How to Choose Your Crop Consultant
The grower should not end up being the teacher
| Ask for references. | |
| Invest the time to check them out. Is the firm reputable? Does the firm deliver what it promises? Is the information reliable? | |
| Do staff members belong to professional societies? | |
| - The National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants, the American Society of Agricultural Consultants, and do they belong to their local state associations? | |
| Are they active in their professional societies? | |
| Do they or have they served as officers? Are they on key committees? | |
| Do key staff members hold any certifications? | |
| - Certified Professional Agronomist, Certified Professional Crop Scientist, Certified Professional Crop Consultant-Independent, Certified Crop Advisor. | |
| Do staff members regularly attend scientific meetings? | |
| North Central Weed Science Society, North Central Entomology Meeting, American Plant Pathology, the Soil Fertility Workshop, and the American Society of Agronomy, etc. | |
| How long has the company been in business? | |
| Have the employees been with the company for more than 1 or 2 years? | |
| What is the company's training program? | |
| Be specific - previous years training program and what are the plans for future training programs? (Include scouts, staff, and managers) | |
| What are the programs offered? | |
| Do the company's programs/services meet your needs? | |
| Does the company have a research program to support it's recommendations? | |
| How is research conducted? (replicated, controlled, and randomized plots) | |
| Company ethics? | |
| Does the company receive compensation for recommending a product? Is there any incentive to find a problem? What is the relationship between products recommended and problems found? | |
| Company Philosophy? | |
| Does the company try to stay technically competent in the areas that it is offering advice and expertise to growers. |
AGRICULTURAL CROP CONSULTING | FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
C R O P P R O - T E C H
Prairie Crop Pro-Tech, 2975 110th St., Beaman, IA. 50609 Ph.(641)751-6072
Heartland Crop Pro-Tech, 2240 240th St., New Hampton, IA 50659 Ph.(641)394-4523