Seth M. Baker, owner and founder, was raised on a grain farm outside of Mt. Pulaski in Logan County, Illinois. Seth spent his early years helping his dad and grandpa around the farm which raised corn, soybeans and seed corn. He also spent two summers in the seed research department for Bo-Jac Seed Company. This first-hand experience in agronomy, while still useful and valuable today, is the reason Seth chose to move to the economic side of agriculture. By combining a lifetime in agriculture with a passion for economics and investing, Seth is able to use his experience and passion to help farmland owners reach their goals.
In 1997, he received a B.S. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Illinois. Seth began his career in farm management in Paris, Illinois before joining Union Planters in the fall of 1998. Through mergers and names changes, Seth stayed with that same ag services group which is now known as First Illinois Ag Group.
Seth earned the designation of Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers in 2003. After completing 180 hours of classroom training and 2,000 hours of practical farmland appraisal experience, Seth became an Illinois State Certified General Appraiser in 2008. His most recent professional achievement is becoming a Real Estate Managing Broker in 2015, after spending 16 years as a Real Estate Broker.
Seth, his wife Marie, and six children reside in Mt. Zion, Illinois. Both Seth and Marie are active in the community and spend much of their free time with activities revolving around kids. Marie is a school social worker with the Mt. Zion School District.
Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
B.S., Ag Economics, 1997
Activities & Affiliations
Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers; 2020 President, Scholarship Committee Chairman
Mt. Zion CEO Program, Board Member
Illinois REALTORS Land Institute, Member
Illinois Coalition of Appraisers, Member
Decatur Leadership Institute, Alumni
Mt. Zion Youth Baseball and Softball, Member
Mt. Zion Police Pension Board Member