Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers

ISPFMRA

Pre-Order our 2019 Land Values Report

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Orders are open for our biggest Illinois Land Values and Lease Trends Report ever! You’ll get region-by-region land sales history, an outlook on rental rates, an analysis of the effects of trade and tariffs, and more.

Each report is $15 if you order five or fewer. Order six or more copies and pay only $10 each (plus shipping). And finally, if you order a full case (30 copies), you’ll pay only $10 each and get discounted shipping.

Note that attendees of our Land Values Conference receive one complimentary copy of the report.

ISPFMRA to Offer Two Courses (Edit: CLOSED)

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NOTE: REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED.

 

The ISPFMRA, in conjunction with the Heartland Association of Realtors and the Illinois Chapter of the Realtors Institute, is offering two continuing education courses: Property Taxes in Illinois and Farm Brokerage/Farm Management. Each is a three-hour course elective to be offered on March 20 in Bloomington. Registration is $105 for ASFMRA/RLI members and $115 for non-members.

Registration for these activities is separate from and does not include registration for the Illinois Land Values Conference scheduled for March 21.

See more details, including lodging information, in this document.

Property Taxes in Illinois — 3-Hour Course, Elective, Course ID # FI 1103 (RLI Approval Code 2018-190)

Time: 9 a.m. – Noon (Registration 8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.)
Instructor: Norm Willoughby — License # 563-001630

DESCRIPTION: This course is an introduction to the basic principles and concepts of the Illinois property tax system. Property taxes in Illinois are the major source of revenues for local units of government, schools, and local taxing bodies and districts. Over the past 30 years, property taxes have become a major expense for property owners and can be an obstacle to ownership. The property tax system in Illinois is confusing, cumbersome and intimidating to most citizens. The purpose of this course is to give real estate agents a better understanding of the system and provide a simple approach to the basics of property taxes. The agent should then be able to better explain and provide information to their clients, when assisting them in a real estate transaction.

Farm Brokerage/Farm Management — 3-Hour Course, Elective, Course ID # FM 802 (RLI Approval Pending)
Time: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Instructor: Norm Willoughby — License # 563-001630

DESCRIPTION: This course is an introduction to the basic principles and concepts involved in farm brokerage and farm property management. The course will cover the issues of farm brokerage in listing and selling farm properties, including an open discussion of productivity, lease termination, government programs, recreational opportunities, tax issues, market trends and more. In addition, this course will provide a current discussion of market trends, types of farm leases, protection of the land owner’s assets and more. The purpose is to provide real estate licensees a better understanding of farm brokerage and farm management in an interactive format. Like other real estate niches, farm brokerage can be rewarding, but nuanced, and the licensee must have the expertise to best represent their clients.

2019 Illinois Land Values Conference

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Notice: Online registration is CLOSED, but you can register at the door Thursday morning.

Join us March 21 for our annual Land Values Conference in Bloomington! As always, we’ll have a summary of our latest Land Values and Lease Trends Report, and other helpful information.

Registration is $70 for ISPFMRA/RLI members and $85 for non-members. Everyone attending receives a copy of the 209 Illinois Land Values and Lease Trends Report. You can get more specifics about the location and download the registration PDF here.)

CE Credit Note: Attendance at the full program qualifies for 4 hours of ASFMRA CE and 4 hours of Appraisal CE for Illinoiis and Indiana for Thursday, March 21, 2019.

 

Agenda

David Widmar, The Farm Economy in 2019 – How We Got Here & What Lies Ahead
The session will review the U.S. agricultural economy and key trends to monitor in 2019. He will focus on the impacts and trends that relate to farmland values and returns.

David Widmar is an agricultural economist specializing in agricultural trends and the farm economy. Through his research, he supports agribusinesses and farmers in their strategic and planning efforts. His work has been featured in several agricultural media publications, university publications, webinars, and conferences. David’s current writings can be found at Agricultural Economic Insights, www.AgEconomists.com, where he contributes with co-founder Dr. Brent Gloy.

Brad Haight, Wind and Solar Lease Revenue Stream Analysis
A discussion regarding compensation elements and structures and revenue valuation analysis considering the property, lease, market, and project.

Brad Haight is the founder of LeaseGen, LLC which values wind and solar lease revenue streams for buyers and sellers of property where turbines or solar equipment are installed. LeaseGen also helps owners structure the economic provisions of their wind and solar leases,with a focus on long-term value creation.

Panel Discussion, Illinois Farmland Values and Lease Trends
A down-on-the-farm, localized look at what is driving farmland prices and rent rates from four ISPFMRA farm managers and appraisers representing different regions of the state along with one real estate professional specializing in timber and recreational properties.
Todd Slock, Compeer Financial, Region 2
Luke Worrell, AFM, ALC, Worrell Land Services, Region 7
Bruce Huber, AFM, ARA, First Illinois Ag Group, Region 6
Dale Kellermann, AFM, First Illinois Ag Group, Region 8
Joe Gizdic, Whitetail Properties Real Estate, LLC, Region 3

David Klein, AFM, ALC and Dr. Gary Schnitkey, Report Summary and Overview
A summary discussion of the overall 2019 Illinois Land Values and Lease Trends Report

Albert Wins “Workhorse Award”

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Workhorse Award

First MidAg Services’ Ross Albert, AFM, Bloomington office, looks on as Ernest Moody, AFM, ARA, AAC, reads the inscription on the “Workhorse Award” presented to him at the annual meeting of the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. The plaque reads “This Workhorse Award is presented to Ross Albert, AFM, for his continuing commitment to providing information to the public and promoting the mission of ISPFMRA through his leadership as Chair of the Public Relations Committee. Your work is truly appreciated. Presented February 7, 2019.” The leadership of the Chapter asked Moody, former PR Committee chair, to make the presentation on behalf of the entire membership. Moody cited Albert’s work at authoring and directing writers in a series of monthly columns that appear in Prairie Farmer magazine with the focus being on advice from and the advantages of seeking the counsel of professional farm managers and rural appraisers.

New ISPFMRA Leadership Team Takes Office

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2019 Leadership Team cymk

The new ISPFMRA leadership team was elected at the organization’s 91st Annual Meeting held February 7 in Decatur, IL.

Robert Woodrow, AFM, front, center, is elected as 2019 President of the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. Woodrow is a principal with Farmland Solutions, LLC, Sherman, IL. To his right is the organization’s Academic Vice President Dr. Maria Boerngen, Illinois State University, Normal, IL. To Woodrow’s left is newly-elected Vice President Timothy Harris, AFM, with Capital Agricultural Property Services, Princeton, IL. From left, standing, are: President-Elect Seth Baker, AFM, Field Level Agriculture, Inc., Mt. Zion, IL; Immediate Past President Daniel Legner, ARA, Compeer Financial, Princeton, IL., and; Secretary/Treasurer Gary Schnitkey, Ph.D., University of Illinois, Urbana, IL.

Employment – Farm Manager

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First Wealth Management is seeking a Farm Manager in our Soy Capital facility in Kankakee.  Visit www.firstmid.com/careers  to apply for the position.

GENERAL SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsible for farm management, rural land appraisals, and support functions for farm and trust services.  Also responsible for being a representative of the Bank and the department within the local agricultural business communities.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIMARY DUTIES:

  • Responsible for all aspects of farm management, decision making, technical analysis and planning.
  • Responsible for operations and recordkeeping, and tax information reporting for Wealth Management Customers.
  • Provides professional counseling and consulting to existing and future customers.
  • Represents buyers and/or seller in farmland real estate brokerage transactions.
  • Completes rural land appraisals, maintains comparable sales files, and provides professional testimony.
  • Administers trusts, estates, agency accounts and land trusts.
  • Provides technical, financial and business planning services to bank agricultural customers.
  • Responsible for marketing crop insurance to our existing bank agricultural customers as well as prospective bank agricultural customers.
  • Coordinates the cross-selling of other Bank services with officers in charge of trust, retail deposits, retail lending, commercial lending and cash management.
  • Participates as a member of various Trust/Farm committees as assigned.
  • Represent the Bank and provide leadership in key community activities and committees.  Participate in professional associations; attend conventions, conferences and seminars.
  • Completed required training associated with job function.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

  • Thorough knowledge of Company’s product and services.
  • High level of analytical skills to conduct farm account analysis and maintain account’s progress in consideration of market trends, interest rates, economic conditions and other factors.
  • Ability to effectively manage and supervise personnel.
  • High level of interpersonal skills to interact with customers and potential customers in a professional manner.
  • Adequate knowledge of both internal policies and procedures and the respective state and federal laws and regulations governing departmental functions to ensure performance of individual job duties within the proper control environment.

EDUCATION/TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Agriculture or a related field, practical knowledge of crop production and marketing and the equivalent of five plus years of experience in industry.
  • Illinois Real Estate Broker license (currently have or obtain).

This Job Description describes the general nature and level of work performed by the individual assigned to this position and should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It does not state or imply that these are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to the position. The employee may be required to perform other job-related duties. All requirements are subject to change and to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.

New Course: Appraising Unique & Atypical Properties

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This course is designed for appraisers who want to expand their skills to enable them to take on more difficult and complex assignments, and for those who want to learn new techniques for developing creative solutions to complex appraisal problems. This course will give the student a good understanding of various techniques that can be used in appraising unique and difficult properties – the “oddballs.”

When
February 6, 2019 (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
This course is scheduled the day before our annual meeting. Registration is separate from that meeting. You can register for the annual meeting separately here.

Where
Decatur Conference Center and Hotel
4191 US Highway 36 West
Decatur, IL 62522

Instructor: Doughlas Hodge, MAI, ARA

This course qualifies for 8 hours of continuing education for appraisers with the ASFMRA and 8 hours Appraisal CE for IL, IA, IN, KY, MI, MO and WI. (Download informational PDF.)

Registration Fees
Member: $225
Non-member: $260

Attendees must register in advance. No walk-ins will be accommodated. The deadline to register is January 28, 2019.

Register for Appraising Unique and Atypical Properties here.

Hotel Details
A block of rooms under “Illinois Society” is reserved for February 5-7 at the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel. The room rate is $102 + taxes. Please call the hotel at 217-422-8800 by January 6, 2019 to book your room at the discounted rate.

For More Information
Meeting: Carroll Merry | 262-253-6902 | ispfmra@countryside-marketing.com
Registration: Deanna Ilk | 303-692-1224 | dilk@asfmra.org

Two Courses Offered at Land Values Conference

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Join us for two courses we’re offering alongside the Land Values Conference in March. These courses are sponsored by the Illinois REALTORS® in conjunction with the Heartland Association of REALTORS®, the Illinois Chapter of the REALTORS® Institute, and the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.

Registration for these activities is separate from and DOES NOT include registration for the Illinois Land Values Conference. (You can register for the conference here.)

Property Taxes in Illinois — 3-Hour Course, Elective, Course ID # FI 1103 (RLI Approval Code 2018-190)
Time: 9 a.m. – Noon (Registration 8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.)
Instructor: Norm Willoughby — License # 563-001630

DESCRIPTION: This course is an introduction to the basic principles and concepts of the Illinois property tax system. Property taxes in Illinois are the major source of revenues for local units of government, schools, and local taxing bodies and districts. Over the past 30 years, property taxes have become a major expense for property owners and can be an obstacle to ownership. The property tax system in Illinois is confusing, cumbersome and intimidating to most citizens. The purpose of this course is to give real estate agents a better understanding of the system and provide a simple approach to the basics of property taxes. The agent should then be able to better explain and provide information to their clients, when assisting them in a real estate transaction.

Register for Property Taxes in Illinois here.

Brokerage/Farm Management — 3-Hour Course, Elective, Course ID # FM 802 (RLI Approval Pending)
Time: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Instructor: Norm Willoughby — License # 563-001630

DESCRIPTION: This course is an introduction to the basic principles and concepts involved in farm brokerage and farm property management. The course will cover the issues of farm brokerage in listing and selling farm properties, including an open discussion of productivity, lease termination, government programs, recreational opportunities, tax issues, market trends and more. In addition, this course will provide a current discussion of market trends, types of farm leases, protection of the land owner’s assets and more. The purpose is to provide real estate licensees a better understanding of farm brokerage and farm management in an interactive format. Like other real estate niches, farm brokerage can be rewarding, but nuanced, and the licensee must have the expertise to best represent their clients.

Register for Brokerage/Farm Management here.

Register Now! 2019 Land Values Conference

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8 a.m. – Noon, Thursday, March 21, 2019

DoubleTree by Hilton, Bloomington, IL

Register Here

David Widmar – The Farm Economy in 2019 – How We Got Here & What Lies Ahead

The session will review the U.S. agricultural economy and key trends to monitor in 2019. He will focus on the impacts and trends that relate to farmland values and returns.

David Widmar is an agricultural economist specializing in agricultural trends and the farm economy. Through his research, he supports agribusinesses and farmers in their strategic and planning efforts. His work has been featured in several agricultural media publications, university publications, webinars, and conferences. David’s current writings can be found at Agricultural Economic Insights, www.AgEconomists.com, where he contributes with co-founder Dr. Brent Gloy.

Brad Haight – Wind and Solar Lease Revenue Stream Analysis

A discussion regarding compensation elements and structures and revenue valuation analysis considering the property, lease, market, and project.

Brad Haight is the founder of LeaseGen, LLC which values wind and solar lease revenue streams for buyers and sellers of property where turbines or solar equipment are installed. LeaseGen also helps owners structure the economic provisions of their wind and solar leases,with a focus on long-term value creation.

Panel Discussion – Illinois Farmland Values and Lease Trends

A down-on-the-farm, localized look at what is driving farmland prices and rent rates from four ISPFMRA farm managers and appraisers representing different regions of the state.

Todd Slock, Compeer Financial, Region 2

Luke Worrell, AFM, ALC, Worrell Land Services, Region 7

Bruce Huber, AFM, ARA, First Illinois Ag Group, Region 6

Dale Kellermann, AFM, First Illinois Ag Group, Region 8

Joe Gizdic, Whitetail Properties Real Estate, LLC, Region 3

Report Summary and Overview
A summary discussion of the overall 2019 Illinois Land Values and Lease Trends Report

David Klein, AFM, ALC
Vice President, Managing Broker, and Agricultural Asset Manager, First Mid Ag Services

Dr. Gary Schnitkey —
Farm Management Specialist in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois

Plus — everyone attending receives a copy of the 2019 Illinois Land Values and Lease Trends Report.

Registration is OPEN NOW!!

$70 for ISPFMRA / RLI Members

$85 for non-members

Advance registration is recommended but not required. Register here.

A block of sleeping rooms has been set aside at the Doubletree by Hilton. Rates for the Land Values Conference is $120 per night. Reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly at 309-664-6446. The room block is in the name of Illinois Society of Farm Managers. Lodging reservations must be made by February 26, 2019.

CE Credit Note: Attendance at the full program qualifies for 4 hours of ASFMRA CE and 4 hours of Appraisal CE for Illinoiis and Indiana for Thursday, March 21, 2019.