A new five-year strategic plan was approved by the International Certified Crop Adviser (ICCA) Board during a meeting in Denver, CO August 19-21, 2025. The plan is the culmination of a six-month process that involved a task force composed of local CCA board members and administrators, the ICCA Executive Committee, and staff. The plan, which will commence in 2026, is intended to reflect the CCA program’s vision for how it will meet the challenges ahead and outlines how time, energy, and resources will be used. 

Green stem is a term that describes abnormal patterns of maturation in soybean, where the seeds and pods mature fully even though the stems stay green. A new diagnostic guide describes the symptoms of green stem, field conditions that may increase green stem risk, and management options for fields with widespread green stem occurrence.

Earn 1 CEU in Crop Management by reading the article and then taking the quiz.

A long-established potato pest-monitoring network in the Columbia Basin is providing historical data and in-the-field “truth-testing” for a new internet-based Potato Decision Aid System. These programs can inform efforts to establish and enhance pest monitoring networks in other crops. Earn 0.5 CEUs in Integrated Pest Management by reading the article and taking the quiz.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination on farms is increasingly in the news. These man-made chemicals, which have been in production since the 1940s, are now ubiquitous in our environment and linked to several human health risks. PFAS may be found at farms due to contaminated air, water, and soil amendments (like biosolids) and enter the food chain. Maine is one of the leaders in responding to PFAS contamination in agriculture. In this article, we provide background on the issue, describe Maine’s experience and response, highlight ongoing research in the state, and provide recommendations for advising farmers concerned about contamination. Earn 1 CEU in Soil & Water Management by reading this article and taking the quiz.