Here’s an interesting article on a produce auction in the largest Amish settlement in Tennessee (article no longer online). The settlement of ten church districts at Ethridge, Tennessee, is a conservative Swartzentruber Amish affiliation.
So it was interesting to see local Amish contributing to this article, as well as learn that the area has something called an Amish Welcome Center with maps of farmhouses in the area with goods for sale. Even though the community may be a conservative one, they are engaging the public in the form of the media and visitors in promoting their enterprises.
I’ve not yet had a chance to visit this community but perhaps someone else has?
If you’d like to learn more on the Amish in Tennessee, read more in the Amish State Guide entry Tennessee Amish.
And, more to come from Ohio, where I just arrived last night! It’s a beautiful time of year.
The Ethridge community is an hour or so south of Nashville. Read more on Amish furniture in Nashville.
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We almost settled there in Ethridge, except we couldn’t agree on a price for a piece of land next to this auction site. Glad to see the town get some publicity. Certainly not as quaint as Holmes or Lancaster counties, but one of the nicest of Amish settlements in the southern states, IMHO. We ended up settling in an Amish section of Kentucky, but sometimes I wish we would’ve budged on our price as Ethridge is near the Alabama border and much warmer. 🙂
Amy,
What Amish section of Kentucky did you end up settling in? We spent some time in the Crab Orchard area earlier this month, but we would like to explore some other areas as well with the intention of moving the next 6 to 12 months.
Matthew, We are in Gradyville, but it’s very small. A much better settlement of Mennonites (if you are looking into homesteading) are in Liberty in an area called South Fork.
I’d be happy to pass along any info (like listings and auctions that aren’t on the internet) if you’re serious about moving soon. My email is at my blog.
We visited this community 2 years ago and befriend a man by the name of Danny Gingerich & his lovely wife, Annie. Which is John’s (the man in the article) father & mother. We write letters to each other still. It’s a wonderful community & they are a wonderful family. Danny is a master furniture maker who is very talktive to many english people. His wife Annie makes, in my humble opinion, the best strawberry jam ever! 🙂
Friends
Bless you, Michele, I am also friends with Danny and Annie Gingerich, have been for over twenty years. They are wonderful people! My family and Danny’s family have had great visits together across the years. My children loved playing with Danny and Annie’s children. I enjoyed watching Danny work in his furniture shop and getting out in the fields with him. Danny always ends his letters to me with: Over the hills and far away. Think of me, when you pray!
I too am friends with Dannie. We live in Atlanta but travel to Nashville quite often. We visit and write often. I love Dannie because he allows us into his world. He has opened his home to our family and I love to call him my friend. H
Danny Gingerich
Michelle~we visit the Ethridge community several times a year (usually every 3 months). I am trying to to place exactly where the Danny Gingerich farm is. Can you help, please?
Thanks! I love every trip we make & it takes us several days to get around to visit everyone…..best vacations I have ever taken 🙂
Danny U. Gingerich
Mr. Danny U. Gingerich lives on McDowell Rd. in Ethridge. If you stop in @ the Amish Welcome Center they will give you a free map and directions to his house.
Thank you Diann! I feel sure I have been to the house but will definitely make sure when we go back. Bishop Swartzentruber’s wife is making me a large, wide woven basket and I will be picking it up on our trip in May….I can’t wait!!
My wife and I have visited this community several times, and love it. Especially Mrs. Menno Gingrich’s store. Almost everything that can be canned can be purchased here. Sometimes Milk as well, right out of the cow. Beautiful area, but I must agree not as quaint as Lancaster County. My 6th Great Grandmother was born a Mennonite in Lancaster Co., so I feel a real connection with the county and the people. don’t pass up a chance to visit etheridge, thoug.
Our visit to Ethridge, TN Amish
We visited in the last few weeks the charming Amish community of Ethridge, TN and found the most wonderful warm people. We shopped at the individual homes and found some wonderful products. We are going back to get more of the wonderful wooden spoons I use in my cooking and canning. Very hard working people and the children are so respectful and seem to enjoy having people stop to visit and purchase their wares. Once you enter the Amish community, you get a sense of a slower time and you feel yourself relaxing. Breath of fresh air.
Menno Gingerich Store
On our last visit to Amish Country, Feb. this year I purchased a “Amish Coat” from Mrs. Menno Gingerich….I love it!! It was the 1st I had saw anywhere for sale. It’s the same as they wear (could possibly have been one of the families) and I wouldn’t take anything for it 🙂 I think this family has everything your heart desires in their store.
I really enjoy every visit we make to see all of our Amish friends!! It’s the most relaxing time I think I have ever had on a vacation. Not to mention the most imformative…our gardens are getting bigger & better all the time with all the men folk giving my husband & I so many great tips. Can’t wait to start getting all these good veggies in my own freezer & cabinets…with this economy it sure helps out.
When do they process the Molasses?
Molasses
Molasses is being cooked NOW! bought some in Ethridge yesterday afternoon!…and they accept ,we the English presence,
everyday but they do NO business on Sundays… at all. Respect it! These are good people truly committed and living out their convictions through their very lives!
Hi Jan, I do not know, but maybe someone else on this thread does?
About the “cooking” of molasses. The juice from the cane is very watery and has to be cooked down to become syrup. It is a very hot job and a true sign fall is here. If you’ve never watched them cook molasses you don’t know what you’re missing! They always have a bowl of hot molasses for you to taste.
We just visited Ethridge this last weekend and they are making syrup now. We bought several, for ourselves and to share with family and friends. Michelle and whittakerwoman – Mr Gingrich (Danny) also befriended my husband and I and we have exchanged addresses – how neat that I stumbled upon this today in hopes of locating another settlement. He was such a friendly person and I look forward to exchanging letters with him and getting to know him better. This was our first trip to an Amish settlement and we are already planning our next trip back. We have friends that go several times a year! Mike – where is Mrs. Menno Gingrich’s place – I would love to visit her on our next trip. Also, If anyone is looking for Rocking Chairs, visit Mr. Gingrich’s son Chris on East Edan – he has some beautiful pieces!
Cyndi, If you stop in at a the Welcome Center they will give you a free map of the area and directions to Mrs. Menno Gingerich’s place. Her name is Lizzie. One of the nicest ladies you’ll ever meet.
Wondering
Does anyone know what days it is open for tourists? I am guessing things are closed sunday?
Has anyone found any quilts for sale. Love to know how much.
Gift
I received a gift from one of my uncles in Alabama , it’s a beautiful hand craved Amish cane. It’s signed by Mrs Daniel Gingrich and son Daniel Gingrich. I’m wondering if it was made by the Gingrich family in Tennessee close to the Alabama border? I recieve many compliments each time I’m out abd about with this cane. I can only imagine the hard work that went into making such a beautiful cane. I love it & we will keep it in our family by passing down to many generations to come 🙂
I can’t tell you Joy but the Gingerich name is one you see in Tennessee among the Amish as well as Mississippi. So possibly someone related if not that family.
https://amishamerica.com/gingerich-basket/
Gingerich in Tennessee
Joy, Gingerich is a very common name here in Ethridge, TN. I don’t know for sure but I think it would be most likely it came from here. I know a Gingerich family on Dooley Rd that make beautiful canes. They sign theirs and I think put their address. They are very nice looking canes. I’m glad you are enjoying yours. Such a thoughtful gift.
i would like to receive information about your auction. i would like to when and where for a field trip for my residents at Windland South Retirment center in Nashville Tennessee.Thank You Kindley
Plowboy produce auction dates and times
The number for Plowboy Produce Auction is 931-829829-1114. The auctions are every Monday Wednesday and Friday at 1pm. The folks at the Amish welcome center can give you a free Amish map and directions. They also do wagon tours through the Amish community. Their number is 931-829-2433. Hope this helps.
The Amish of Ethridge, TennesseeAmish America Comment on Tennessee Amish Produce Auction (June 30th, 2010 at 21:23)
[…] on the "Amish strip", and trundle a route around the community which takes them near the local produce auction and by numerous Amish […]