MEMBERSHIP CLASSIFICATIONS

Membership classifications are defined by the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.

Classifications listed in the directory are:

ACCREDITED
person who has earned one or more of the titles, Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) Accredited Rural Appraiser (ARA), Real Property Review Appraiser (RPRA), or Accredited Agricultural Consultant (AAC)

PROFESSIONAL
person who, for a fee or salary manages or appraises rural properties that belong to others; has had at least three years experience; has passed examinations in designated courses and workshops; and has submitted to the Society the required management or appraisal reports

CANDIDATE
person who, for a fee or salary manages and/or appraises rural properties belonging to others but has not completed the required education and testing for Accreditation

ACADEMIC
person whose work is primarily educational, relating to farm management, rural appraisal, or consulting

ASSOCIATE
person who, for a fee or salary manages and/or appraises rural properties belonging to others but has not completed the required education and testing for Accreditation; persons can no longer join in this classification

AFFILIATE
person who does not meet the requirements of any other membership classification and who is not providing management, appraisal, or consulting services on rural properties

RETIRED
person who has been an accredited, professional, associate, or academic member for 10 years or more and who, for a fee or salary no longer manages or appraises rural property that belongs to others

HONORARY
person whose membership has been conferred by the board of directors

DUAL
individuals holding national membership in the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers and the American Society of Agricultural Consultants

FRIEND
person who has "Friend of the Chapter" status

ACCREDITED MEMBERS

The titles “AFM,” ”ARA,” ”RPRA,” and “AAC” are professional titles: “Accredited Farm Manager,” “Accredited Rural Appraiser,” “Real Property Review Appraiser,” “Accredited Agricultural Consultant”, respectively. All titles are marks of professional competence and achievement and are conferred by the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. The title “CAC,” “Certified Agricultural Consultant,” is conferred by the American Society of Agricultural Consultants

ACCREDITED FARM MANAGERS have

  • five or more years experience managing land for others for a fee or salary
  • submitted a management report demonstrating their ability to analyze management problems and perform management functions according to required standards
  • completed and passed the required management and ethics courses
  • passed an accrediting exam consisting of written, oral, and case study sections
  • continued to update their management ability by attending educational courses and seminars
  • a four year college degree or the equivalent.

ACCREDITED RURAL APPRAISERS have

  • five or more years experience appraising rural properties for a fee or salary for which written signed reports have been prepared
  • submitted a rural appraisal report to demonstrate their ability to conform to acceptable standards
  • completed and passed the required appraisal and ethics courses
  • passed an accrediting examination consisting of written, oral, and case study sections
  • continued to update their management ability by attending educational courses and seminars
  • a four year college degree or the equivalent.

REAL PROPERTY REVIEW APPRAISERS have

  • five years experience as an appraiser with one year of experience as a review appraiser
  • shown evidence of being “certified general real property appraiser”
  • completed and passed the required appraisal and ethics courses
  • passed an accrediting examination consisting of written, oral, and case study sections
  • continued to update their appraisal ability by attending educational courses and seminars
  • a four year college degree or the equivalent.

ACCREDITED AGRICULTURAL CONSULTANTS and
CERTIFIED AGRICULTURAL CONSULTANTS have

  • five years experience as an agricultural consultant
  • completed and passed the required consulting and ethics courses and an additional 60 hours of study related to their special field of consulting
  • submitted a report that demonstrates the ability of the applicant
  • passed an accrediting examination consisting of written, oral, and case study sections
  • continued to update their appraisal ability by attending educational courses and seminars
  • a four year college degree or the equivalent