Lowell Akers was born and raised on a farm and has spent the majority of his life working on and managing farm land and property, becoming a key advisor to farmers, and farm owners alike. He received both a Bachelor of Science (1956) and Master of Science (1960) degree in Agriculture from the University of Illinois, while also serving a four year term in the U.S. Air Force. Lowell taught Vocational Agriculture at Plymouth Community Consolidate Schools in Illinois, from 1956 to 1960 and also taught high school classes in Vocation Agriculture, adult agricultural classes and on-the-job veteran farm trainees.
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Has been a professional farm manager and rural appraiser since 1960, first as an employee of The National Bank and Trust Company of Sycamore, Illinois (18 years.), in his own business (4 years) and Northern Trust Agricultural Services which became Capital Agricultural Property Services, Inc. as an employee (12 years) and as an independent contractor in farm management and as a realtor (since January 1, 1995).
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Has appraised in excess of 550 farms totaling over 160,000 acres, primarily in the north 2/3rds of Illinois but including Iowa, Indiana, and Wisconsin.
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Taught a three-hour credit course per year in Agricultural Finance at Kishwaukee College, Malta, Illinois, between 1970 and 1975.
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Holds the Accredited Rural Appraiser (ARA) designation which is awarded by the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers to those members who have had years of experience, are technically trained, have passed a rigid examination and subscribe to a high code of ethics.
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Holds the Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) designation which is awarded by the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers to those members who have had years of experience, are technically trained, have passed a rigid examination and subscribe to a high code of ethics.
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Is current with the American Society of Farm and Rural Appraisers mandatory program continuing education program. The American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers conducts a mandatory education program.
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Holds Illinois Real Estate Managing Broker License and is an Illinois State Certified General Real Estate Appraiser. Continuing education requirements in each of these capacities are current.
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Is a member of the Illinois and National Association of Realtors, the DeKalb Area Association of Realtors, the Illinois Farm and Land Chapter of the Realtors Land Institute and the Realtors Land Institute that are affiliates of the Illinois and National Association of Realtors.
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Is a member in the Illinois Coalition of Appraisal Professionals, serving on its board and as reporting treasurer for its political action committee for a number of years
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Is a past president of the Illinois Farm and Land Chapter of the Realtors Land Institute?