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Member Spotlight: Kim Larson

By ASFMRA Press posted 07-10-2020 12:49 PM

  

KimLarson_Headshot.jpgGet to know the South Dakota Chapter's Kim Larson! An ASFMRA member since 2014, Ms. Larson is a Certified Real Estate Appraiser at Farm Credit Services America in Pierre, South Dakota. Since becoming the Chapter's Membership Committee Chair in 2017, South Dakota's membership has grown by more than 17%.

When did you begin your career in agriculture? Why?

I grew up on a cow/calf & grain operation north of Kennebec and west of Lower Brule (South Dakota). So I’ve been involved in ag all my life.

How did you come to be involved in the ASFMRA and the South Dakota Chapter?

I have a BS in Computer Science from South Dakota State University and an MS in Educational Technology from DSU. I came to work for FCS America in 1997 and have been here ever since. I started working in customer service then moved to loan servicing and loan origination. When Jim Vietor (former ASFMRA member) was preparing for retirement, there was an opening in the appraisal department, and I applied and eventually ended up becoming a certified general appraiser.

I became a member of the ASFMRA because I wanted to meet appraisers outside of FCS America and make those important networking connections. I became the Membership Chair when asked by Terry Leibel and Paul Reisch. It gave me an opportunity to give back to the Chapter and get to know even more people within the Chapter.

Any additional ag-related hobbies?

I am also involved in FFA, 4-H and High School Rodeo. Currently, I am the SD 4-H Finals Rodeo Secretary. I have been a judge for the State FFA Parliamentary Procedure contest for several years.

Describe a few memorable or unique experiences in your life including a professional experience that was especially fulfilling / rewarding.

The Chapter Leaders Day meeting in Denver was a really great experience. It was a smaller gathering of people from several states. It was a great opportunity to network with other appraisers and learn about their territories and the way they do their work. It’s much easier to reach out and ask questions to someone you’ve met in person. These are some of the same reasons I enjoy the continuing education event each year in Chamberlain, S.D. It allows me to meet more local appraisers and get to know them better.

When I worked for the South Dakota Lottery, I was able to go to Gilroy, Calif., for a lottery ticket print and it just happened to be near the time of year when they held the Gilroy Garlic Festival and Harvest. The air smelled like garlic the whole time and it was very interesting to see them harvesting the garlic along the roads. That was my first exposure to non-grain crops and has always stuck with me. PS – I love Garlic!

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