Certified Crop Specialist Credentials Earned by Local Agribusiness Professionals

HARRISTON, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 23, 2014) - Luke Hartung, FS Crop Specialist with North Wellington Co-op in Harriston has successfully completed the requirements necessary to hold credentials as a Certified Crop Specialist (CCS) in the System of FS Co-operatives. This prestigious achievement is the next level up in Hartungs's extensive agricultural training along with his recent designation of a becoming a Certified Crop Advisor in Ontario.

The Certified Crop Specialist accreditation recognizes crop advisors for their production expertise, says Kelly Boyle, general manager of North Wellington Co-op. "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," explained Boyle.

To earn the original title of Certified Crop Specialist, Hartung was required to successfully complete a series of comprehensive 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 & garden expertise at four locations in Harriston, Durham, Hanover and Mount Forest. North Wellington Co-op is a member-owner of GROWMARK, Inc. and markets products and services under the FS brand.