More than 220 certified crop advisors gathered this week at the annual Ontario Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) meeting in London, Ont.
That's one third of the province's 660 CCAs, a number that's remained stable since 2019 with a few additions every year, says Ontario CCA executive director Susan Fitzgerald. In this interview with RealAgriculture's Bernard Tobin, Fitzgerald notes that overall, Canadian CCA numbers are rising, particularly in the Prairies where membership numbers have increased from 1,090 to 1,387 over the past five years.
The story is different in the U.S., however, where advisor numbers continue to decline. Two of the larger U.S. agriculture states have shown significant erosion — Iowa had 1,228 CCAs in 2019 and now has 1,048 advisors; Illinois has seen its numbers drop from 1,200 to 964 over the same 2019 - 2024 time period.
In the interview, Fitzgerald says U.S. CCA state boards typically have strong organizations and staff. She notes that the declines could be a reflection of consolidation in the industry, both at the farm and retail level.
Fitzgerald also touches on how the Ontario CCA designation adds value for employers and farmers; the challenging nature of CCA exams — only 52 per cent of applicants passed in 2024; recent international recognition for Ontario agronomists; and future strategies to add value for Ontario CCA members.
