When John J. Yoder founded Yoder Lumber with five employees and a portable saw in 1944, he never imagined it would evolve into a sophisticated, zero-waste operation with cutting-edge technology and facilities. Despite growing and adapting to meet the needs of the modern hardwood industry, the business remains a family-owned pillar in the local community 80 years later.
Chief Operating Officer Trent Yoder and President and CEO Bob Mapes take great pride in those roots. Today, the business has approximately 185 employees, some of whom have been with the company for 45 years. From certified foresters to equipment operators to customer support specialists, the entire team at Yoder Lumber is dedicated to providing quality hardwood that’s responsibly sourced and processed.
When Bob joined Trent on the leadership team, they looked to a handful of established financial advisors to help grow the business. When traditional lenders proved unable or unwilling to provide the services Yoder Lumber needed, Trent and Bob turned to a long-time trusted partner: Josh Davis, vice president of food and agribusiness at Farm Credit Mid-America.
“We found a dead end with our local bank, but our partners at Farm Credit Mid-America were able to help us quickly and easily,” said Trent. “They view lumber as an agricultural product with a year-round growing cycle. They understand the full picture of the ag industry and built a strong relationship with us. We feel their commitment to the success of our business.”
Bob had a similar experience. As a retired accountant, he appreciated the financial acumen and industry expertise Farm Credit Mid-America brought to the table.
“When I got to Yoder Lumber, I didn't fully understand how closely aligned we are with agriculture,” said Bob. “When you step back and think about what a tree is and how we process it, it's not a lot different than other agricultural crops.”
For more than 100 years, Farm Credit Mid-America has been one of the region’s leading timber and forest product lenders. Our industry experts use their knowledge to build long-term relationships and provide tailored lending solutions for businesses like Yoder Lumber. Meeting the evolving needs of producers is essential to our larger purpose of securing the future of rural communities and agriculture.
Watch the video below to learn more about Yoder Lumber’s footprint in the community and Bob and Trent’s relationship with Farm Credit Mid-America.
