Since November 1996, Heartland Ag Group of Springfield has been providing a comprehensive set of farm management , farmland sales and investment ,  farm appraisal , and consulting services to land owners, farmers, tenants, and investors. Whether it be optimizing farm income or building a legacy to hand down to future family farmers, business partners Gene Meurer and Ernest Moody and their staff work with you to help you reach your agricultural goals.

While most of the farms we manage are within a 150-mile radius of Springfield, Illinois, we serve clients all across the United States, including land owners, tenants, farm operators, retired farmers, investors, bankers, attorneys, and many others with an interest in agriculture.

Heartland Ag Group of Springfield does business based on four basic principles:

Personal Attention

Every landowner and farmer has different goals, and we understand that. We take the time to get to know you and your operation, working closely with you to ensure you have the right information to make the best decisions. We visit your operation at least once a month during the growing season to monitor your crop and livestock production and activities. Our clients can always reach us in our office or on our cell phones.

Professional Service

Both Ernie and Gene are experienced professionals and accredited members of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisals. They have been involved in the leadership of this organization, both on a local and national level. Through ASFMRA, they maintain their credentials, continue their education, and stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and management strategies.

Detailed Management

To be successful in any farm or livestock business, you have to pay attention to the details. We keep in-depth accounting and production records for you to analyze the financial status of your operation. We communicate frequently with our clients and send written quarterly reports so they always know where they stand.

Steadfast Reliability

Heartland Ag Group of Springfield is a committed team member in your operation.  When you have questions or concerns, you can depend on us to be available. We have extensive experience in the ag industry, and we serve our clients with honesty and integrity. In fact, we follow a strict code of ethics developed by the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisals. These values are integral in the way we do business.

Our Business Family

Gene Meurer, AFM, ARA - Heartland Senior Partner

Gene Meurer is an accredited farm manager and an accredited rural appraiser. His wealth of experience in farm management dates back to 1969, when he started managing and appraising farmland for banks, attorneys, judges, and private individuals. He has managed over 12,000 acres and conducted over 3,000 private evaluations.

Gene received a degree from the University of Illinois in Agricultural Sciences, and continues to participate in educational courses offered by the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA). Gene is past president of the ASFMRA. He was born and raised on his family's farm in Lee County, Illinois, and has served as a school board member for the Ball-Chatham Unit District #5 School and the Capital Area Vocational School. He is involved in FFA, 4-H, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and was a 25 year member and Past President of the Cosmopolitan Club of Springfield.  He is also an active member of the Sugar Creek Methodist Church.

Ernest Moody, AFM, ARA, AAC - Heartland Ag President & Senior Partner

As an accredited farm manager, an accredited rural appraiser, and an accredited agricultural consultant, Ernie has over 30 years of experience in professional farm management, real estate, appraisal, and consulting services throughout the central and southeastern United States. He has managed 15,000 acres of large, direct farming operations in grain and livestock production for foreign  investors, and over 14,000 acres of tenant operated farmland for United States landowners. He has been involved in the purchase or sale of over 6,000 acres of farmland and conducted over 2,000 appraisals.

Ernie received a degree Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois and has earned his credentials through the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA). Ernie is active in the National Ethics Committee of the ASFMRA and has served as President of the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. He is also past president of Jaycees, past Director of Kiwanis, a member of the Sunrise Rotary, and of the Methodist Church.  Currently, he also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Illini Bio-Energy, LLC, an ethanol and bio-energy company in its development stages.

Mary Jane Strode

Mary Jane has been a part of the Heartland Ag Group family since 2002.  She is responsible for parts of the bill paying and recordkeeping systems, organizes and oversees insurance, and assists in the completion of the many appraisals and other reports which we prepare on a regular basis.

A lifelong resident of Springfield, she enjoyed a 28 year career with the original Marine Bank of Springfield, working  in the areas of loan documentation, accounting, credit lines, credit cards and commercial loan work.

Mary Jane has two daughters who live in the Springfield area, a son who resides in Florence, Kentucky, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.  For eleven years, she served as a volunteer in the Pastoral Care area at Memorial Hospital in Springfield.

When the managers are out of the office, she handles your calls about your farms and your business.

Alice McCoy

Alice joined the Heartland Ag Group family in March of 2006.  She is responsible for payment of client bills, the recordkeeping systems, computer operations, and website updates, along with mailings, report design and completion, and client communications.

Originally from Arizona, she currently resides in Greenview, Illinois with her husband, Larry, who retired from "long-haul" trucking (and who likes to play golf when he can).  Alice worked at the First National Bank of Springfield from 1986 to 2000 in many positions-most recently as Secretary to the President of the bank.

Alice has two daughters, one in San Diego (working on an MBA and Doctorate) and the other, a nurse in Springfield (thus two granddaughters) and a son-in-law with the Springfield Police Department.

Alice retired when Larry retired, but has come out of retirement and is helping us with our operations and your calls about your farms and your business.