For this member spotlight, we bring you Ronda Newgard, ARA. Ronda has been an ASFMRA member since 2015, and has served as chair of the Membership Committee for the Carolinas-Virginias Chapter since 2018. She currently works as an appraiser for Carolina Farm Credit.
When did you begin your career in ag and appraisal?Growing up on a poultry and cattle farm, I have always been around agriculture. However, when I started my appraisal career 20+ years ago, I appraised mainly residential properties. When I was offered a position as a staff appraiser at Carolina Farm Credit, I jumped at the chance to focus on more agriculture and specialized properties. Since I started at Carolina Farm Credit, I have attained my General Certification and my ARA designation.
What ag or appraisal issues are you most passionate about or interested in? Being raised on a farm, I know firsthand the hard work and commitment that goes into agriculture operations. I could be an appraiser anywhere but I chose to work for Carolina Farm Credit because my passion is to support farmers, families and rural communities.
Can you describe your experience as chair of the Membership Committee for the Carolinas-Virginias Chapter?
Our chapter has come a long way in the past few years and it's exciting to be a part of a growing group who have common interests in progressing our profession and focusing on ag properties. When I became the chair in 2018 we were in initial stages of changing bylaws and our Chapter name. At that time we had 33 members. We now have 45 members and continue to grow. I enjoy being one of the first chapter members to reach out and welcome our new members. It gives me the opportunity to find out more about each person and hopefully get them excited about being a Carolinas-Virginias member.
What else can you tell us about yourself?
I grew up in a rural part of central North Carolina and met my husband Keith, who is from southern California, about 23 years ago. We have done a lot of traveling and visited some great places; anywhere warm and sunny is my favorite. I also enjoy entertaining friends and family, cooking, gardening and attending sporting events. A definitely highlight was being at the game when the Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup.