A certified crop adviser works with farmers to help them plan and grow their fields to full advantage. Individuals with this level of certification are knowledgeable about soil, nutrients, water, crops, and pests. They use this information to advise farmers, and sometimes to work on their own farms. Once certified, at least in certain jurisdictions, a certified crop adviser follows a code of ethics that ensures that they put the farmers needs ahead of their own for the best possible outcomes on a farm.
There are many tasks that fall under the expertise of a certified crop adviser. He or she has a knowledge base of information regarding soil conditions, and how best to enhance them through crop rotation, fertilizers, and planting certain varieties of crops. A certified crop adviser knows how to test the soil to find out which nutrients are present and which need to be added to the soil.
Water is another important part of a certified crop adviser's job. This means that he or she understands the ways that water is utilized most efficiently to help crops grow in the best possible way. The amount of water used, irrigations systems, and flooding are all areas that a certified crop adviser has specialized knowledge in. He or she will advise a farmer on how they can use the available water to their advantage, in an attempt to save money and provide the crops with what they need to be healthy. If a flood occurs, a certified crop adviser can help advise a farmer on the best way to handle the situation.
It is the job of a certified crop adviser to understand which types of crops grow best in certain geographical locations. He or she helps a farmer decide the crops that the farm will grow to make the most money, as well as be beneficial to the soil. Pest management is also done in this job, by taking into account the varieties of pests in the area and finding ways to eradicate them or restore them to a balanced system.
The crop adviser also looks at issues with livestock, such as growing crops to feed them. If a farm has livestock, the adviser takes this information into account when advising the farmer on the most cost-efficient and environmentally friendly practices. In addition, there are many specialized subjects that a certified crop adviser can take classes in, from growing organic foods to creating natural wind barriers.