Amish on the Farm

Here is my work progress:



"...We farm the way we do because we believe in nurturing and supporting all our community - that includes people as well as land and wildlife" (Kline 1990). The farming practices used by today's Amish farm families have developed over 300 years and sustained the Amish as one of the most persistent and successful subcultures in North America (Stinner et al. 1989; 1992).









Holsteins are the dominant dairy animal, although a few Amish farmers prefer smaller breeds such as Jerseys (Guernseys are preferred but existing gene lines do not meet with Amish farmer approval). Horses and cows all have names such as Tom, Barney, Maggie, Tony, and Linda and this helps both to identify and create a close bond with individual animals.

The Amish still tend, as a rule, to pay attention to the signs of nature as a planting guide in the spring rather than following solely the date on the calendar. For example, clover is best sown when the ground reaches a "honeycombed" state brought about by the freezing and thawing of the soil.