I'd love to see you, at some point, shift from what is the well known and rightly admired artistry and work ethic of this community, to what makes it possible. To my mind, like your sunflowers, the magnificent, brilliantly colored petals of the Amish works, are only possible and have always been supported by faith, family and tradition - the roots that make the rest possible. That's the real beauty being expressed through their work and what sets them apart from the "english" that surround and in many cases ridicule and despise them.
If you've made inroads and friendships with them, explain to the world how and why these men are able to stand in a stoic, godly and benign masculinity. That is only possible because of their wives mothers and daughters, families and churches. Pillars that used to undergird the entirety of this nation, but are now only found in these small admired islands.
I think the "Amish" have a sense of humility and a recognition of what it takes to have a family withstand the test of time. I say that with complete "respect" for their ideology. With humility if I may be so bold to type comes a recognition that there are some things beyond "control" as well as astuteness with respect to currency - and fiat currency only goes so far - but the Amish most likely are aware of that already. I think in the future might be better to pay via barter, but sometimes that ain't an option.
So - if the effort is to make "funds", nothing wrong with that per-se - but if it is just to be ahead of the times and displaying one's capability - well begs the question - what is your main motivation?
As a dirt farmer out of Virginia growing crops given personal up-close loving attention - peppers are my specialty - I am more than happy to barter with others who have seeds of value - and I think the Amish appreciate that, and I appreciate the Amish mindset that has proven it really has wisdom.
But it ain't everyone's "cup of tea" and that I believe is recognized as well. Fair offers only please.
In the future I suspect local small-scale business enterprises are going to reclaim their value and I suspect the Amish already know that - they knew it already - tis part of their culture - and no wonder the boys want to work hard and the fathers want to share their knowledge in-situ while on the job.
~
To each their own - but the Amish for sure have my respect - and others may be realizing the wisdom of their lifestyle. it is commendable no doubt.
Have you contacted the regenerative farmers interviewed by RFK Jr in his podcasts? Rick Clark, Dustin Kittle, John Kempf, Joe Salatin, Elizabeth Kucinich, Dr. David Carpenter, Jeffrey Smith…..These people all have approximately 1 hour interviews explaining how they have turned around their own farms and consulted many other farmers. It’s absolutely fascinating! Godspeed……
Another resource for you is James Family Ranch in Durango Colorado. Absolutely a slice of heaven. They have been family farming, regenerative and chemical free since the 60’s. They are on their third generation and have many revenue streams. And the roving chicken house’s are spectacular… okay I’m done…
Everyone was very fascinating and brought a wealth of information to the table. Who knew no till radishes was trending! Haha. Good luck with your enterprise ..
Ah! Nixon said, “Government is full of small people in big jobs”. As regulations increased, more and more small people were hired to make life miserable for the doers trying to do big things. This is why he wanted to reduce the bloated government, and also why he was shown the door. Just read Part 4 of your experience and can feel your pain. Not as prevalent today, but executive secretaries were often the squelchers of potential doers, as they had immense, self perceived power to access. It was both nauseating and maddening. Now I’ve dated myself! So enjoy following your journey…❤️🌾🌷
This is amazing Alexandra. We had a lot of Amish and Mennonites near where I grew up and I was always impressed by their work ethic. They had a small farmers market where we would routinely buy produce, eggs, jams, and breads. I am enjoying following your story.
Love this! We are building on land we bought 3 years ago. Although we are doing most of the work ourselves, we have to use the occasional contractor. The small town where we are is definitely a "good ole boy system," especially when it comes to all the contractors. Not all, but most. They are rude, mist smoke cigarettes. They swear and don't do a good job in the end. Roofer cost us $7000 on top of what we paid him to fix his mistakes. The excavator who dug, did it wrong. Tree guys broke stuff on our property.
It has been a learning curve. The general rule is everyone has to be babysat. By that I mean....watched like a hawk!
Sounds like the Amish are actually paid to just do and complete a job competently! Like it should be. Imagine that!
Restores my faith in humanity. So much we can learn from their simple and joyful lives. I pray the rest of us can slow down long enough to feel and appreciate the warmth of the sun on our bodies. It's the simple things in life that are often free that we take for granted the most and do not express our gratitude to God. Connection with the Devine is the ticket to freedom and true happiness.
Having lived in an area that doesn't have many Amish in the area (at least not that I'm aware of), thank you for shining a light into their demeanor, way of life, and general attitudes. If/when I come across them, you sharing your experiences is working to undo the negative narratives that I've been fed my whole life. Thank you, for myself and for the Amish <3
Thanks for sharing all this! It’s been great to follow your journey to far 😀 Quick question: why did you choose to go for grid-electricity? Would it have been easier (planning wise) to install your own system with solar panels and batteries (for example)?
I explored that option - we don’t get enough sun and the makeshift battery setup with solar panels wouldn’t be enough to power everything I want to do here. I do have a portable solar setup I use on and off or if the grid were to go down, though!
Solar hot water is another option. We used that kind of setup (in town) for about 15 years, until the guy who installed it for us retired and we couldn't find maintenance.
Gotcha. Out of curiosity: hypothetically, say that was a viable option, would it be easier from a planning permission POV (would you need planning permission at all?) or would it not make a difference when compared to getting power lines installed from the grid?
From my experience, every single little thing about a homestead is regulated on a per-town, per-county basis. It's actually crazy how much it differs from one town to the next!
Interesting question. I think it depends on how much power you need and when. And not to forget using batteries and solarpanels is not good for the environment because of how these are made, think of lithium for the batteries and all the chemical stuff that is in inside the panels, and the energy needed to assemble them. So connecting to the already existing powergrid has its advantages, and of course its disadvantages, as she may have noticed by now in her wedding location.
I’ve also run into tremendous issues with government permitting for our business in our community. I feel for you on all the painstaking effort. But great job persevering! The barn looks amazing. I love your honest reflection of the Amish community. They certainly experience much prejudice while carrying an incredible humility and work ethic about them.
I live very far away from you, in a small farm in the Brazilian mountains, close to the intersection of the states of Minas Gerais (where I live), São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro, but when I read about your problems getting electricity I felt your pain.
I got some unexpected money a while ago, and used part of it to install a solar power generation system. I sell the power I generate to the electrical company by day, and buy it back by night. Well, I got it installed pretty quickly, but the electricity company told me they wouldn't put the new metering system where the old had been for years. To make a very long story short, it took not only installing a new pole, but also getting the neighbor to agree to some wires passing over a small corner of his property... almost exactly where the old wires had always passed. It was literally a small change in angle, with the wires coming from the same place in his property to another pole a few feet away rom the old one.
Then I had to wait for the electricity company to start buying the power I generate. It took them more than a year (during most of which they almost certainly used the power I generated for free) to get them to do it, and when they eventually did they took away the discount I had always had as a small farmer. I gave them all the paperwork they asked for, but I never got the discount back. As the generation system essentially covers all the power I use, my bills were reduced to something like ten dollars a month, when they used to be around one hundred (electricity is heavily taxed in Brazil), so I eventually gave up trying to get back the small-farmer discount.
Bureaucratic nightmares are universal in Modern society.
Thank you for sharing the journey.
I'd love to see you, at some point, shift from what is the well known and rightly admired artistry and work ethic of this community, to what makes it possible. To my mind, like your sunflowers, the magnificent, brilliantly colored petals of the Amish works, are only possible and have always been supported by faith, family and tradition - the roots that make the rest possible. That's the real beauty being expressed through their work and what sets them apart from the "english" that surround and in many cases ridicule and despise them.
If you've made inroads and friendships with them, explain to the world how and why these men are able to stand in a stoic, godly and benign masculinity. That is only possible because of their wives mothers and daughters, families and churches. Pillars that used to undergird the entirety of this nation, but are now only found in these small admired islands.
Yes that is true!
I think the "Amish" have a sense of humility and a recognition of what it takes to have a family withstand the test of time. I say that with complete "respect" for their ideology. With humility if I may be so bold to type comes a recognition that there are some things beyond "control" as well as astuteness with respect to currency - and fiat currency only goes so far - but the Amish most likely are aware of that already. I think in the future might be better to pay via barter, but sometimes that ain't an option.
So - if the effort is to make "funds", nothing wrong with that per-se - but if it is just to be ahead of the times and displaying one's capability - well begs the question - what is your main motivation?
As a dirt farmer out of Virginia growing crops given personal up-close loving attention - peppers are my specialty - I am more than happy to barter with others who have seeds of value - and I think the Amish appreciate that, and I appreciate the Amish mindset that has proven it really has wisdom.
But it ain't everyone's "cup of tea" and that I believe is recognized as well. Fair offers only please.
In the future I suspect local small-scale business enterprises are going to reclaim their value and I suspect the Amish already know that - they knew it already - tis part of their culture - and no wonder the boys want to work hard and the fathers want to share their knowledge in-situ while on the job.
~
To each their own - but the Amish for sure have my respect - and others may be realizing the wisdom of their lifestyle. it is commendable no doubt.
BK
Unelected local government bureaucrats. I learned from working in State government that:
They don’t get paid well.
There is no meritocracy, so you don’t get ahead by doing more.
So the only thing they have is politics and the joy of their personal power.
So true! I actually used to work for the State of New York as well... many moons ago haha.
Have you contacted the regenerative farmers interviewed by RFK Jr in his podcasts? Rick Clark, Dustin Kittle, John Kempf, Joe Salatin, Elizabeth Kucinich, Dr. David Carpenter, Jeffrey Smith…..These people all have approximately 1 hour interviews explaining how they have turned around their own farms and consulted many other farmers. It’s absolutely fascinating! Godspeed……
I haven’t but this is a great idea!
Joel Salatin has a website
https://polyfacefarms.com/
Another resource for you is James Family Ranch in Durango Colorado. Absolutely a slice of heaven. They have been family farming, regenerative and chemical free since the 60’s. They are on their third generation and have many revenue streams. And the roving chicken house’s are spectacular… okay I’m done…
Everyone was very fascinating and brought a wealth of information to the table. Who knew no till radishes was trending! Haha. Good luck with your enterprise ..
Ah! Nixon said, “Government is full of small people in big jobs”. As regulations increased, more and more small people were hired to make life miserable for the doers trying to do big things. This is why he wanted to reduce the bloated government, and also why he was shown the door. Just read Part 4 of your experience and can feel your pain. Not as prevalent today, but executive secretaries were often the squelchers of potential doers, as they had immense, self perceived power to access. It was both nauseating and maddening. Now I’ve dated myself! So enjoy following your journey…❤️🌾🌷
It's refreshing just to know people like them exist. I appreciate their values and way of life. I wish them well and you also
Thank you so much. I’m definitely a more positive person after working with them. They changed who I am for the better!
This is amazing Alexandra. We had a lot of Amish and Mennonites near where I grew up and I was always impressed by their work ethic. They had a small farmers market where we would routinely buy produce, eggs, jams, and breads. I am enjoying following your story.
There is truly so much we can learn for them! Glad you are enjoying the writing ♥️
Love this! We are building on land we bought 3 years ago. Although we are doing most of the work ourselves, we have to use the occasional contractor. The small town where we are is definitely a "good ole boy system," especially when it comes to all the contractors. Not all, but most. They are rude, mist smoke cigarettes. They swear and don't do a good job in the end. Roofer cost us $7000 on top of what we paid him to fix his mistakes. The excavator who dug, did it wrong. Tree guys broke stuff on our property.
It has been a learning curve. The general rule is everyone has to be babysat. By that I mean....watched like a hawk!
Sounds like the Amish are actually paid to just do and complete a job competently! Like it should be. Imagine that!
I unfortunately had this experience in Florida before the farm up in New York. We desperately need integrity back in our ‘modern’ society!
I'm in Alaska completely surrounded by incompetent people which in it self ok, but don't be incompetent and sell yourself as an expert.
Restores my faith in humanity. So much we can learn from their simple and joyful lives. I pray the rest of us can slow down long enough to feel and appreciate the warmth of the sun on our bodies. It's the simple things in life that are often free that we take for granted the most and do not express our gratitude to God. Connection with the Devine is the ticket to freedom and true happiness.
Amen!
Having lived in an area that doesn't have many Amish in the area (at least not that I'm aware of), thank you for shining a light into their demeanor, way of life, and general attitudes. If/when I come across them, you sharing your experiences is working to undo the negative narratives that I've been fed my whole life. Thank you, for myself and for the Amish <3
That’s one of my goals down here 🥹♥️
Awesome articles, looking forward to the next one! Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure!
Thanks for sharing all this! It’s been great to follow your journey to far 😀 Quick question: why did you choose to go for grid-electricity? Would it have been easier (planning wise) to install your own system with solar panels and batteries (for example)?
I explored that option - we don’t get enough sun and the makeshift battery setup with solar panels wouldn’t be enough to power everything I want to do here. I do have a portable solar setup I use on and off or if the grid were to go down, though!
Solar hot water is another option. We used that kind of setup (in town) for about 15 years, until the guy who installed it for us retired and we couldn't find maintenance.
Gotcha. Out of curiosity: hypothetically, say that was a viable option, would it be easier from a planning permission POV (would you need planning permission at all?) or would it not make a difference when compared to getting power lines installed from the grid?
From my experience, every single little thing about a homestead is regulated on a per-town, per-county basis. It's actually crazy how much it differs from one town to the next!
Interesting question. I think it depends on how much power you need and when. And not to forget using batteries and solarpanels is not good for the environment because of how these are made, think of lithium for the batteries and all the chemical stuff that is in inside the panels, and the energy needed to assemble them. So connecting to the already existing powergrid has its advantages, and of course its disadvantages, as she may have noticed by now in her wedding location.
Amish communities have a problem with child abuse including child sexual abuse. check out Sins of the Amish.
I’ve also run into tremendous issues with government permitting for our business in our community. I feel for you on all the painstaking effort. But great job persevering! The barn looks amazing. I love your honest reflection of the Amish community. They certainly experience much prejudice while carrying an incredible humility and work ethic about them.
I think I’ve read all of these and I’m curious, do you have living quarters in the barn? Or will that be separate?
I can FEEL you becoming a pro-business MAGA Republican. 😁😆😎. BTW, did you know that Amish and Mennonites don't vote?
I live very far away from you, in a small farm in the Brazilian mountains, close to the intersection of the states of Minas Gerais (where I live), São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro, but when I read about your problems getting electricity I felt your pain.
I got some unexpected money a while ago, and used part of it to install a solar power generation system. I sell the power I generate to the electrical company by day, and buy it back by night. Well, I got it installed pretty quickly, but the electricity company told me they wouldn't put the new metering system where the old had been for years. To make a very long story short, it took not only installing a new pole, but also getting the neighbor to agree to some wires passing over a small corner of his property... almost exactly where the old wires had always passed. It was literally a small change in angle, with the wires coming from the same place in his property to another pole a few feet away rom the old one.
Then I had to wait for the electricity company to start buying the power I generate. It took them more than a year (during most of which they almost certainly used the power I generated for free) to get them to do it, and when they eventually did they took away the discount I had always had as a small farmer. I gave them all the paperwork they asked for, but I never got the discount back. As the generation system essentially covers all the power I use, my bills were reduced to something like ten dollars a month, when they used to be around one hundred (electricity is heavily taxed in Brazil), so I eventually gave up trying to get back the small-farmer discount.
Bureaucratic nightmares are universal in Modern society.