DENVER - June 12, 2007 - Geoffrey S. Oliver, OST - Office of Appraisal Services, Rapid City, S.D., has been awarded the Accredited Rural Appraiser designation from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.

Oliver earned his ARA designation by meeting stringent requirements in experience and education, in addition to passing rigorous oral and written examinations and abiding by the American Society's Code of Ethics. He joins a select 27 percent of the ASFMRA membership who have received, and currently maintain through continuing education, the accredited status.  He has worked as a real estate appraiser with the U.S. Department of Interior since 1991 and has been with the Interior's Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians in Rapid City since 2004. Oliver is the OST-Great Plains regional appraiser and is one of seven appraisers in South Dakota who currently hold the ARA designation.

"We are pleased with Oliver's commitment to professional excellence, and his dedication to providing superior rural appraisal services," stated Ray Brownfield, AFM, ARA, the American Society's national president from Illinois. "By receiving this designation, clients, associates and other individuals in the industry can more easily recognize Oliver's personal investment in his career and a dedication to maintaining an exceptional degree of knowledge and skill."

Accredited rural appraisers understand the changing face of the appraisal industry and can ensure that an appraisal is in compliance with regulations and requirements. They possess additional expertise exceeding nearly all state certification and licensing requirements. In addition, an accredited rural appraiser is connected to a national network of professional resource information.

The ASFMRA, founded in 1929, is the nation's pioneer organization in rural property issues and education. Its focus is to create and maintain a professionally trained group of accredited agricultural consultants, accredited farm managers, accredited rural appraisers, and real property review appraisers, who are capable of providing expert guidance and assistance to people who own and/or operate agricultural lands and rural resource properties.