California Chapter - 2025 Fall Meeting

2025 California Chapter Fall Meeting

Join the California Chapter, ASFMRA for the 2025 Fall Meeting at the brand-new Ava Hotel in the heart of downtown Paso Robles. Located just off the square, this exciting new property offers a modern retreat for the Fall Meeting. The three-day event has a little bit of everything - from education to social events to the ever-popular Chapter Ag Tour. The Fall Meeting is an excellent opportunity to network with friends and colleagues, catch up on Chapter business, and take advantage of outstanding education opportunities! See the Schedule at a Glance below and read on for more detailed information…

Fall Meeting online registration has closed. For questions or information about registering for the meeting, please contact Suzie Roget at (209) 601-0830 or info@calasfmra.com.

2025_Fall_Meeting_Brochure.pdf

Schedule at a Glance:

Tuesday, October 7

Board of Directors Meetings

October 7 (8:00 am - 12:00 pm)

Both the Chapter Board of Directors and Foundation Board Meetings will be part of the morning schedule on October 7^th. All Chapter board members and committee chairs for 2024-25 and 2025-26 are encouraged to attend. These meetings will close out the current fiscal year and open the new year which begins on October 1^st.

Financial Modeling of Agricultural Investments

October 7 (9:00 am – 12:00 pm)

$149 Members / $199 Non-members

This in-person seminar is a presentation of the California Chapter, ASFMRA, led by the Farm Management and Ag Consulting Education Committee. It will offer a deep dive into cash flow modeling, different return measures, data sources, and real-world case studies. Attendees will come away with a detailed understanding of Net Present Value, Internal Rate of Return, and other return measurements along with data sources that can be used to populate financial models. Real world case studies will be completed as part of the seminar.  Attendees should bring their laptop with access to Microsoft Excel or a similar spreadsheet application. Throughout the seminar attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and deepen their understanding of financial modeling.

Presenters: Scott Bozzo, AFM / Jeff Hillberg, AFM / Ben Jertberg, AFM / Vincent Sorena

CE Credit: 3 hours pending with BREA and ASFMRA.

Required Equipment: Laptop with Excel or equivalent downloaded.

Ag Pros Learning Lab –

Trends®: A Mid-year Update & More

October 7^th (1:00 - 5:00 pm)

$149 Members / $199 Non-members

Don’t miss the Ag Pros Learning Lab - an education offering that includes separate presentations on topics related to the rural property profession. This Fall’s offering will provide a mid-year land values update to review what has transpired throughout the state since the release of the Chapter’s most current Trends® Report. The lab will also include a presentation on orchard removal cost in leasehold valuations utilizing a discounted cash flow and a presentation on a unique Conservation Easement Appraisal project. The lab is held in an interactive format with the opportunity for questions and discussions between presenters and attendees.

Presenters:

Janie Gatzman, ARA – Gatzman Appraisal

Allan Barros, ARA – Advanced Ag Realty & Appraisal

Matt Pennebaker, ARA – Advanced Ag Realty & Appraisal

JoAnn Wall, ARA – Above & Beyond Real Estate Services, Inc.

Todd Murphy, ARA, MAI – Central California Appraisals

CE Credit: 4 hours pending with BREA and ASFMRA

Welcome Reception

October 7 (5:30 – 7:00 pm)

Rooftop Courtyard / The Ava Hotel

$50 per Person

Join fellow Chapter members, colleagues, and friends as we gather for a Welcome Reception in the Rooftop Courtyard at The Ava Hotel on Tuesday evening. The Registration Fee includes a complimentary beverage ticket and delicious appetizers in this stunning outdoor setting.

YPN Networking Event

October 7 (7:00 pm - ?)

Esperanza on the Rooftop / The Ava Hotel

YPN Members (Chapter Members under age 40) are invited for an informal gathering following the Welcome Reception. Just a few steps from the reception venue is Esperanza, a vibrant destination featuring Baja-and Latin-inspired coastal fare, agave cocktails and golden hour vibes! Meet fellow Young Professionals Network members in what promises to be a fun social setting. No formal reservation required as this is a no host event.

Wednesday, October 8

Data Analytics for Appraisers

October 8 (8:00 am – 5:00 pm)

$279.00 Members* / $329 Non-Members

Dive into the world of data analysis with hands-on lessons in cleaning, visualizing, and making sense of real-world data. Material will focus on what is data analysis, acquiring data, basic cleaning of data, using charts and tools for visualization of data, and basic tools to turn data sets into information. Material will include step by step basics for the functions and methods presented. Examples will be focused around rural real estate and farm management case studies. Participants will complete the seminar with a basic understanding of data analysis, sources of quality public data and several techniques they can employ in practice. This is not a basic Excel class and an understanding of  Excel is required.

Instructor: Raymond Wagester, ARA

Required Equipment: Laptop with Excel downloaded.

Note: Member rate applies to all Farm Credit Employees. Please use Discount Code CACHAPTER when registering.

CE Credit: 8 hours with BREA and ASFMRA

Member Meeting / Installation & Awards Dinner

October 8 (6:00 – 10:00 pm)

$95 per Person

A lively evening of networking, socializing and recognition is in store as the California Chapter concludes its 2024-25 fiscal year! The event will be held in the beautiful Tablas Ballroom at The Ava Hotel and will feature a cocktail reception in the ballroom foyer, a delicious dinner, presentation of year-end awards and installation of officers. The evening will also include the Chapter’s annual Member Meeting and a live auction to benefit the Chapter Foundation. We invite you to join us in thanking Mike Ming, ARA, for his leadership this past year and welcoming Matt Pennebaker, ARA as incoming Chapter President.

Thursday, October 9

2054 Fall Ag Tour

October 9 (8:00 am – 4:30 pm)

$279 Members / $329 Non-members

The 2025 Fall Meeting Ag Tour will be a treat for attendees with pending tour stops to include Hearst Ranch; Stepladder Ranch and Creamery; Justin Wines Wisteria 5 storage and production facility; and Caelesta Wines, Vineyard and Truffière. The Ag Tour is always a popular event and sells out quickly. You are encouraged to register early! (As tour stops are presently being finalized, they are subject to change).

CE Credit: 7 hours pending with BREA & ASFMRA.

HOTEL INFORMATION:

The Ava Hotel

A Group Block has been reserved at The Ava Hotel which will serve as the headquarters hotel for the Fall Meeting. The group rate is $249 per night plus current taxes. The reservation cut-off date is Friday, September 12, 2025 or until the group block is filled, whichever comes first so book early! On-line Hotel Booking Link

Self Parking – No Charge

Valet Parking - $10 per vehicle per night

The Ava Hotel

944 Pine Street, Paso Robles, CA  93446

(805) 257-1000

Registration Information:

General Registration Fee: All meeting attendees will pay a general administrative fee along with their individual event fees. Members: $50; Non-members $75.

A Late Fee of $40 will apply to registrations received after 9/19/25.

*Member pricing includes ASFMRA, Friends of the Chapter and Spouses. Please use the discount code CACHAPTER when registering on-line if applicable.

Cancellation Policy:

Cancellations received more than 10 working days prior to the Fall Meeting will receive full refund, less a $45 administrative fee. Those received 5 - 10 working days prior will receive a full refund less $75.  Fees are forfeited if registrant cancels within 5 days of event or does not appear. Registrants may send someone to take their place, with notification to the California Chapter without penalty. Contact the Chapter Office at info@calasfmra.com or (209) 368-3672.