Farm Auctions: A Place to Buy and People Watch
Farm Auctions: A Place to Buy and People Watch
on 04/08/08 at 11:10 AM
With Spring (despite the snow forecast for tomorrow) comes one of the greatest social traditions of many agricultural communities, the farm auction. I absolutely love farm auctions! Of course they are a place where you can find good deals on farm equipment, but they are also the place to catch up with neighbors, learn from the old timers, and experience the great “culture” of the agricultural community.
(By the way, the picture above is of an auction I was at last summer. I think it is a great representation of a small farm auction in Southern Iowa.)
One interesting phenomenon that I see is that many farmers don’t go to the auction with the intent to buy or even fill needs for their farm. For many of them, the reason they are there is because the auction signifies the end of a farming career. You see, farm auctions are usually held because a farmer is being forced out of business, because they are retiring, or because they have passed away. So, the people come out to reminisce, or sympathize, with the owner of the farm.
For me, I go to the farm auctions because I’m looking for good used equipment for the farm, because I enjoy the relaxation of the day, and because I love to watch the interaction of the various people there (young farmers, old farmers, antique hunters, and even Amish in our area). This year I hope to find some more materials to make chicken pens, some fencing equipment, some hay racks, a wagon to use for hauling water, and anything else that catches my eye!
If you have had the opportunity to attend a farm auction, I would love to hear your stories. If you have not been to one, I think it is something that everyone needs to experience at least once. Sometimes they even have some good food!
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