MACCA PROFILES

Richard Blessing specializes in hay and pasture production, corn production, small grains, soybeans and alfalfa production, and weed and pest best practices.  ***Richard Blessing became a Certified Crop Adviser in 1997 and has been in the industry for over 35 years. Richard attended the University of Tennessee and is employed by SS Bristol Cooperation. His areas of specialization include hay and pasture production, corn, small grains, soybeans and alfalfa productions. He also has experience in best practices for weed and pest management. Richard became a CCA to be able to offer certified professional advice to crop producers. The greatest benefit to him as a CCA is the information available through CEUs and provided by extension to help give sound advice to producers. Richard is certified by the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists, a Commercial Applicator and a member of the Tennessee Crop Production Association.

Bobby Clark specializes in nutrient management, waste management, composting, and slug management. ***Bobby Clark has been in the agronomy field for over 25 years. Bobby is currently working for Virginia Cooperative Extension and became a Certified Professional because he believes it is important for everyone who provides information and advice about crops to be as well trained as possible. He attended Virginia Polytechnic University and State University and North Carolina State University. Bobby’s areas of expertise are nutrient management, waste management, composting and slug management.

Tom Coleman specializes in agronomic field scouting and solutions. ***Tom Coleman is a graduate of the University of Delaware and has been in the industry for 38 years. Tom became a Certified Crop Adviser in 1995 in order to promote professional training and credentials in the agronomy industry. He is currently employed by Trap Woods, Inc. where he specializes in agronomic field scouting and solutions. Tom believes that this certification has allowed him access to more work opportunities and helped him to build a larger customer base on the Delmarva Peninsula.

Christopher L. Forth, specializes in Turfgrass (lawn, athletic field and other specialty turfgrass uses) and landscape plant nutrition, evaluation of soil/plant interface and interaction dynamics and plant health problem diagnosis.  ***Christopher graduated from Pennsylvania State University. He has been in the industry for 38 years and is currently employed at TruGreen.  He became a CCA as part of his efforts to extend his certifications and credentials to become a certified Virginia Nutrient Management Planner. When asked how becoming a CCA benefitted him, he replied “Those in search of someone to provide counsel and expertise in plant and soil sciences recognize that the certification program provides experts whose credentials have been reviewed and verified and who conduct themselves according to a code of ethics. This establishes an almost immediate level of trust and respect with those with whom I work”. Christopher became certified as a CPAg in 1986, and a CCA in 2013.

Joseph Hatton specializes in forest and grazing management, manure storage, handling and application, and crop production. ***Joseph Hatton became a Certified Crop Adviser in 1995 in order to increase his knowledge of crop management and soil fertility while networking with other professionals. Joseph attended West Virginia University and is currently employed by USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service. He also owns Hatton Farm where he raises beef and lamb and grows produce. Joseph has been in the industry for 23 years and specializes in forage and grazing management, manure storage, handling and application, and crop production. He says that the benefits of being a CCA are the advanced training sessions and the connections with other advisers. “The resources available through other CCA’s is very valuable to me as I work with producers,” says Joseph.

E.J. Hurd specializes in row crops.  ***E.J. Hurd has been in the crop production industry for 22 years. He is currently employed by Southern States Cooperative, Inc. and specializes in row crop management. E.J. became a Certified Crop Adviser in 1993 in order to expand his knowledge of crop production and integrated pest management to assist his growers in making better production decisions. He believes that becoming a CCA has greatly benefited the growers he works with and in his opinion that is the purpose of the program.

Paul Miles specializes in soil fertility, crop protection, and GPS integration.  *** Certified Crop Adviser Paul Miles has been in the crop and soil industry for 37 years. Paul became a CCA in 1995 and is currently employed by Southern States Cooperative, Inc. His areas of specialization include soil fertility, crop protection, and GPS integration. Paul decided to go through the certification process in order to gain more knowledge of this field and feels that the growers and colleges he works with respect his advice and opinions more since he became a CCA.

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