On March 17, 2025, land professionals from around the nation gathered in Tucson, Ariz., for the Cowboy Auction at the National Land Conference. Hosted by United Country Real Estate | Auction Services (UCAS) legends, Shawn Terrel and Jimmie Dean Coffey, the event raised $73,365 to benefit the Land Education Foundation (LEF), supporting scholarships and education for those in the land real estate industry.
This fundraising event was an effective display of how real estate auctions can transform the profession in an engaging and accelerated way. With bidders from across the country and a strong lineup of one-of-a-kind items, including a wild turkey-themed art series, a custom quilt and guided hunting trips, the Cowboy Auction delivered an exciting and meaningful event.
“The Cowboy Auction is focused on generating critical funding for the LEF to provide educational opportunities and scholarships for land professionals. Every dollar raised goes directly toward helping current and future land specialists access the education, training, and resources they need to excel in their careers,” President of UCRE | Auction Services Shawn Terrel said.
United Country’s Auction Expertise
United Country Real Estate is no stranger to innovating how land and rural properties are bought and sold. With a century-long legacy of specializing in niche and lifestyle real estate, the company’s auction division has grown into one of the most respected in the industry thanks to the expertise and dedication of Terrel and Coffey.
Auctions have been a powerful tool in the United Country program with potential to expand real estate businesses to unimaginable levels of success and is often underutilized by other land professionals. UCAS continues to set the standard for innovation and client value. Events like the Cowboy Auction spotlight how auctioneering can elevate fundraising efforts while engaging industry professionals in new, exciting ways.
“Yes, it’s a fundraiser, but it’s also one of the most entertaining and engaging events of the conference. The energy is incredible as auction professionals bring their talents to create a fast-paced, exciting atmosphere where generosity and friendly competition combine,” Terrel disclosed.
A Strategic Partnership Decades in the Making
United Country’s involvement with the Realtors Land Institute (RLI) and the LEF goes far beyond collaboration and benefits –it’s a shared mission of understanding the land real estate industry and helping people find their freedom. UCAS leaders Shawn Terrel and Jimmie Dean Coffey have been actively involved with RLI for more than a decade, both holding the prestigious Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) designation and participating in RLI’s professional development programs.
“Our journey with the Realtors Land Institute (RLI) spans many years of shared commitment to land expertise and professional development,” Terrel said. “This year’s auction represents a continuation of our commitment to giving back to an organization that has provided so much value to land professionals, including our own team members.”
In 2024 alone, LEF awarded more than $16,000 in scholarships, which included members pursuing specialized education through RLI’s LANDU courses and even participants in RLI’s Military Transaction Program. These benefits provided financial relief to land real estate professionals on top of opening new doors for career development, mentorship and expertise in a competitive, niche industry.
“The impact of these scholarships is truly transformative for recipients,” Terrel continued. “These educational opportunities create a ripple effect throughout the industry as better-educated professionals raise the bar for everyone, ultimately benefiting landowners across the country with higher quality service and expertise.”
Educational support from experts helps more professionals earn their ALC designations, strengthen their knowledge of land use and ultimately provide better services for their clients.
Investing in the Future of Auctions & Land Real Estate
With the 2025 Cowboy Auction completed and marked a success, United Country is already gearing up for the next round. The 2026 National Land Conference will provide an opportunity for land professionals to give back, connect and elevate their careers.
“We invite everyone attending the 2026 National Land Conference to join us next year at the Cowboy Auction – whether you’re bidding, donating, or simply enjoying the experience,” Terrel added. “Your presence helps strengthen our professional community and supports the educational mission that benefits us all.”
Events like the Cowboy Auction that support education by providing scholarships also inspire a shift in how auctions are approached in land real estate. They showcase how auctions are more than just an efficient method of sale, but also help build relationships, share knowledge and raise industry standards. When committed land professionals come together for an important cause, there are more opportunities for training, increased exposure to cutting-edge tools and a stronger sense of community with your fellow auctioneers across the nation.
The Next Generation of Auctioneers & Land Professionals
As United Country Auction Services continues to innovate auction services, it’s also developing the next generation of leading auctioneers. Each bid placed and dollar raised was an investment into the future of auctioneers and land professionals, so that they are more prepared, more connected and more capable of serving the diverse needs of landowners across the country.
“By supporting the Land Education Foundation through this auction, we are investing in the future of our industry and ensuring that land professionals have the knowledge and skills to best serve landowners and buyers,” Terrel said. “The mission aligns perfectly with United Country’s commitment to expertise and specialized knowledge in rural and land-focused real estate.”
As United Country continues to celebrate a century of innovation and excellence in lifestyle, country, and rural real estate in 2025, we are also looking ahead at the next 100 years and how we will continue to deliver on our promise of the best service in the lifestyle real estate industry. Auction services and top-tier land education are just part of that commitment to cutting-edge real estate technology and nurturing the best niche property professionals. We are proud to partner with the RLI and host amazing events like the Cowboy Auction as we continue to pioneer innovations in land real estate together.
“The impact of the RLI network on United Country and our careers has been immeasurable,” Terrel concluded. “The relationships built through RLI have directly translated into business opportunities, mentorship, and professional growth that simply wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.”
To gain further understanding of the auction industry and its relationship with educational forums like RLI and their National Land Conference, read the full Shawn Terrel interview here and reach out to learn how you can become a member of the most powerful auction network in the industry.
