Brent Troyer, an FS crop specialist with North Wellington Co-operative Services here has successfully completed the requirements to hold credentials as a Certified Crop Specialist (CCS) in the FS System of member co-operatives.
The achievement is the next level up in Troyer’s extensive agricultural training. He already holds the designation of a certified crop advisor in Ontario.
The Certified Crop Specialist accreditation recognizes crop advisors for their production expertise, said Kelly Boyle, general manager of North Wellington Co-operative Services.
“These credentials prove a CCS’s ability to put his or her training to work in finding solutions that help producers optimize agronomic results, economic return, and environmental stewardship,” said Boyle.
To earn the original title of Certified Crop Specialist, Troyer was required to successfully complete a series of written and verbal exams designed to establish base standards of knowledge on the topics of nutrient management practices, integrated pest management, soil erosion and water quality. Among the skill sets assessed were technical knowledge; the ability to discover, identify, and analyze yield-limiting factors from a grower’s field records; identify common pest problems and recommend economic treatment measures; discuss and analyze the economic aspects of crop production; and understand the need-identification process.
North Wellington Co-operative Services Inc. is a farmer-owned co-operative that provides more than 4,000 members and rural customers with quality products and services in feed, agronomy, energy and retail consumer needs such as hardware, pet supplies, work wear and lawn and garden expertise at four locations in Harriston, Hanover, Mount Forest, and Durham.
North Wellington Co-op is a member-owner of Growmark, Inc. and markets products and services under the FS brand.
