To learn more about the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, visit the National ASFMRA Website

Mission

The mission of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers is to represent professionals in financial analysis, valuation, and management of agricultural and rural resources.

The American Society will provide its members with the opportunity to:

  • Achieve the highest level of professional competency and ethics
  • Achieve financial success
  • Shape public policy affecting the agricultural and rural environment and the American Society professions

Objectives

The general objective of the American Society is to promote, without profit to itself, the professions of rural appraisal, real property review appraisal and farm management by holding meetings for the exchange of ideas, conducting schools and other devices for disseminating information, as well as administering an accrediting program for the recognition of the professional advancement of individual members, building and maintaining a code of business and professional ethics, and by other means approved by the Board of Directors.

The American Society may, in addition to its general objective:

  • Establish sound standards, principles, and procedures for farm management and rural appraisal
  • Maintain a high code of business and professional ethics
  • Provide meetings where appraisers and managers may learn from recognized authorities and each other
  • Conduct training and educational programs or seminars, workshops and schools in farm management, rural and review appraising, eminent domain and related areas.
  • Administer an Accrediting program for its members
  • Publish a professional Journal
  • Publish a newsletter
  • Publish a farm management manual, a rural appraisal manual, and other publications
  • Provide an awards program to recognize those in the profession and related areas for their accomplishments
  • Inspire public recognition of the profession
  • Constantly strive to improve the standards and quality of services offered by members.
  • Cooperate with, and support, all worthy agencies striving to improve American agriculture.

The ASFMRA provides members with the resources, information, and leadership that enable them to provide valuable services to the agricultural community.

The ASFMRA strives to:

  • Protect and promote the interest of members before government, regulatory bodies, and other organizations,
  • Enhance member opportunities for professional development and interaction with peers through meetings, publications, and educational offerings.
  • Improve ethics, standards, and quality of service offered by members,
  • Promote awareness and confidence in the integrity, objectivity, competence, and professionalism of the ASFMRA’s Accreditation program, and
  • Recruit and maintain a highly qualified, professional membership.

Membership Service Programs Include:

  • Meetings-Membership, Governance, Regional, and Chapter meetings
  • Publications-newsletters, Journal, Directory, Education Catalog, press releases, and collateral materials available to membership
  • Education and Continuing Education Programs-farm management, rural appraisal, consulting education, and on-line education offered through the ASFMRA
  • Accreditation Program-Provides professional accreditation program for farm managers (Accredited Farm Manager, AFM), rural appraisers (Accredited Rural Appraisers, ARA, and Real Property Review Appraisers, RPRA), and agricultural consultants (Accredited Agricultural Consultants, AAC).
  • Voice in government issues-Representative in Washington, DC

ASFMRA History

The American Society of Farm Managers was founded on January 14, 1929, by a core of dedicated farm managers from Illinois, Iowa and Missouri who felt that farm management professionalism was critical to the future of farming. In 1936, the organization was expanded to include appraisers who specialized in determining the value of farms and other rural properties. At that time, the name was changed to the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA).

The basic objective of the ASFMRA is to create and maintain a professionally trained group of farm managers, rural appraisers, review appraisers and accredited agricultural consultants capable of providing expert guidance and assistance to farmland owners, farmers, and other groups which have caretaking responsibilities for farm lands and rural properties. These caretakers include banks, insurance companies, attorneys, accountants, etc.

Farm managers are essential for obtaining, and expanding, all types of returns anticipated and/or expected from the ownership of land. These include financial returns generated annually from rent or crop and livestock production, as well as capital gains from the increasing value of the land. Farm management professionals’ help owners find farmland to buy, determine its value and manage the day-to-day operations of farm properties to maximize profitable returns.

A few of the services provided by the professional farm manager include selection of tenants, record keeping, marketing of crop/livestock, purchasing of seed, pesticides, fertilizer, etc., soil conservation, handling of funds, farm maintenance and others.

Rural appraisers, on the other hand, serve land owners and lenders in providing property valuations upon which lenders, farmers, and investors can base lending or investment decisions. They keep up with today’s ever-changing land values to provide expert estimates and analysis of the market value of improved or unimproved rural real estate.

The property’s appraised value is used for sale or purchase, estate or financial planning, lease and rental provisions, loan collateral, tax considerations, and many other applications. Description of the land and improvements, discussion of future use, estimated property value based on probable income, cost to duplicate, and comparison with recently sold properties is included in the information provided by a professional appraiser. Clients include such diverse groups as owners, operators, bankers, lawyers, governmental agencies, and insurance and mortgage companies.