About Farm Depot

Farm Depot, a family owned and operated business, has been in business for over 75 years as an agricultural dealership. With locations in Caro, Ionia and Schoolcraft, Farm Depot has come a long way from the day Dick Laethem opened the doors in 1944 as the Laethem Farm Service Co., in Fairgrove, MI. Times were very different then. The phone number was “17” and the John Deere and Caterpillar tractors sat on the dirt floor of the store. Today, the showrooms are large and the equipment is Fendt, Challenger, RoGator, TerraGator, Massey Ferguson, Krone, Kubota, Kioti, and many more. Brothers Mark and Mike Laethem, Dick’s grandsons, carry on the tradition of running the family owned business today. Mike’s son Blake Laethem is now the 4th generation of Laethems in the family business.

Mark graduated from Michigan State University in 1976 and came back to the family business as the third generation. Mike graduated, earned his CPA certificate and returned home in 1980. Blake, Mike’s son, followed the family tradition by graduating from Michigan State University in 2012. He then worked for AGCO for four years, where he gained valuable agricultural business experience. Blake then started working in Ionia in 2016.

Laethems’ dealerships are now known as Farm Depot. The stores in Caro, Ionia and Schoolcraft are an important resource for Michigan farmers both large and small. Farm Depot sells a variety of new and used agricultural, commercial, lawn, and hobby equipment. Farm Depot was recently recognized by AGCO Corporation for achieving top status in its 2020 Dealer Excellence Program, an annual dealer evaluation review. Farm Depot is the largest AGCO dealer in Michigan and in the top 20 AGCO Dealers in North America. AGCO makes Fendt, Challenger, Massey Ferguson, RoGator, TerraGator, Willmar, Sunflower, Precision Planting and White Planter equipment.

When Blake is not out at a farm demonstrating new equipment, he is at the Ionia facility. “I love being in a family business and working with my father and uncle. I knew since I was very young that this is what I wanted to do,” commented Blake. Mark, Mike and Blake are proud to be part of the communities they work in and look forward to many more years of growth and service to agriculture in Michigan.

Left to right: Mark, Mike and Blake Laethem pictured with a John Deere and Catepillar like their grandfather

sold at Laethem Farm Service Co. and a Fendt and Challenger which is what Farm Depot sells today.

The owners of Farm Depot, Mark and Mike Laethem, are the third generation of a family that has been dedicated to the service of the agricultural industry. The Laethem brothers have built one of the most successful agricultural businesses in Michigan and will continue along that path of success in the Farm Depot venture.

Their success is due, in large part, to the attention that they pay to their customers and their customer’s needs. Mark and Mike Laethem are happy to provide their talents and expertise to growers using the time-honored and successful Laethem tradition. The Laethem brothers have served farmers in Tuscola County and throughout Michigan for more than 75 combined years.

Farm Depot is an authorized Krone dealership serving the Caro area. We are proud to carry a large selection of new and pre-owned inventory. When you are ready to invest in your new tractor or other agricultural equipment, our friendly and knowledgeable sales, financing, service and parts departments are prepared to make sure your experience is outstanding, from assisting while you're making your choice to ongoing maintenance and customization. We value the opportunity to create a long-term relationship with our customers, and we do that by giving you the best customer service available.

Contact Us

Call us at (989) 673-6172 or come by today and experience our superior service and selection! We look forward to serving you!

Farm Depot is proud to be a 2021 AGCO Four-Star Dealer!

Farm Depot is conveniently located near the areas of Caro, Ionia, and Schoolcraft.