Amish People Today and Why They Continue to Thrive (2024)

I love the Amish. Everything about them screams of sustainability and self-preservation! There is much to learn from these amazing folks, let’s learn more about self-sufficiency with “Amish People Today and Why They Continue to Thrive”!

Holmes County and Amish People

I discovered the Amish about 25 years ago, when we were trying to get out of debt and get our finances in order.

If you aren’t familiar with the Amish, they are a fascinating group of people who escaped religious persecution in Switzerland and Germany to migrate to the United States in the early 18th century. They initially settled in Pennsylvania, although other waves of immigrants became established in New York, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and Holmes County, Ohio. Holmes County is home to the second-largest sect of Amish in the nation.

They are often referred to as “simple” people who all dress and wear their hair pretty much the same according to their church “order”.

They are a very hardworking population and largely take care of themselves and their elderly, as they opt out of social security benefits.

Two or three generations often live on one homestead so that grandparents can help with the children as the parents are working in the fields or otherwise.

While all of that might sound a bit counter-cultural, this Amish way of life is exactly why they have been able to thrive for centuries, without modern conveniences.

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The Amish Lifestyle is Simple Living

Most of the homes are very large, to allow for large and extended families. While there are a few exceptions, for the most part, there is little variance in the design and construction of their homes.

If you spend any time in an Amish community, you will quickly see the similarities between their homes and yards. Every single home has a clothesline, with clothes hanging out to dry very early in the morning.

Every home has a large vegetable garden, grape arbor and flower garden.

“Order” would be the word I would use to describe an Amish home.

Everything is in its place and certain “must-haves” don’t seem to be optional.

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Our family has visited “Amish Country” here in Ohio many, many times over the years, and I always learn something new.

During our trips, I’ve gone to every field trip I could find, asked a lot of questions, and bought every book I could get my hands on about the Amish. Some of my favorite Amish destinations were the ones that allowed a tour through the “Old Order” homes and the “New Order” homes to compare the differences.

If you are into sustainability, the Amish are the masters! Let’s look more into the Amish daily life!

Amish People are Entrepreneurs

Like many persecuted sects in history, the Amish have found ways to provide for themselves within their community. They trade and barter, however, they also do some business with the “English”, those who are non-Amish. It’s been a while since farming was the Amish’s main source of income, and so they’ve turned to tourism.

When you visit Holmes county, there are fabulous bed and breakfasts as well as gorgeous cabins to stay in, but be prepared to make reservations far in advance, the bests places are sometimes booked a year out. This is because Amish country is very popular during the fall and many try to visit during “peak color” seasons.

Up and down the main arteries of Berlin and Millersburg, Ohio, you will see Amish restaurants, bed and breakfasts, craft/souvenirs and quilt shops everywhere. You will also see tons of roadside stands! Many of the businesses are either Amish-owned or Amish-run, and much of what is sold is also Amish-made. Whenever you enter an Amish business, you’ll likely see bakery items being offered. The Amish are incredible bakers!

Amish people are particularly known for their craftsmanship, especially with wood. Again, there are shops everywhere offering Amish-made rocking chairs and furniture. Our family purchased a custom, Amish-made dining room set about 8 years ago, for our large family. It wasn’t cheap, but it’s an heirloom that will stay in our family for many generations to come.

Amish country has wonderful bulk food stores, where I often stock up big-time!

I’ll buy #50-100 of wheat berries at a time, as well as sugar and other non-perishables that are so reasonably priced there! You know the prices are good when you see other Amish ladies shopping there as well!

The point that I’m trying to make is that the Amish have created a niche for themselves and make an excellent living in and for their community.

They desire autonomy to practice their religion the way they choose and secure it by taking care of themselves financially.

Amish Traditions and Multi-Generational Living

Many cultures do this, and sadly I think it’s something that we’ve largely forgotten in this country.

In the last 50 years or so, manufacturing plants and corporations have moved all over the nation, taking jobs with them. People rarely work where they grew up, most of us are transplants from somewhere else. As a result, families are separated and unable to help each other.

If you dig a little deeper into it, you’ll realize that this separation of the family contributes to massive consumerism, because needs like child care and homemaking that could be available from extended family members now must be outsourced and purchased. Not to mention the fact that each family has to sustain an entirely separate household, instead of sharing expenses within one household.

The Amish place tremendous value on their elderly, as we all should. The older generation brings wisdom in terms of skills, business, farming and raising the next generation.

Working through differences and embracing their heritage keeps the family unit strong and effective. Co-habitation is just one more way the Amish thrive during bad economic times!

The Amish Build their Own Homes with Specific Sustainable Designs

The Amish build their own homes to maintain their sustainable lifestyles. Kitchens are large to keep up with cooking and preserving food for growing families. Bedrooms are small and primarily for sleeping. Gardens are a critical part of the family’s menu and are close to the house. Children are taught to work in the garden at a young age.

Again, clotheslines are close to the house as they are an important part of home keeping.

Predictability and consistency would be words I would use to describe an Amish home. There isn’t any sort of personal style that is incorporated into their homes, that isn’t something that the Amish embrace. All is done for the good of their faith and community.

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Amish Beliefs About Electricity

Amish people believe that those wires carrying electricity bring sin into their homes and they do not allow it.

Now, don’t misunderstand, because some do use gas motors and other forms of power, depending upon what order they are part of. Some are allowed to use telephones off of their property. But by and large, the Amish live “off-grid” and are very good at it.

Cheese is one of the Amish’s most popular products, and if you visit, you’ll see a lot of cheese stores. The reason for an abundance of Amish cheese is due to the fact that without refrigeration, milk spoils and something must be made of it! Cheese is the answer!

The quality of their cheese is unmatched, partly because of the quality of the milk being used for the cheese. Most Amish farmers do not use pesticides or chemicals (although most are not certified organic) and so the cows graze on healthy, chemical-free grass. Amish cheese-makers also use time-honored methods and don’t rush the process. Gussisberg Cheese, one of the larger cheese shops, has large windows so that you can watch cheese being made, it’s pretty cool.

If you’re wondering where the Amish shop, Lehman’s is a “non-electric” store that was founded in Holmes County.

There you will find all types of oil lamps, candles, wood stoves, books, water pumps and a zillion ways to maintain an “off grid” lifestyle. We’ve been there and it’s one amazing place!

Amish People Maintain Low Personal Overhead

The pressure we feel to stay in a job or career that we hate is due to bills, right?

Well, another way the Amish thrive during bad economic times is that they are masters at keeping their overhead at a minimum.

They build their own homes, using labor from not only family, but also community.

Building supplies are likely secured through intimate ties within the community, and through bartering.

This alone eliminates a mortgage and electricity payment.

Amish people do not carry insurance of any kind, that I’m aware of, eliminating another bill.

They grow their own food, they make their own clothes and they provide their own entertainment.

Of course, the Amish use money and purchase things, but as you can see, their overhead is much lower than the average American.

We could all learn a lot from the way the Amish run their homes!

Amish Lifestyle is Recession-Proof

If you are truly interested in a sustainable lifestyle, you need to check out an Amish community. I have never regretted the time I’ve spent up there.

Again, fall is a gorgeous time to visit and I recommend staying a whole weekend. Go to the attractions, ask questions and definitely visit Lehman’s.

You’ll be more sustainable just for having been there!