Professional background
Curtis (Curt) Bearden, MAI, is the President and Founder of AgValue Consulting and an agricultural valuation expert who has appraised specialized agricultural properties across the Southeastern United States since 1998.
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 Institute’s prestigious MAI designation, permanent licenses in most Southeastern states, and delving into the valuation of various agricultural and agribusiness projects, including poultry and hog farms, large farmland tracts, large permanent planting groves and 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 agricultural properties.
Notable projects
Throughout his career, Curt has been entrusted with valuing numerous highly specialized and large-scale 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 land investment group AcreTrader in 2022, the platform was widely used 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 expertise, dedication to accuracy, and commitment to advancing the industry’s standards.
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