
Listen to the audio version of this article (generated by A.I.)
Dear Crop Consultant,
One thing I have learned over the years working alongside crop consultants across California is this: The best consultants never treat continuing education like a box to check. They treat it like part of their business plan.
Why CEs Matter
CEs matter, not just because they are required to keep your license current, but because this industry never sits still. Products change. Research advances. Regulations evolve. The consultants who stay ahead are the ones who make education intentional and easy, instead of something they scramble to finish late in the year.
Every season, we hear the same comments: “I still need credits.” “Everything is booked.” “I have been too busy to think about it.” And honestly, that is understandable. You are in the field, meeting with growers, managing real problems and making decisions that matter. Education often slips down the list until it suddenly becomes urgent.
That is exactly why planning early is so important.
As the publisher of Progressive Crop Consultant magazine and host of the Crop Consultant Conference, I want to personally encourage you to make your CE plan now and make it simple. This conference was built specifically for crop consultants who want practical, relevant education without the hassle.

One Event, Real Benefits
For $350, you can attend the Crop Consultant Conference and take care of your education in one place, at one event, with content that actually applies to what you see in the field. One registration. One trip. No chasing credits. No juggling multiple meetings.
That price is intentional. We want education to be accessible and straightforward. We want consultants to feel good about investing in themselves without overthinking it. When you compare that cost to fuel, travel time or attending multiple smaller events throughout the year, this becomes one of the easiest professional decisions you can make.
More importantly, it saves you time.
Instead of piecing together credits from different events, you show up knowing your education is handled. You sit in sessions focused on real-world agronomy, current research, regulatory updates and issues that matter to California agriculture. You hear from people who understand your role and respect your time.
That peace of mind matters during a busy season.
Education also does more than keep you compliant. It strengthens your confidence. It sharpens your recommendations. It gives you current talking points when you are sitting across the table from a grower making important decisions. Staying educated directly impacts how you are perceived in the field.
Growers notice when their consultant is informed. They notice when recommendations are grounded in solid research and current insight. They notice when you can clearly explain changes, risks and opportunities. Education reinforces your credibility, and credibility builds long-term trust.
The Crop Consultant Conference is also about being in the room with peers who do what you do every day. There is real value in hearing what other consultants are seeing, what challenges they are facing and how they are adapting. Those conversations often end up being just as valuable as the sessions themselves.
At JCS Marketing, our goal has always been to make education useful and efficient. No filler sessions. No wasted time. Just solid content delivered by people who understand the industry and respect the realities of your schedule.
Waiting until later in the year almost always makes things harder. Registration fills up. Calendars tighten. Costs increase. Planning early gives you control. You lock it in, move on and focus on your work knowing your CE requirements are covered.
For $350, you are buying simplicity. You are buying convenience. You are buying confidence that your education is handled without stress. That is a small investment compared to the value of staying current and professional in a fast-moving industry.
Plan Now, Avoid the Scramble
My advice is simple: Do not make CEs harder than they need to be. Choose an option that respects your time, fits your budget and delivers real value. Make the plan now so you are not scrambling later.
We would love to have you join us at the Crop Consultant Conference this September. Secure your spot early, get your education lined up and give yourself one less thing to worry about as the season ramps up.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
Warm regards,
Jason Scott
















