Blogs

Member Spotlight: Larissa C. Gordon, ARA

By ASFMRA Press posted 10-24-2023
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This latest ASFMRA Member Spotlight highlights Larissa C. Gordon, ARA, from the New Mexico Chapter. Larissa earned her Accredited Rural Appraiser designation this summer, and is currently working as a farm and ranch appraiser for Ag New Mexico Farm Credit Services, ACA. How did you get started in ag appraisal? I began my ag career as a Credit Analyst in 2014 within the Farm Credit System. It was an eye-opening experience that quickly made me realize how little about agriculture I actually knew. I seized the opportunity to learn from loan officers and the senior appraiser, taking in all I could and asking countless questions. The appraisal side really interested ...
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Member Spotlight: Andrew Rahn, ARA

By ASFMRA Press posted 06-20-2023
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This edition of the ASFMRA Member Spotlight will focus on Andy Rahn, the current President of the Montana Chapter of the ASFMRA, as well as the owner of Montana Land Source, based in Billings, Montana . How did you begin your career in agriculture? After getting my degree in Land Resource Science at Montana State University, I was hired by an ARA doing property research and GIS mapping. I helped develop a database of mapped listings and sales. Can you describe the work done by your company, Montana Land Source? My company maps and tracks all large-acreage land listings and sales across all of Montana, and makes that information available to subscribers. ...
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Member Spotlight: Richard (Dick) Isaacson, AFM, ARA

By ASFMRA Press posted 04-25-2023
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Meet the subject of our most recent Member Spotlight: Richard (Dick) Isaacson, AFM, ARA, a dedicated member of the Iowa Chapter of ASFMRA since 1976. Dick is the owner and founder of Growthland, a company with three offices across Iowa offering farm management, appraisal and brokerage services. How did you begin your career in agriculture? My career in agriculture really began as a youth growing up on a livestock farm in central Iowa. Our primary focus was dairy cows. The memories of cultivating corn with a four-row cultivator on an Allis Chalmers WD45 tractor remain, as well as milking cows on hot, humid summer days. After a rewarding involvement in 4-H, ...
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Member Spotlight: Jim Rothermich, MAI, ALC, ARA

By ASFMRA Press posted 03-28-2023
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This Member Spotlight focuses on Jim Rothermich, MAI, ALC, ARA, out of Des Moines, Iowa. Jim serves as the Vice President at Iowa Appraisal while running "the Land Talker" and "Land Talk Weekly," both popular sources of information for anyone seeking to keep up with the latest land price information in Iowa. How did you begin your career in agriculture? As a youth, I was involved with my families grain & livestock operation. After graduating from Mizzou in 1988, my plans to go back to the family farm operation changed due to the vast numbers of acres going into the Conservation Reserve Program, which took out a lot of tillable acres in the area. At ...
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Member Spotlight: Jake Miller, AFM

By ASFMRA Press posted 04-28-2022
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For this spotlight, we're sharing a recent "Member Focus" from the Iowa Chapter of the ASFMRA. Jake Miller, AFM, has been with the Society since 2019 and earned his Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) designation in 2021. He is currently working out of Cedar Falls, Iowa, for Hertz Farm Management Can you describe your experience and education related to the property professional field? I grew up in Nevada, IA where I was heavily involved in FFA and 4-H. Through the opportunities with family, friends, the community and great vocational ag instructors I became heavily interested in agriculture. I graduated from Iowa State University, majoring in Ag Systems Technology. ...
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Member Spotlight: Court Merrigan, AFM

By ASFMRA Press posted 03-14-2022
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Court Merrigan, AFM, is a member of both the Nebraska and Wyoming Chapters of the ASFMRA. He joined the ASFMRA in April of 2020 and recently earned his AFM designation in January, 2022. When did you begin working in agriculture? At birth. I’m old enough that when I was growing up on the farm when there were no pivots, there were open cab tractors and a lot of shoveling. I grew up on a farm in western Nebraska. I live in eastern Wyoming now, but I’m just 30 miles from the farm I grew up on, which is still in the family. We have some other land that I’m hoping to pass onto my kids -- they’ll be the 5th generation to own it. What ag issues are you passionate ...
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Member Spotlight: Rebecca Rutan, ARA

By ASFMRA Press posted 02-24-2022
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For this member spotlight, we bring you Rebecca Rutan, ARA. Rebecca has been an ASFMRA member since 2013, and recently finished up her term as the 2021-2022 President of the Idaho-Utah Chapter. She currently works as an appraiser for Northwest Farm Credit Services. When did you begin your career in ag appraisal? I began my career in agriculture appraisal in 2013, and became interested in the profession after taking a college course. I met Susan Robbins, ARA, while working for the Idaho Department of Lands and was able to make a transition to the Farm Credit system and began working on my state certification. My degree is in Range and Livestock Management. ...
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Member Spotlight: Dallas Mahoney, AFM

By ASFMRA Press posted 01-27-2022
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In this member spotlight, we're highlighting Dallas Mahoney, AFM, of Marshall, Minnesota. Dallas earned his Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) designation last year, and is currently working as a farm manager and licensed real estate salesperson for Northwestern Farm Management Co. When did you begin your career in agriculture? I began my career in agriculture after graduating from South Dakota State University in 2011. My first initial job was working as a Farm Bill specialist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service at the USDA. Growing up in rural Southwest Minnesota, agriculture is the backbone of our local economy and small communities. I knew from ...
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Member Spotlight: Megan Sheeley, ARA

By ASFMRA Press posted 12-06-2021
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Megan Sheeley, ARA, of Crown Appraisals in Fargo, North Dakota, is the focus of this Member Spotlight. Megan recently passed her examination to complete her Accredited Rural Appraiser designation, and currently serves as the Chair for the Membership Committee for ASFMRA National. She also serves locally as Chair of the Young Professionals Network Committee for the North Dakota Chapter. When did you begin your career as an appraiser? I began my career in ag appraisal in 2016. I grew up on a farm in southeast North Dakota and knew I wanted to pursue some kind of career in agriculture. I noticed how ag appraisers who had been in the industry for decades were ...
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Member Spotlight: Emily Oberbroeckling

By ASFMRA Press posted 08-26-2021
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For this member spotlight, we're sharing a highlight on Emily Oberbroeckling from the Iowa Chapter of the ASFMRA. Emily serves as a Chapter Director and head of the YPN Committee in Iowa. Describe your experience and education related to the property professional field. I graduated from University of Wisconsin- Platteville with a B.S. in Agricultural Business in 2009. I started my career as a lender at a community bank in Northeast Iowa. In 2012, a Real Estate and Chattel appraiser position opened with FCSA in Decorah, Iowa and I took the career leap into the appraisal world. I took appraisal classes through ASFMRA, Appraisal Institute and McKissock and received ...
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Member Spotlight: Jeral Gross

By ASFMRA Press posted 05-06-2021
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Here's another great Member Spotlight coming from the South Dakota Chapter, this time on Jeral Gross. Jeral is based out of Mitchell, South Dakota, and is focused on growing his appraisal practice, Appraisal Associates, Inc. Describe your experience and education related to the property professional field. I grew up on a family farm near Bridgewater, SD, where we raised corn, soybeans, and wheat. We also maintained a cow/calf operation. Through this experience, I knew I wanted to do something in agriculture. After graduating from Augustana College with a BA degree in Business Administration, I worked for two lending institutions: Community First (now Bank ...
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Member Spotlight: Ronda Newgard

By ASFMRA Press posted 03-28-2021
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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 ...
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Member Spotlight: Travis Shaykett

By ASFMRA Press posted 03-24-2021
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For this Member Spotlight, we're sharing a profile on Travis Shaykett, who serves as a Committee Chair for the South Dakota Chapter of the ASFMRA. Travis works as an appraiser for the family business, Shaykett Appraisal Company, and is based out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. When did you begin your career in agriculture? While agriculture has always been in my family, my career in ag began when I started my appraisal career in 2008. After college I started working in the family business which included appraising agricultural properties. Describe your experience and education related to the property professional field (appraisal, farm management, consulting, ...
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Member Spotlight: Henry Gordon

By ASFMRA Press posted 01-25-2021
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Henry Gordon, AFM, is a member of the Mid-South Chapter of the ASFMRA. He joined the ASFMRA in September of 2020 and earned his AFM designation not too long after that, in November. Henry works as the Vice President and Trust Real Estate Manager at First Horizon Bank in Memphis, Tennessee. When did you begin your career in agriculture? I began working for First Horizon Bank in their trust division. The bank felt I might be a good fit for managing trust real estate because of my background in forestry and the environment. Since I began working with farmland assets, I have found managing farm assets to be extremely engaging and enjoyable. What ag issues ...
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Member Spotlight: Melissa Halpin

By ASFMRA Press posted 12-30-2020
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For this spotlight, we're sharing a highlight of Melissa Halpin from the Illinois Chapter. Along with Elizabeth Heaton, Melissa will be leading the chapter's Young Professionals Network (YPN) through the coming year. Melissa has previous organizing experience with the ASFMRA, and she served as Chair of the Illinois Chapter Summer Tour in 2016. Background: I grew up on a registered Holstein dairy farm in Sheldon, Illinois – Iroquois County. I graduated with a bachelor’s in agriculture economics with a focus on farm and financial management from the University of Illinois. While at U of I was a member of the 4-H House sorority. Today I now reside with my two ...
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Member Spotlight: Joel Ambrose

By ASFMRA Press posted 12-21-2020
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For this entry, we're sharing a Member Spotlight from the ASFMRA's Iowa Chapter. Joel Ambrose joined the Society in 2014, and is currently pursuing his ARA while serving as a Chapter Director in Iowa. Can you describe your experience and education related to the land professional field? My experience in rural appraisal started back at Oklahoma State University. My senior year I took a farm appraisal class and I really enjoyed it. My first career move in the industry was with the Commissioners of the Land Office with the State of Oklahoma. The Commissioners of the Land Office is a state organization that manages the property that is owned by the state for the ...
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Member Spotlight: Tyler Walsh

By ASFMRA Press posted 12-03-2020
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For this Member Spotlight, we're highlighting Tyler Walsh, ARA, from Fargo, North Dakota. Tyler is a member of both the Minnesota and North Dakota Chapters of the ASFMRA, and currently works for Crown Appraisals, Inc. Tyler joined the ASFMRA in 2015, and we want to congratulate him on recently earning his ARA designation. How did you begin your career in ag appraisal? Growing up on a dairy farm in Minnesota, I've been surrounded by agriculture my whole life. However, my career in ag appraisal didn't start until I joined Crown Appraisals in 2015. In college, my original plan was to become an accountant for a public or private accounting firm, but I was led ...
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Member Spotlight: Chase Sullivan

By ASFMRA Press posted 10-13-2020
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For this Member Spotlight, we're highlighting Chase Sullivan, AFM. Chase is a member of the Indiana Chapter of the ASFMRA and currently works for Farmers National Company. We want to congratulate Chase for recently completing his Farm Manager accreditation alongside a number of his colleagues at Farmers National Company. When did you begin your career in agriculture? Why? I began my career in agriculture in 2013 upon graduating with a management degree from Purdue University. I grew up on a swine and grain farm in East Central Indiana, so my passion for the industry started at a very young age. I knew I wanted to stay involved throughout my lifetime as well. ...
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Member Spotlight: Barbara Hegerfeld

By ASFMRA Press posted 09-28-2020
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We're happy to feature Barbara Hegerfeld from the South Dakota Chapter of the ASFMRA for this Member Spotlight. Ms. Hegerfeld works as an appraiser for Rabo Agrifinance in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. When did you begin your career in agriculture? Why? Growing up in rural South Dakota, I’ve been surrounded by agriculture my entire life. Although a career in the ag field, let alone as an appraiser, was never something I really considered. I received two bachelor’s degrees in Marketing and Management at NSU, and an MBA from USF. I had big plans! Although, I wasn’t really sure what they were! While working at Daktronics as an International Sales and Marketing ...
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Member Spotlight: Chelsey Pizel

By ASFMRA Press posted 08-24-2020
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Get to know the Minnesota and North Dakota Chapters' Chelsey Pizel! A recent addition to the ASFMRA, Ms. Pizel joined the Society in January 2020 and currently works for Crown Appraisals in Fargo, North Dakota. Pictured: Chelsey Pizel with her fiance, Jason. When did you begin your career in agriculture? Why? As a child I spent a great deal of time on my grandpa's farm. I also spent many hours with my uncle - who is a Sales Agronomist and also farms - checking fields, conducting yield checks, and conversing with farmers. Agriculture has always been a significant part of my life so a career in this industry was an easy choice. I graduated from North Dakota ...
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