Page 31 - KMA Ag Mag 2020

KMAland 2020 Overcoming Current Challenges in the Ag Community 31

Q & A with Mark Younger

have the opportunity to changes, if any, have sionals doing this every
provide more opportuni- you had to make to offset day, it’s not so much
ties to buyers and sellers that? as advice but the offer
by hosting the auction I feel that it is impor- of help or solutions.
onsite with online bid- tant to understand the They know what they’re
ding or in our facility community, know the doing, but sometimes
in Maryville, MO that surroundings of the cli- you can’t help mother

is climate controlled. ents that I am working nature, she has a will of
We’ve seen a lot of inter- with and form a strategy her own – for example –
Mark Younger esting things along the that will be affective for all the flooding that has
way and continue learn-
their well-being. This been going on along the
Auctioneer
Q seen a lot of ups and around us has changed that have been displaced
isn’t just a job, it’s peo-
ing every day.
Missouri River. Not just
Q: In that time, you’ve ples’ lives. As the world the farmers, but families
Q: Mark, tell us
a little about yourself
downs in agriculture, how and continues to change, from their homes. It’s
and how you came to
form Younger auction do you think this cycle we’ve had to adapt, one tough decisions that

compares?
of those is the internet. they need to make on
Company? I remember back in One of our many ser- how they’ll move for-
My father “Pete” the 80’s when farming vices is to offer online ward, if I can help by
Younger was an auction- was tough and interest bidding for many of our providing services, then
eer, so I was brought rates were high, that auctions – sometimes great.
up in the business. My was a difficult time. I the items that are for
father saw something in like to think that we’ve auction are better suited Q: any final thoughts?
For the younger gen-
me and asked if I was all learned from that outside of our Midwest eration that is wanting
dedicated, and wanted time. With our ser- region – the internet to get into the farming
to become an auction- vices we can provide offers us the opportunity industry, I know that it
eer – so at the age of opportunities for our to allow individuals from is tough and it takes the
14 I went to auction- Agricultural community around the country and help of mom and dad,
eer school and gradu- to sell machinery that world to bid to us and sometimes grandparents
ated. I lost my father at they’re not utilizing as purchase what they’ve too, so when I’m sell-
18, and continued the they once did, upgrade been searching for or ing land I do look at it
business ever since. I because their program collecting. That being as a whole and the sur-
don’t like what I do – I has grown, or sell cash said – nothing beats rounding neighbors and
love what I do. It’s an rent ground they’re not good old-fashioned leg make decisions that will
opportunity to meet new physically able to farm. work and going out help benefit the com-

people from all over and This too is a cycle, and and talking to the com-
munity, that’s how this
provide needed services in every cycle, there will munity in person – and great country will con-
for people. We’re able be highs and lows. With that’s what I enjoy, that’s tinue on – with strong
to sell everything from my many years of expe- my research, getting to communities.
Farmland, Machinery, rience and our clients, know people.
Guns, Coins, Antiques we’re able to sit down Q: From an auction-
and Collectibles. When together and make a eer’s standpoint, is there
I first started with my plan that sustains their any advice you can give
dad – we would pull family and the commu- to farmers as they face
items to sell out of the nity. these challenging times?
house and barns and set Q: Has your business Hey – these guys/
them up and have the been affected and what gals – they’re profes-
auctions on site, now we