Retiring Board Member Joel Wiley Shares Insights
How has the work of CCAs changed over the years and what do you project for the future?
“It requires boots on the ground. You’ve got to get dirty, be aware of the environment you’re working in, and understand crop nutrition to help you move forward with the precision ag technology that we will gain. The most important part will be learning these and incorporating them into their decision making process.”
Joel Wiley has been a member of the WRCCA board for many years, so many that he can’t pinpoint just how long ago it was!
Wiley began his career in 1979 and worked for western farm service 10 years; first as clerk, then salesperson, and then branch manager. He then went to work for John Pryor company in 1989. The operation was purchased by Wilbur-Ellis in 2002 and he has continued to work there to this day. Wiley became a CCA in 1992 and later filled a void the WRCCA had with central coast participation on the board. Wiley worked with the late Allan Romander on different conventions and promoting the CCA program, and recently he has helped with credential reviews of CCA candidates. Wiley has been involved with the Regional Water Quality Control Board in the central coast, the technical advisory committee, and regulatory and compliance review.
“My involvement with the CCA board has allowed the board to be more understanding on what’s taking place on the central coast of California with regulatory compliance and with understanding that not every crop is the same and each has its issues.”
Wiley explained that, “In the last 5 years the importance of nutrient management planning to comply with new nitrogen usage and other regulatory issues has allowed the CCA to take a more upfront approach to dealing with regulatory compliance for their growers. There isn’t a solid place where a CCA is protected. When a CCA creates a nutrient management plan they aren’t the one doing the application. Working with a grower, they’ve assumed a great deal of responsibility on what takes place on the farm, which has always been a concern of mine. I helped work on the Central coast regional water quality control board indemnification clause that protects CCAs with their inputs. I’d say it’s one of my biggest achievements that now a CCA can be thoroughly involved on the farm without retribution and it will be adopted in April.”
Wiley shared some advice for those looking to start their journey as CCAs.
“Don’t stop learning, take advantage of the new technology and the precision agriculture we will be faced with in the next ten years. It is really important for them to get involved in the CCA program because it is their career. It maps out their future with where they are involved, to deal with regulations, and continue their education. The Continuing Education (CE) program has improved and now it is much easier for CCAs to obtain those CE hours.”