(March 31, 2020 at 12:33 pm)popeyespappy Wrote: The Amish I know aren't poor. They also aren't Amish. They are Mennonite. Most of them operate businesses. Large farms, mills (including wood, grains, and cotton), cabinet/furniture shops, and retail stores. A lot of the younger ones get post secondary educations. Mechanics, machinists, welders, even nurses. I've never met a Mennonite doctor, but I'd bet there are a at least a few of them out there.
The farm business model is simple enough. They raise cash crops like corn, wheat, soy beans, and cotton. They use machinery like tractors and powered pumps irrigation so they aren't limited to man/horse power type labor. They produce most of their own fruits and vegetables. They sell the excess in season at their own community markets. They also process a lot of it and sell breads, pastries, canned products, and honey so they have goods available to sell year round. The farms are usually extended family units. They live simply so they are able to save money. When a family unit outgrows a farm they stake some of the younger generation by buying another farm and the process starts again.
Yup... Our stereotyper needs a lesson or two....
These folks vary widely - New Order, Old Order Mennonite.... Some have no electricity. Some have power in the barn for milking machines and welders...
Some have only buggys.and some communally own a van. (We see these frequently)
The husband of my ex-wife's bridesmaid was born into a Mennonite family - but left the community and went to college at WMU. (His dad paid his tuition) He still sports the Abe Lincoln look - and rides a Harley. He still goes home to his family at the holidays. He told us quite a bit about the life. Interesting guy.
