Farm machinery auction brings hundreds to Maple Mount

The Ursuline Sisters began leasing their farm in 2022, and no longer needed the many vehicles and farm implements they had accumulated over the years. On March 3, 2022, more than 200 people arrived at Maple Mount to take part in an auction led by Kurtz Auction & Realty. Every item was sold. Here are some photos from the day.

The day before the auction, the items for sale were on display before the crowds arrived.
John Kurtz, president of Kurtz Auction & Realty, takes bids on this large truck.
There were 190 people signed up to bid, but others just came to watch.
Farm auctions are a great place to socialize, as these men prove.
From left, Sisters Maureen O’Neill, Amelia Stenger and Judith Nell Riney watch the auctioneers at work.
The answer to the question “where are all these people going to park?” was the hillside across from the farm building, and all along the farm entrance.
A potential bidder counts up the “antique milk cartons” as they were advertised. The dairy operation at the Mount ended in 1984, but in more recent years the community used the crates to collect potatoes for storage.
The Mount Finance office served hot dogs and drinks to all the participants. Here, Sister Elaine Burke talks with a farmer.
Sister Amelia Stenger talks with a few of the people who came for the auction. At left is Mark Blandford, who retired as farm manager in December 2021, but is serving as a consultant this year for the Sisters.
The rat-a-tat-tat delivery of the auctioneer keeps everyone’s attention.
A few future farmers were in attendance as well.
Sister Amelia Stenger talks with Bruce Blandford, who retired in 2009 after 34 years of working on the farm, the last 19 as farm manager.

Comments

  1. Michele Morek

    Sad to see, but I am glad the equipment is going to someone who can use it. Love our farmers! Special appreciation for the Blandford family…. Sister Michele Morek OSU

  2. Susan Scott

    I agree with Sr. Michele. It’s a sad sight to see the equipment being sold and an end to an era. I remember passing the dining room where the men ate lunch at noon. I also remember washing many milk cans in the dairy with Sr. Clare Johnson and Sr. Ann Victoria (Granny) when Mr. Stalmach brought them to us twice a day in his red truck. So grateful to all the farmers who served faithfully those many years and Sr. Rita Scott for her excellent management skills.

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