How Do I Become a Certified Crop Adviser?

If you want to become a certified crop adviser, you need to obtain the experience and/or education required by the jurisdiction where you live or wish to work. A bachelor's degree in an agriculture-related field can help you gain certification, as can experience working on a farm as a crop adviser. In addition, a certification examination is often required, which tests you on subjects including nutrients, soil and water, and pests. Once you have gained your certification, you can begin applying to jobs in farming-related industries to become a certified crop adviser.

A bachelor's degree in agriculture can help you become a certified crop adviser faster than other routes. For example, in the U.S., you need two years of experience working in a crop advising capacity, in addition to a bachelor's degree, to become a certified crop adviser. If you do not hold a degree, you need four years of relevant experience as a crop adviser to become certified. These exact requirements differ depending on the jurisdiction where you live, so make sure that you check with your local government authority to find out what you need to do to become certified in your area.

No matter where you live, it is important to keep good records of the work that you do while gaining experience on a farm as a crop adviser. You need to have detailed descriptions of the type of work you do, such as using fertilizer, performing soil tests, or working with seeds. References are often a necessary part of the application process to become a certified crop adviser, so make sure that you keep the contact information of everyone that you work with. It might be helpful to get a letter of reference from the farm manager before you leave, in case it is difficult to find them in the future. A letter of reference should detail the work that you did on the farm, state the amount of time you worked, and include the signature of the farm manager.

Examinations are generally required to become a certified crop adviser, but the precise format of exams can vary. You should study the materials in advance before taking the examinations, and then fill out the paperwork that you need to become a certified crop adviser. After these steps are completed, you can begin to apply for jobs as a crop adviser in the agricultural industry.