Norbert K. Soltwedel, of Shumway, has been elected as president of the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers at the organization's Annual Meeting held in Decatur on Feb. 13.

Soltwedel, who retired from the Effingham office of the USDA's Farm Service Agency in 2008, is an independent fee appraiser. He holds his Real Property Review Appraiser designation from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.

Norbert L. Soltwedel (center) has been elected to serve as president of the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. Joining him on the top leadership team are (left) Richard H. Hiatt, Hiatt Enterprises, Pontiac, IL., as vice president, and (right) Randall S. Fransen, First National Bank of Dwight, as president-elect.

An Effingham native, Soltwedel received both his bachelor's degree in agriculture and his master's degree in agricultural economics from the University of Illinois. Prior to being elected ISPFMRA president, he had served as vice president and president-elect.

Moving up the chairs in the organization is Randall S. Fransen, of First National Bank in Dwight. He was vice president and now serves as president-elect. Elected to the vice president spot is Richard H. Hiatt, Hiatt Enterprises, Pontiac.

Soltwedel's first order of business was to reappoint U of I ag economist Gary Schnitkey as the ISPFMRA Secretary-Treasurer, and Phil Eberle as the Academic Vice President for the group.

The ISPFMRA is one of 37 chapters of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. The Chapter, founded in 1928, is the oldest and largest state organization of its kind in the United States. Members are professional persons devoted to the management and appraisal of rural property and agricultural consulting.

Source: ISPFMRA