Curtis Bearden MAI

BIO

Curtis (Curt) Bearden, MAI, is a distinguished industry valuation expert with a career spanning over two decades. Since entering the field in 1998, Curt has established himself as a leading authority in agricultural valuation, specializing in a diverse range of properties across the Southeastern United States. 

Background and Education 

Curt’s journey into the world of valuation began with a solid foundation in education, earning his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from GBC and Liberty University, respectively. His early years in the industry were marked by a fruitful partnership with his father, Jerry H. Bearden, a seasoned poultry farmer turned poultry valuation specialist. Together, they built a reputable local appraisal firm with multiple offices and a team of skilled appraisers. 

Professional Journey 

In 2005, Curt embarked on a mission to expand and specialize the firm’s agricultural sector. This endeavor saw him obtaining the Appraisal Institutes prestigious MAI designation, permanent licenses in most Southeastern states, and delving into the valuation of various agricultural/agri-business projects, including poultry and hog farms, large farmland tracts, large permanent planting groves/orchards, and other agribusiness-related assets. 

In 2012, Curt’s expertise caught the attention of the national agricultural valuation and consulting team, AgVisory, where he made significant contributions. Subsequently, in 2013 Curtis established AgValue Consulting, further solidifying his position as a trusted expert in highly specialized ag-properties. 

Notable Projects 

Throughout his career, Curt has been entrusted with valuing numerous highly specialized and largescale agricultural properties, including Willoway Nurseries, a leading wholesale grower in the Midwest, a vertically integrated squab operation, one of only two in the U.S., Dyersburg Grain facilities, the largest grain storage facilities east of the Mississippi, food processing operations including Vidalia Onion facilities in Vidalia, GA, dairy operations such as the 25,000+ head Barrington Dairy, one of the Southeast’s largest, agricultural lime inventories, vertically integrated poultry operations, and more. 

One of his standout achievements includes the development and marketing of Ag-Valuation, a statistically based valuation software. Acquired by the esteemed land investment group, Acre Trader, in 2022, the platform was widely utilized within multiple Farm Credit organizations across the Southeastern United States. 

Continued Impact 

Curt’s dedication to the industry is evidenced by his consistent involvement in specialized agribusiness and mixed-use agricultural projects. His ongoing research and market studies within the agricultural sector continue to shape the industry, contributing valuable insights and expertise. 

Curtis (Curt) Bearden, MAI, stands as a standard of excellence in the field of agricultural valuation, recognized for his unparalleled expertise, dedication to accuracy, and commitment to advancing the industry’s standards.