The WRCCA program is excited to announce the winners of the Allan Romander Scholarship and Mentor Awards

The Allan Romander Scholarship and Mentor awards program honors the lifework of dedicated agriculturalist and instrumental leader, Allan Romander (1941-2019). Allan Romander was one of the first Certified Crop Advisers (CCAs) in California, and his passion for agriculture created a lasting impact on those around him. The current WRCCA leadership includes many who were recruited or mentored by Romander. Romander’s decades of leadership included serving as the North American CCA board chair in 2014 and serving as the California (now Western Region) Chair from 2008 to 2009. Romander’s efforts continued into his retirement as he could often be found at the WRCCA booth during trade shows. WRCCA is proud to honor Allan’s dedication to his field and carry on the legacy he built for the Certified Crop Adviser program.

Scholarship applicants were selected off of the following criteria: academics, leadership, awards, professional development and their pathway to becoming a CCA. We would like to congratulate the following individuals for receiving a scholarship.

Our winner from the Central Valley area is Anthony Venegas from Salinas, California. Anthony is currently attending Fresno State University, studying Plant Science – Crop Production. He plans to pursue a graduate degree in Plant Science and plans to take the PCA and CCA exams.

We would like to congratulate Bryant Doyle from the coast region. He is studying agricultural and environmental plant sciences at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and plans to join the produce industry on the Central Coast following graduation.

Erik Rodriguez is our recipient from the desert area. He is from Fresno, California and Blackfoot, Idaho. He attends Fresno State University, majoring in Plant Science. He plans to take the PCA and CCA exams and plans to travel to help farmers from various countries and regions, especially desert areas.

Mentor awards are granted to professors who teach agronomy related coursework. We would like to recognize the following individuals for receiving a mentor award.

Dr. Charlotte Decock is an assistant professor at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in the Natural Resources Management and Environmental Science Department. She plans to expand and adapt course materials for Soil Health and Plant Nutrition and Advanced Soil Fertility courses.

Dr. Candice Stafford-Banks is a faculty member at the Woodland Community College in the Agriculture department. She plans to develop a hybrid weed science class using a novel teaching modality that will enable me to reach students all over California will include recorded online lectures and the choice between an in person and online lab component.

The Western Region CCA program is committed to refining knowledge and skill of those making important decisions in the field. CCA’s work with producers to help make economically and environmentally sound decisions. This counsel is the result of the hours spent gaining knowledge and perspective through requirements to become a certified crop adviser. CCA’s play a vital role working with producers to ensure sustainability and long term success for agriculturalists.

Allan Romander

Anthony Venegas

Bryant Doyle

Erik Rodriguez

Dr. Charlotte Decock

Dr. Candice Stafford-Banks