soil and tissue analysis / interpretation, fertilizers, pest identification and sampling, crop growth stages, soil pH and liming, timing of harvest, marketing and storage, and managing production risk. Each section is worth 5 continuing education units (CEUs) in the respective topic area.

Pricing: $200 per each section (i.e., Nutrient Management, Soil & Water Management, Pest Management, or Crop Management), or $675 for the full series (i.e., all four sections)

A TEAM TRAINING OPPORTUNITY

For a fraction of the cost of other sources, get a professional-quality training experience for your team from a trusted provider of online, agronomic education – the American Society of Agronomy.

Group pricing is available. Contact us to learn more about package options

Use our training program to ensure that your team members are providing growers with the highest-quality advice to maximize profits and optimize resources. The Foundations of Applied Agronomy series is available through a dynamic learning management system that allows you to customize your team's learning experience. 

Group packages can include:

• Customized landing page or dashboard for your team
• Manager access to evaluate learner progress
• Discussion forum & message center
• Monitored knowledge checks to assess comprehension and retention
• Customized due dates to accommodate your team’s schedule
• Virtual content facilitation and/or instruction