ISU Crop Adviser Institute provides top-notch on-line continuing education for ag professionals.

The Crop Adviser Institute (CAI) at Iowa State University is offering interactive continuing education modules for crop advisers certified through the American Society of Agronomy (ASA) and other professional organizations.

AMES, Iowa - The Crop Adviser Institute (CAI) at Iowa State University is offering interactive continuing education modules for crop advisers certified through the American Society of Agronomy (ASA) and other professional organizations.

"The mission of CAI is to provide computer-based, quality learning materials for certified crop advisers and agricultural professionals," said Ken Moore, Iowa State agronomy professor.

In 1993, the ASA created the certification program for Certified Crop Advisers (CCA). Since then more than 15,000 individuals have been certified. To maintain certification, crop advisers are required to earn 40 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) every two years.
Until recently, these CEUs were earned through a combination of workshops, field days and seminars. Faculty associated with the Brenton Center for Agricultural Instruction and Technology Transfer at Iowa State recognized the need for more flexibility in providing CEUs to professionals who want to maintain certification.

"The advantage of this program is the flexibility for the learner, who is able to complete the course on their schedule. We have effectively removed the time and location restrictions associated with most CEU courses," said Brent Brueland, CAI program coordinator.

The CAI program provides CEU course modules in several areas including crop management, nutrient management, integrated pest management and soil and water management. The information is delivered to participants via CD-Rom, available on-line at www.cai.iastate.edu.