History and Associates

Welcome to the Terra Western Associates website. This section will give you background on our company and its primary associates.

After over 20 years as an independent appraiser, and independent contractor to other companies, Kim Bennett, Ph.D., ARA established Terra Western Associates in Big Timber, Montana in 2005. In the 1980’s the general appraisal industry began to be extensively regulated and appraisers have been held to higher and higher standards ever since. Because of the liability involved in the appraisal world many older, more seasoned, rural appraisers are not willing to take on appraiser trainees and with this fact the number of rural appraisers has begun to dwindle. Due to the lack of new appraisers the base of appraisers in many states is becoming smaller and smaller. Terra Western Associates was formed to give our clients a choice in appraisal companies and appraisers. Through our associations we can deliver timely, high quality, reports in many areas around Montana and Wyoming. To date, our associates have over 100 years of combined experience in the appraisal field.

  • Kim C. Bennett, Ph.D., ARA – Kim is the President and founder of Terra Western Associates and as of 2023 is celebrating her 39th year as a rural land appraiser. She began her appraisal career at Security Pacific Bank in Visalia, CA. She was then associated with Sierra Western Agricultural Services, Inc. for seven years in Exeter, CA. In 1991 Kim moved to Montana to start a family and has been appraising rural properties in Montana and Wyoming for the past 31 years. with a total of 39 years of experience in real estate appraisal, sales, and consulting. She has performed a wide variety of rural appraisal assignments including large ranches, dairies, farms, USFS inholdings, and recreational properties. She also has 25 years of experience in the appraisal of conservation easements. Kim is certified general in Montana and Wyoming. Kim has been a licensed Montana real estate broker since 1999. You can find Kim’s qualifications link at the top of this page.
  • Rick Six – Rick Six’s home base is Worland, Wyoming. Rick is a certified general appraiser in Wyoming. He has been an associate of Terra Western Associates since 2006. Rick began his career in 1987 with Farm Credit Services. After working there until 1999 he left the company to start his own fee appraisal business, Six Appraisal Services, Inc. Rick has over 35 years experience in the appraisal of rural real estate in northern, central, and southwestern Wyoming. Along with his appraisal company he and his wife, Danyen, run a small farming operation in Worland. Rick specializes in large ranch and recreational properties. Rick can be reached at 307.347.3906.

 

 

Kim C. Bennett, Ph.D., ARA

MT Certified General Appraiser #174

WY Certified General Appraiser #424

MT Licensed Real Estate Broker #98587

cell: 406.539.4924
office: 406.932.3067

kim@terrawestern.com