Foundations of Applied Agronomy | American Society of Agronomy
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Foundations of Applied Agronomy

A self-paced, online agronomy training program

The Foundations of Applied Agronomy training program is a set of online courses developed by the American Society of Agronomy to prepare learners for the International Certified Crop Adviser (ICCA) Exam and to build the expertise in production agriculture, consulting, business, and conservation. Strengthen your skills and advance your career with the Foundations of Applied Agronomy program.

Four sections: each containing five modules

The series includes four sections each with five modules that align with the ICCA Performance Objectives: 

  • Nutrient Management
  • Soil & Water Management
  • Pest Management
  • Crop Management

The content is accessed online through the Online Classroom. The interactive slides contain graphics, video inserts, animations, and quizzes to validate learning progress.

  • Basic concepts of plant nutrition and soil fertility
  • Soil testing and plant tissue analysis, Nutrient diagnostics
  • Nutrient sources, placement, and timing
  • Soil pH and liming
  • Nutrient management planning

  • Basic soil properties
  • Site characterization
  • Residue and tillage management, Soil erosion
  • Restrictive soil layers, Soil management effects on air quality, Water Quality
  • Soil–plant and water relations, Water and solute movement, Irrigation and drainage

  • Basic concepts of pest management
  • Pest identification
  • Sampling and monitoring, Decision-making guidelines
  • Pest management strategies
  • Environmental stewardship, Health and safety

  • Cropping systems, Hybrid/variety selection
  • Crop establishment
  • Crop growth, development, and diagnostics
  • Applied information technologies, Crop harvest and storage
  • Crop production economics

Certified professionals can utilize the Foundations of Applied Agronomy program as a resource for comprehensive review. Maintain a comprehensive understanding of nutrient characteristics, soil health, resource conservation, irrigation and drainage, water quality, soil and tissue analysis / interpretation, fertilizers, pest identification and sampling, crop growth stages, soil pH and liming, timing of harvest, marketing and storage, and managing production risk. 

  • Each section is worth 5 continuing education units (CEUs) in the respective topic area.

Pricing: $150 per each section (i.e., Nutrient Management, Soil & Water Management, Pest Management, or Crop Management), or $475 for the full series (i.e., all four sections)

FAQ

You will have access for 180 days after you purchase the course or section.

While we hope that you will pass the international exam, if you fail, you can be provided 180 more days of access to the section(s) of the course originally purchased at no additional cost. Please contact us to gain access.

Team training opportunities

For convenience and cost saving, we offer professional-quality training experiences for your team from a trusted provider of online, agronomic education – the American Society of Agronomy.

Group pricing is available. Contact us to learn more about package options

Use our training program to ensure that your team members are providing growers with the highest-quality advice to maximize profits and optimize resources. The Foundations of Applied Agronomy series is available through a dynamic learning management system that allows you to customize your team's learning experience. 

Group packages can include:

  • Customized landing page or dashboard for your team
  • Manager access to evaluate learner progress
  • Discussion forum & message center
  • Monitored knowledge checks to assess comprehension and retention
  • Customized due dates to accommodate your team’s schedule
  • Virtual content facilitation and/or instruction 
Purchase the course

What to expect 

  • 4 topic sections
  • 5 modules per section
  • Knowledge checks
  • Slide animations
  • Module quizzes
  • 1-1.5 hours per module
  • 20-30 hours for the full series
  • Available by section or as full series

How to purchase

The Foundations of Applied Agronomy training program is fully virtual and accessed through the Online Classroom.

Use links below to purchase by individual section or full series. You will be prompted to log in or create a free account to begin the check-out process. 

Nutrient Management

Soil & Water Management

Pest Management

Crop Management

Full series (all sections)

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