Crop Management Associations (CMAs)

Crop management associations (CMAs) are grassroots, nonprofit organizations run by member farmers. Their ultimate goal is to promote more economical, efficient, and environmentally sound crop production practices through best management practices and crop input efficiencies. To accomplish this, members generate funds through acreage fees and hire crop management scouts, technicians and consultants to provide a variety of services.

CMA farms are located in regions of Pennsylvania where many fields are subdivided into contour strips to control erosion. The average CMA producer has approximately 178 acres, divided into forty-eight fields, averaging 4 acres per field. The large number of small fields, lack of time to collect information on every field, and an abundance of animal manure make managing crops on these farms challenging.

Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences began partnering with CMAs in 1979 when the Centre County cooperative extension agent helped a handful of producers establish the first CMA. Today, Penn State faculty and staff are partnering with seven associations. These associations have a total of 250 members producing crops on approximately 40,000 acres.

Many CMA members use Penn State's Crop Management Database (CropMD) to track and assess management practices. The CropMD is a comprehensive computer-based system and is available through your local CMA or Jan Pruss in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences.

For more information contact a CMA that serves your area or Jan Pruss in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences.