A farmer works in the fields in the Arthur Illinois Amish community. Courtesy of Walter Blackledge.
I spoke with Abe in Lancaster County today. He is doing what many farmers are right now–planting. In his case, eggplants and Romaine lettuce. And tomatoes of course. As we’ve discussed in the past, intensive produce farming has become a good alternative for Amish in areas where land is expensive.
Farming is still seen among Amish in Illinois, but not to the same degree as was once the case. Small business has become a popular way of making a living in Arthur and other Illinois Amish communities.
Amish at Arthur run a variety of shops (dry goods, repair, machine) as well as doing construction and carpentry work. The busiest and most prominent industry in the Arthur Amish community, however, is woodworking. Read more about Illinois Amish furniture, including a listing of Amish furniture retailers in the state.
A guide to Illinois Amish communities
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I found your blog the other day! Very interesting stuff here. I live in the south and near a draft horse farm. I worked a lot last summer with them and fell in love with horse farming. Planting is going on here, too. About a month ago I helped my horse farming friends put in a field of oats and spelts. Looking forward to reading more of the info you have here!
Eagerly awaiting the book. I can’t wait 😀
Welcome Abigail! I hope you enjoy what you find. And Helen I am happy to hear it. I hate to bring it up but I checked and UK release apparently isn’t until Mar 31, maybe you were aware of that?
But maybe it will be out sooner. I was in a Barnes and Noble today and saw that copies were already available (right up front on the new releases table)!
i went to my egg lady in nebraska amish country yesterday, just to drop off empty egg boxes and every single farmer was out in the fields, ploughing. not planting just yet, but reading (sorry, retting) the land … will check out next week and see what has gone in. it was so majestic, seeing those magnificent horses drawing the plows … at one farm there were these three little boys, dressed exactly like dad, just as cute as cute can be.
I’ve read the Amish are actually very cruel to animals, and are big time money makers with horrible Puppy mills. The horses look good, but making money off these poor dogs is heathen not christian.
You have a very informative site. My family and I have been attending an Amish church and staying with several different families for a few years now. (I havent given up my internet obviously) One of our sons lived with a family for awhile also. One of the familys are our childrens God parents. Our Amish church family has been a blessing to be apart of but being on the outside looking in is MUCH different than being on the inside looking out. Yes there is a huge appeal for the the simplistic ways of the Amish living but there is SO much more to it than that and its all much deeper in meaning.