Current issues in rural property and land management, appraisal, sales and purchase are up for discussion at the annual Soil Management and Land Valuation Conference, May 21 at Iowa State University.

Sponsored by the ISU College of Agriculture & Life Sciences and ISU Extension and Outreach, the Soil Management and Land Valuation Conference is intended for farm managers, rural appraisers, real estate brokers and other rural professionals interested in the land market in Iowa. The 2014 program, to be held at the Scheman Building on the Iowa State campus in Ames, is coordinated by the Iowa Chapter of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.

REGISTER NOW, GET DISCOUNT: Hot topics at the 2014 Land Valuation

The registration fee is $100 on or before May 7 and $110 after May 7. Complete conference information, including registration, agenda, location and contact information, is available online.

Longest running conference in the history of Iowa State
The Iowa Real Estate Commission has approved this conference for five hours of continuing education for renewal of a real estate and broker's license. This conference also has been approved for five hours of continuing education for Iowa Appraisal License renewal.

This is the longest running conference at Iowa State, said Jennifer Vit, who is with ISU Extension and Outreach Conference Planning and Management. It is designed for anyone who has an interest in agricultural land, land management and land valuation. The program is planned each year by an independent group.

Larry Trede, executive director of ASFMRA, and chair of the conference planning committee, says this year's conference "will focus on issues that are currently important to rural agricultural professionals."

Will examine current issues in rural property management
Leading experts will discuss five current issues and their implications to soil management and land valuation: the U.S. economy and its relationship to Iowa agriculture; weather and climate change and the impact upon agriculture; the use of unmanned aerial systems (drones) and how they can impact agriculture in Iowa; energy production, particularly hydraulic fracturing in oil production; and the impact of livestock production in Iowa and significant trends and changes occurring in the livestock industry and its relationship to Iowa agriculture and Iowa farmland.

The conference offers networking opportunities for professions who have an interest in agricultural land, land management, and land valuation. "Additionally," says Vit, "participants have an opportunity to take part in the annual conference survey and will be asked to provide their estimates of future land values in Iowa and their prediction for corn and soybean prices in the year ahead. Attend and see what your friends and colleagues are thinking about the future value of Iowa farmland."