Choosing a Consultant

The agriculture industry is big business, an integral part of the world's economy. It is a complex production an marketing industry involving large investments and demanding decisions based on sound analysis.

The consulting agrologist is a professional qualified to offer advice and solutions for the problems of modern agri-business, both in Canada and overseas. The clients of CCAA members receive professional advice and service from experts who have demonstrated their professional competence academically and in the field. Superior performance is ensured through professional standards which are maintained by the CCAA.

The Certified Agricultural Consultant or Certified Agricultural Advisor is thoroughly familiar with specific areas of expertise relating to his or her particular field. When called on for assistance, the consultant applies years of experience, education and training, as well as analytical and diagnostic capabilities, to direct a client to the best possible solution for a given problem.

The services of a Certified Agricultural Consultant or Certified Agricultural Advisor can frequently complement the professional skills available to an organization from its full-time employees. Diverse, broad experience permits the consultant to zero in on specific problems quickly and objectively.

A Certified Agricultural Consultant or Certified Agricultural Advisor can play a number of roles for a client:

  • as an expert advisor in a technical area
  • as a process consultant to help facilitate organizational change
  • as a sounding board to management to help verify or challenge prior analysis
  • as a creative source when management faces difficult issues requiring fresh ideas to solve problems and develop effective strategies and action plans
  • as a researcher in providing technical or economic analysis
  • as a program evaluator to provide an independent assessment of existing programs
  • as an expert witness on agricultural land use issues at legal hearings or court proceedings


The consultant's expertise is available to small or large farms, other agri-business and financial organizations, as well as academic and government institutions. CCAA members offer a broad range of services in many areas including:

  • field crops, horticulture, livestock, soil, and water
  • reclamation, resource management and conservation
  • strategic business planning, management and program evaluation
  • food processing and food safety
  • feed manufacture and biomass utilization
  • economics and farm business management
  • land and building appraisals and assessments
  • feasibility studies, agricultural marketing, agricultural research and environmental assessments
  • human resource development and training
  • agricultural financial management and planning


Selecting a consultant is often a matter of balancing personal likes and dislikes with business needs. Generally speaking however, there are specific steps to follow when selecting a consultant:

  1. Develop a detailed description of the objectives and requirements of your project.
  2. Identify the scope of the project along with a list of key concerns, timelines and budget.
  3. Refer to the CCAA Online Membership Directory. Shortlist the firms that appear to match your needs.
  4. Contact each firm and ask for a detailed profile and list of references.
  5. Rank each respondent using criteria which you feel apply to your project.
  6. Shortlist no more than three firms and interview each one.
  7. During each interview, look for individuals who recognize you needs and demonstrate sound knowledge.
  8. Select the consultant you feel most comfortable with and establish a verbal agreement for service.
  9. Develop a written contract clearly outlining the terms and conditions of contract completion and payment arrangements. Ensure both parties sign the contract.