Outstanding Achievements Honored at ASFMRA’s 2013 Annual Meeting

RENO, Nev. - Nov. 13, 2013 - PRLog -- The Professional Farm Manager of the Year Award was presented to Kenneth L. Schmitt, AFM of Farmers National Company in Jefferson, Iowa. This award recognizes farm managers whose dedication and commitment to agriculture have benefited their clients, the American consumer and our most precious commodity - the land. The award is sponsored by The American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA), AgProfessional Magazine and Syngenta. Ken Schmitt is an Accredited Farm Manager, and holds his Real Estate Broker and Crop Insurance licenses in Iowa. Ken has converted numerous farms to custom operations with an increase in net income of $100 to $200 per tillable acre over their previous lease types.  Ken’s has served as President of the Education Foundation Iowa Chapter ASFMRA, President of the Iowa Chapter ASFMRA, and has received the FNC Million Dollar Sales Club award seven years since 1989.

The 2013 Appraisal Professional of the Year was Steve Runyan, ARA.  This award honors an ASFMRA Accredited Member for outstanding experience and commitment to excellence within the agricultural appraisal profession, including their industry contributions.  Steve Runyan, ARA, FRICS, opened Runyan Appraisal Service in Bakersfield, California in 1991. He began his career as an appraiser with Bank of America, and also worked as a rancher and senior appraiser. He has shared his expertise to ASFMRA as an instructor and is a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser in California. Steve has served as president, treasurer, district vice president, and on many different committees in the ASFMRA at both the California Chapter and national officer levels.

The 2013 D. Howard Doane Award was presented to Gary Thien, AFM of Thien Farm Management, Inc. in Council Bluffs, IA. This award is held in great esteem in the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. It is given annually to an individual who has demonstrated qualities and outstanding contributions in the field of agriculture with emphasis on farm management and rural appraisal.Gary Thien AFM, ARA, started managing farms in western Iowa for the Council Bluffs Savings Bank. Gary spends part of his time in international consulting, analyzing farm investment opportunities around the world. Gary is a past President of the Iowa Chapter and served as the 2004 ASFMRA national president.

The recipient of the 2013 Carl F. Hertz Distinguished Service in Agriculture Award was Dr. William M. Edwards. This award is presented each year to an individual in appreciation for service to agriculture other than directly in the farm management and rural appraisal professions. Dr. Edwards is Professor of Economics and Extension Farm Management Specialist at Iowa State University. He teaches Farm Business Management and Risk Management in Agriculture.

The Early Career Award recognizes an outstanding early career member, someone who is making outstanding contributions to their local chapter, the ASFMRA and to their local communities during their first 10 years of ASFMRA membership. The recipient of the 2013 Early Career Award was Adam Thien, AFM.  In 2005 Adam began working for Thien Farm Management. Adam has been on the Government Relations Committee, has attended the Leadership Institute and, in 2013, he received the Iowa Chapter Early Career Award.

The Meritorious Service in Communication Award acknowledges an individual, company, or association involved in promoting understanding and goodwill between producers and consumers of agricultural products.  The 2013 recipient is Mr. Mike Walsten, Editor of LandOwner Newsletter.  Mike Walsten has covered major business trends in agriculture for more than 40 years. Mike is the Editor of LandOwner.  Mike and his wife Judy live in Cedar Falls, Iowa. They have two married children and four grandchildren.

The H. E. “Buck” Stalcup Excellence in Education Award is awarded to individuals who have contributed his or her knowledge and countless hours toward the advancement of the ASFMRA education program.  The 2013 Excellence in Education Awards went to Brent Stanger, ARA of Twin Falls, ID for appraisal education. The Management Education award was presented to Corey D. Prins, AFM of Marshall, MN and to the California Chapter, ASFMRA for their Accelerated Program with special recognition to Nat DiBuduo, AFM;  Dan Whisenhunt, AAC; and Suzie Roget. Brent Stanger, ARA, is a partner in LeMoyne Appraisal, LLC based in Twin Falls, Idaho. He is a Certified General Appraiser in the States of Idaho and Nevada and has been actively involved in the appraisal profession since 1992. Brent’s appraisal experience includes a wide array of property types in Idaho and Nevada. Brent has resided Twin Falls, Idaho with his wife and two children since 1992. Nat DiBuduo, AFM, is the President CEO of Allied Grape Growers, a winegrape grower’s winegrape marketing association representing near 600 members throughout California for over 50 years, producing over 275,000 tons annually. Nat and his wife, Marilyn have been married 40 years and have three children and their spouses’ and four grandchildren.  Suzie Roget is the Executive Director of the California Chapter, ASFMRA. Suzie is an independent contractor and has worked with many businesses and organizations over the years. She and her husband, Erik, an active member of ASFMRA, have two grown children and reside in Woodbridge, CA. Dan Whisenhunt, AAC is the President - International Division at Innovative Sales, a global agricultural marketer located in Modesto, California, and is responsible for over 50 million dollars in international sales annually.   He is the Co-Chair of the Farm Manager/Agricultural Consultant Education Committee, on the state level and is a member of the Management/Consulting Education Committee on the national level.  Dan has been married to Denise since 1989 and has two children.

The Gold Quill honor is awarded to the authors of the most outstanding article published in the Journal of ASFMRA. The ASFMRA Editorial Committee presented the 2013 Gold Quill Award to William M. Edwards and Chad E. Hart for their article entitled, "Sharing Financial Risk Through Flexible Farm Lease Agreements".

The 2013-2014 ASFMRA President, Jim Rickert, AFM, ARA noted “I am excited and proud to be a part of such a great organization. It was a great honor to recognize so many who have given so much to the Society and the professions we serve.”


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American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, headquartered in Denver, Colorado, is a non-profit organization of over 2,000 professionals who provide management, consultation and valuation services for rural and agricultural assets throughout the U.S., Mexico and Canada. ASFMRA members manage more than 25 million acres of farm and ranch land for absentee owners, banks and trusts.