Welcome to the Western VP! We are a full-service resource for anything rural and agricultural. We focus on agricultural and rural real estate appraisals, but our experience is universal. Our deep roots in the community and decades of experience in agriculture give us a unique skill set that can give you the solutions you are looking for.
James Rickert is a fifth generation Shasta County resident and lives with his family on a small farm in the Churn Creek Bottom area of Shasta County. James holds a degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in Horticultural Crop Science with a minor in Plant Protection Science. James has worked for his family’s business, Prather Ranch for 12 years before going out on his own.
James is the co-founder and co-manager for Innovative Organic Nursery (ION), the nation’s only public Certified Organic strawberry plant nursery. ION continues to expand and supplies organic strawberry plants to growers throughout the United States and Mexico. James has worked extensively in agricultural management and currently oversees a farm and ranch operation in Northern California that is based out of the Shasta Valley. James is the principal appraiser for the Western VP. James works with a diverse mix of projects that keep him well rounded and focused within the agricultural industry.
Casey Rickert is a sixth generation Shasta County resident and currently resides with her family on a small farm in the Churn Creek Bottom area of Shasta County. Casey earned a degree of Organizational Leadership from Simpson University in 2010. In the past, Casey was the General Manager for the Barnes and Noble location in Redding and most recently was the Operations Manager for Planet Fitness. During this time she opened up locations in Redding, Napa and Petaluma. Currently, Casey is also working part time at Crossroads Equine Hospital in Anderson. Casey’s professional talents include building teams, creating operational efficiencies and creating a culture of leadership and accountability in an organization. Casey’s hobbies include spending quality time with her family, working out and riding horses.
Sedar Kane is a second generation Shasta County resident and currently resides with her horses and pup in Tehama County. Sedar is a recent 2022 Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduate and holds a degree in Agricultural Business with a minor in Agricultural Communications. Sedar is an appraisal trainee for Western Valuation Professionals, planning to obtain her Certified General Appraisal License in the future.
Sedar comes from a primarily agricultural and cattle ranching background. Previously, before joining Western Valuation Professionals, Sedar ranched on the California Coast and Colorado. She has also packed mules for the Forest Service in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Aside from her agricultural experience, Sedar has been the Marketing and Proposal Manager for K & K Equipment, Inc. responsible for accurately bidding jobs, writing proposals, site plans and promoting the company.
