It was just said "if the Amish can make a wholesome living with their
basic/sustainable methods then that's just dandy."
I work pretty closely with both Amish and Mennonite communities. They
snicker when I tell them some English think they do not use pesticides,
herbicides, and artificial fertilizers. In fact, they use all of each that
they can afford. Don't think you will see Amish hoeing corn, it just
doesn't happen. From raw pastures, the first treatment is with Roundup,
then plowed and a cover crop. Then seeded and a pre-emergent herbicide, and
finally GMO corn (which is duly shocked). The second year they will use
no-till planting. That is, the Amish community near here.
Mennonite's, of course, are far more likely to use mechanical devices and
some even use tractors, combines, etc. but still no electricity in their
homes. Others have community telephones with different extensions for voice
mail messages on incoming.
All that said, they are probably much better stewards of land than we
English as they produce very little more than what they need to sustain
themselves and their communities. But I would not like to live like
them. I believe their average life span right now (in America) is some 20
years lower than ours; mumps, measles and chickenpox are still common
childhood diseases (with all the problems they bring to the adult
community); home births are normal; sometimes they will not accept special
care for handicapped (Downs Syndrome) children; death due to tetanus is not
uncommon, etc.
Those who wish for 'the good old days' sometimes do not really know what
those days involved.
Lloyd
--
Lloyd Spear
Owner Ross Rounds, Inc.
Manufacture of equipment for round comb honey sections,
Sundance Pollen Traps, and producer of Sundance custom labels.
Contact your dealer or www.RossRounds.com
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