What happens when worlds collide? When Christian Miller sits down with Jack Pfeifer for a candid conversation about his journey from Lancaster County's Amish community to becoming a successful auctioneer in the Northern Plains, we're treated to a fascinating glimpse into a rarely-seen American experience.
Christian pulls back the curtain on growing up Amish, where one-room schoolhouses, horse-drawn farm equipment, and tight-knit community values shaped his worldview. He describes how Lancaster County's agricultural economy operates - from communal tractor ownership (with engines mounted directly on implements pulled by horses) to intensive dairy operations on relatively small acreages. We discover that virtually everything in Amish communities sells through auctions, explaining why auctioneering runs in Christian's blood as a third-generation professional following his grandfather and great-grandfather who began calling bids in 1942.
The land dynamics Christian describes are eye-opening, with prime Lancaster County farmland commanding upwards of $20,000 per acre. This price pressure has pushed Amish families into neighboring York County, doubling land values there as families seek space to continue their agricultural traditions. Unlike conventional approaches to land investment, Christian explains how Amish families willingly take on "lifetime debt" for farmland, understanding it may be their children or grandchildren who finally own the property outright - a multigenerational perspective on legacy that profoundly influences market behavior.
The conversation shifts to exciting developments at Pifers as they celebrate their 25th anniversary, with Jack Pfeifer stepping into the CEO role while maintaining the company's commitment to exceptional service across real estate, auction, and land management sectors. The transition of leadership in their land management division signals growth and innovation while honoring the foundation built by longtime leaders.
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Contact the team at Pifer's