The History of Field Level Agriculture, Inc.

Field Level Agriculture, Inc. was founded by Seth Baker as president and owner in 2017.  After 20 years of farm management experience working in a bank setting, Seth decided to create an independent yet comprehensive agricultural services firm to meet the needs of today's farmland owners.  

In addition to 23 years in farm management, Seth also has 22 years of farmland appraisal experience with the past 16 years of experience as a state certified general appraiser. Seth has been licensed as an Illinois real estate broker since 1999 achieving his managing real estate broker’s license in 2015.

On July 1, 2020, Tom Courson joined Seth as co-owner of Field Level Agriculture, Inc. Tom has 26 years in the ag industry, including 15 years in farm management. Tom has been licensed as an Illinois real estate broker since 1995. Tom also has 9 years of experience as a district seed sales manager gives him additional agronomic knowledge he continues to use as a farm manager today.

On August 1, 2020, Field Level Agriculture, Inc. acquired Heartland Ag Group of Springfield from Ernest Moody as he began his transition to retirement.  Heartland Ag Group of Springfield also specialized in professional farmland appraisals, brokerage, and management services making this a perfect opportunity for expansion.

The acquisition of Heartland Ag Group of Springfield added a second location in addition to the Mt. Zion office.  The office on Old Jacksonville Road was led by Josh Peak from his addition in March 2021 until his move to run the new Jacksonville Office in July 2022. Josh brings 5 years of experience to the team from his time in Dekalb, Illinois as a farm manager and farmland broker.

In July 2021, Field Level Agriculture entered into a partnership agreement with Agrivest, Inc. in Springfield and Jacksonville. This partnership is designed to allow for the seamless transition of farm management services for the Agrivest clients to the next generation of professionals through Field Level Agriculture, Inc. Logan Frye was hired in October 2021 to oversee this transition as the head of the Springfield Office. Bob Nelson, in Springfield, and Dan Newton, in Jacksonville, will continue to provide farm management and brokerage to their clients through Agrivest. Jerry Hicks’ clients have been transferred to Field Level Ag for management moving forward.

In August 2021, Field Level Agriculture hired Nick Suess to open and lead a new location in Greenville, Illinois. Nick brings 10 years of experience in farm management, farm brokerage, and farmland appraisals as well as extensive knowledge of the Greenville area as a lifelong resident. Nick earned his State Certified General Appraiser license in 2019 which allows Nick to provide all of Field Level Ag’s services from the new location.

On January 1, 2022, Josh Peak and Nick Suess both became minority owners in Field Level Agriculture, Inc. along with Seth and Tom. Both were provided the opportunity to become co-owners due to their contribution to the quick growth of Field Level Agriculture. This opportunity was well-earned and provides additional stability for our clients and business for many year to come.

In July 2022, as part of the Agrivest partnership, Josh Peak, moved to the Agrivest Jacksonville office to open a new Jacksonville location for Field Level Agriculture. Josh’s local knowledge and experience will allow him to best serve our clients and assist Dan in the transition of his local clients by working together. Chris Dorsey will also provide farmland appraisal services out of the Jacksonville Office. Chris has been working with Field Level Ag as an appraisal trainee since March 2021.

Also in July 2022, Ryan Reifschneider joined the Field Level Ag team to open and lead a new location in Belleville, Illinois. Ryan brings over 20 years of experience in farm management, farm brokerage, and farmland appraisals as well as extensive knowledge of the Metro East area as a lifelong resident. Ryan will provide farmland appraisals and farm brokerage from this new office. Ryan will be joined by Debra Reifschneider who is also an Illinois licensed real estate broker and appraisal trainee. Debra has worked with Field Level Agriculture in a variety of HR roles since October 2020.

With the addition of the Jacksonville and Belleville locations in 2022, Field Level Ag has five full-service offices to serve the region.  This combined experience allows Field Level Agriculture, Inc. the ability to provide appraisal, brokerage, and management services as an independent agricultural services firm with the flexibility to put the clients’ needs first.  We have the experience and expertise to find solutions to client’s problems in the best and most economical manner possible.

Our goal at Field Level Agriculture, Inc. is simple: provide close, personal service to help our clients achieve their farmland ownership goals.  As an independent firm, our success is tied to the success and satisfaction of our clients.