About ASAC

Our Mission

Our Standards and Experience

Our Underlying Code of Ethics
About the American Society of Agricultural Consultants

Founded in 1963, the American Society of Agricultural Consultants (ASAC) is a non-profit organization oriented around raising the standards and image of professional agricultural consultants. ASAC is the only association representing the full range of agricultural consultants.

Our membership includes professionals in the areas of:
  • Finance
  • Marketing
  • Food Processing
  • Farm Management
  • Irrigation Systems
  • Production
  • Biotechnology
  • GPS/GIS Systems
  • Environment

Agricultural consultants provide the highest quality management consulting services to businesses of rural America. Consistent with other agribusiness professionals, the consultant values honesty and fair dealing in a manner which promotes the personal growth of their customers, employees, and shareholders.

The consultant advises clients on business decisions about the current operation of, and future opportunities for, the client's enterprise. Consultants may focus on financial matters, business structure, human relations, business succession planning, personnel management, or production and operations issues.

The agricultural consultant role is the fastest growing in the agriculture industry. The consultant role is becoming more and more critical as agriculture enters the fast paced era of technology, specialization, mergers, and reformation.
Our Mission

The specific purpose of ASAC is to foster the science of agricultural consulting in all its varied fields; to promote the profession and maintain high standards under which the members conduct their service to the public; hold meetings for the exchange of ideas and the study of the profession of agricultural consulting; and maintain a Code of Professional Ethics in the broad field of agricultural consulting.

All members uphold rigid standards involving training, experience, knowledge, performance, and the ability to provide independent and objective consulting services.
Our Standards and Experience

Professional Standards

ASAC's ethical and professional standards set the membership body distinctly apart. Our certified members must satisfy rigorous continuing education requirements to maintain certification.

Global Experience

ASAC's membership represents the largest single body of internationally experienced Agricultural consultants on the globe. Many of our members are multi-lingual. They understand and respect cultural differences. Our members were globally - focused long before world market-oriented systems were fashionable.

Global Strategy

Competitive Global Markets make for a very intense management strategy environment. Corporate downsizing continues to decrease internal support staffs at a time when both the scope and diversity of information resources are escalating. Modern corporate management no longer has the time or resources to internally source all the answers, especially when corporate needs are changing daily. That's where ASAC members come in.

Domestic Experience

Many of our members are distinguished US domestic consultants and serve the domestic market notably. But, they too are globally-focused. Whether in Smalltown, USA or somewhere in Russia or Africa, our members are on the cutting edge.
Our Underlying Code of Ethics
  • A member is distinguished by the independence, objectivity and moral concern by which his/her business affairs are conducted.

  • A member will accept only those engagements he/she is qualified to undertake and which, in light of this knowledge and experience, are in the best interests of his/her clients.

  • A member can be depended upon to serve his/her clients with true professional honesty; he/she will refuse to serve under terms or conditions that may impair his/her independence, objectivity or integrity.

  • A member respects and guards as confidential any information obtained from clients which is of a sensitive and confidential nature.

  • A member will serve two or more competing clients at the same time on problems of conflicting nature only with their full knowledge.

  • A member shall not accept or pay fees for referral of clients, nor will he/she accept compensation, financial or otherwise, from persons or companies whose products, equipment or services he/she may recommend to clients during the course of an engagement without full disclosure to the client.

  • A member shall always respect the rights of his/her fellow consultants negotiating for professional work or advancement; he/she may use all honorable means in competition for an assignment.

  • A member will condemn unethical or illegal conduct by other consultants and shall report any information of these principals to the Society's Committee on Grievances for proper investigation and action.

  • A member shall promote his/her services in a professionally dignified manner, being careful to avoid inaccuracies or misleading statements.

  • A member recognizes that the Society's Code of Ethics signifies a voluntary assumption of the obligation of self-discipline above and beyond the requirements of the law. By it he/she strives to uphold the honor and maintain the dignity of his/her profession.