Blogs by Andrew Westlake
May 18, 2026
Data Centers on Land: How Will Appraisers Adapt to AI?
AI is reshaping agricultural appraisal, from data centers converting farmland to AI tools transforming how appraisers work. Learn how credentialed appraisers stay essential in the age of artificial intelligence.
April 23, 2026
Sales Comparison Approach to Farmland Appraisal: Why Market Evidence Matters
Learn how the sales comparison approach uses real market transactions, comparable sales, and adjustment factors to estimate farmland value in Iowa and the Midwest.
March 2, 2026
The Cost Approach: What Investment Tells Us About Land Value
Learn how the cost approach helps determine farmland value by analyzing land improvements, replacement costs, and investment decisions. Understand when this valuation method matters most in agricultural appraisal.
December 9, 2025
The Income Approach: What Earnings Tell Us About Land Value
See how income, expenses, and risk shape farmland value. Learn how the income approach works, why earnings matter, and what buyers watch when evaluating land.
August 6, 2025
Addressing the Challenges of Dislocated Corporate Real Estate
When corporations decide to dispose of real estate outside of core urban markets, they often encounter a unique and complex set of challenges.
July 17, 2025
Specialized Asset Considerations: Fundamental Principles of Agribusiness Valuation
While farmland value is primarily driven by land quality, water rights, and production potential, agribusiness assets are valued based on operational efficiency and EBITDA performance, with technology, processing capacity, and supply chain management playing key roles.
June 25, 2025
Why the Whole Farm May Be Worth Less Than the Parts
In farm and rural real estate appraisal, it is essential to understand that the aggregated value of a property is not always equal to the disaggregated value of its parts.
April 24, 2025
Michigan’s Agricultural Diversity
Michigan stands as one of the most agriculturally diverse states in the U.S., producing over 300 different commodities. This diversity is second only to California, thanks to Michigan’s unique combination of fertile soil, ample rainfall, and varied microclimates.
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November 25, 2024
Rooted in an ARA Designation
Growing up on my family’s dairy farm in the picturesque hills of Northeast Iowa, I always felt a deep sense of peace walking along the pastures and field driveways. Even though I didn’t know where those walks might lead, there was something grounding about them. Today, I find that same sense of stability when I talk with landowners about their family farms or recent land investments. After 12 years in the appraisal field, I’m honored to hold the ARA designation, which has been both humbling and grounding in my career.
April 18, 2023
Livestock, Laws, and Influences on Land Use
What is valuable to one buyer, may not be to another. And what happens next to your property may influence the...
September 19, 2022
Land Mix: The Appraiser's Puzzle
A 10-piece puzzle is simple to look at and complete, whereas you look at 1,000 piece puzzle and you wonder, where...
April 29, 2022
Seasons of Farmland Ownership When You Need an Appraiser
Spring planting season is here in the Midwest. This is a time of renewed spirit amongst farmers, seeking new...
August 26, 2021
Buildings on Land - Do They Contribute Value?
Buildings, sometimes referred to as ‘improvements’ in an appraisal, provide shelter and storage for...
January 27, 2015
Winning Team: A Look Back and What's Ahead for Peoples Company's Recruiting, Acquisitions in 201
As we closed out the books for 2014, I found myself reflecting on Peoples Company’s successes, challenges and...
