Allen Haynes

Treasurer

About…

Allen Haynes went to high school in Caruthers, California. By chance, he got enrolled into an agriculture class which sparked an interest in FFA and agriculture. Haynes worked for a small chemical dealership as a delivery driver and field checker. He received his PCA license in the early 80’s and his qualified applicators license in 1982. Haynes received his CCA license in 1983 and now works in management, with three branches and 15 salesmen in areas north of Fresno.

Q+A:

Why should producers work with CCA’s?

“The grower can be assured that person has made the extra effort to be tested on his or her knowledge base and subjects. The validation is the CCA certificate. That could differentiate that person from someone else who may be proficient also, but hasn’t made that extra effort.”

What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a CCA?

“I’m coming from industry- I work for a crop input business that sells to growers. The advantage of having a CCA is that it differentiates you from your competition. In CA it’s a certificate and not required by the state. If you’re able to get it, it differentiates you from the competition. It allows you to be considered as an expert in being able to recommend products, goods or services, mostly about crop nutrition or agronomy. California has a license- only a few states require a license to make and sell crop protection products. A Pest Control Adviser license is required to even make a recommendation to a grower. That PCA license doesn’t cover or recognize any training or continuing education from subjects for agronomy and crop fertility and nutrition. That’s where a CCA certificate come in. You want to be able to proficiently make that recommendation, give that advice that helps support the selling or recommendation of a product to help the grower. That certificate backs that up and ensures the grower that the person is coming from a background of knowledge.”