Survival Skills I Learned From Visiting Amish Country
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Hello,
Me and my family just got back from a couple days of visiting Amish Country here in Ohio. It was a good family getaway. We stayed in an old farm house way out in the woods.
We had a pond and had fun just spending time together as a family with limited electronics.
You might be wondering why an article about Amish Country is on a website about being prepared but you will understand that here in a minute.
On one of our outings during our trip we went to a place called Walnut Creek Farms. This was a great place where you can get pulled on a wagon while you feed animals that come up to your wagon.
They also had houses you could go into where they had canning equipment and many jars of food and could see the amish lifestyle and how an amish family lives.
After we walked out of that house my son turned to me and said “The Amish are already ready for the apocalypse because it is already their way of life.”
What he meant by that was that they are already self-sufficient so when disaster strikes they are ready for it.
That brought to mind thoughts I have had before that with all the technology we have, instead of going forward we have actually gone backwards with being able to provide for ourselves.
Here Are The 3 Survival Skills I Learned From Visiting Amish Country
How will you hold up in a power outage?
Let’s dive into that last sentence. Think back to the last time your power went out for an extended amount of time.
How many people around you where prepared and knew how to survive on their own without electricity?
Where I live when the power goes out for long periods of time some people are prepared but the majority are in panic mode.
Now imagine that happening for a long period of time. This could happen for any number of reasons. Natural disasters, war, and emp’s to name a few.
The point is that we have become so dependent on technology that when it isn’t available we don’t know how to survive without it.
I am just as guilty with this. I like my comforts and can’t wait for the electric to come back on when it goes out.
Major wind storm……..
The week before we went to Amish country they had a major wind storm and as we drove around we saw the aftermath in many places.
There where tons of trees down and you could see where many of the roads where closed off by fallen trees. I was very glad that we hadn’t booked our trip for the previous week.
Seeing all this damage though made me think about how it affected the Amish.
I know there are different orders of Amish (from old order to mennonites) and that it can vary greatly on what they are or are not allowed to use.
For example one group of Amish people may be able to use gas powered farm equipment but others are not. For the most part though they seem to be self-sufficient.
As we drove by all the amish farms we could see farm animals, large gardens, and homesteads. So let’s think about this storm hitting and how it would affect us verse our amish friends.
How would this affect us?
First let’s think about how it would affect us. Let’s say some large trees have fallen that have taken out the power lines and blocking our way out of our driveway.
If it where June or JJuly we would have to think of a way to stay cool and keep our food in our refrigerator from spoiling.
Most Americans only have 72hrs worth of food in their house so you would have to figure out a way to get out of your driveway to go find food somewhere.
This could be very difficult because there could be trees down in other places along the road.
Depending on how far-reaching the power outage is there might not be any stores nearby to get food. This could become a desperate situation quickly if you hadn’t prepared in any way.
From the Amish perspective……
Let’s look at the same situation from the Amish perspective. First off they don’t rely on the power grid so the fact of the power being out wouldn’t affect their lively hood immediately.
A lot of the Amish we saw had solar panels on their house so the loss of power would not affect them at all.
Secondly a lot of them had gardens and livestock on their farms. Not being able to get to the grocery store wouldn’t affect them very much. They have their own grocery store in their back yards.
On top of being self-sufficient I have learned that in the Amish culture they tend to be very community oriented. They help each other out when needed.
So like I talked about in a previous article, it is important to have people around you so you can work as a team in the event of an emergency.
The Amish already do this in their every day lives so they are one step ahead.
When faced with a power outage and blocked driveway, the average American would find themselves in a challenging situation. With only 72 hours’ worth of food in their homes, the need to venture out in search of sustenance becomes critical. However, obstacles like fallen trees along the road and limited access to nearby stores could quickly turn this into a desperate ordeal for the unprepared.
Now, let’s view this same scenario from the perspective of the Amish community. Unaffected by power grid failures due to their self-reliance, they continue to go about their daily lives without missing a beat. Their homes, equipped with solar panels, ensure a constant source of energy even during blackouts. While the rest of society fumbles in the darkness, they bask in the warm glow of their own sustainable power.
But it’s not just electricity that sets them apart. The Amish have cultivated a deep connection with the land, believing in a literal interpretation and application of Scripture as the Word of God. Their gardens and livestock provide them with an abundance of fresh produce and sustenance.
While others scramble to find groceries amidst empty store shelves, the Amish simply step into their own backyard grocery stores. The Amish, along with the Mennonites, the Brethren, and the other “Plain People” of the Pennsylvania Dutch Country, have chosen to live differently from most Americans by embracing a simpler way of life. You will often see their horses and buggies on our local roads.
Yet, perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the Amish survival skills lies in their sense of community and their deep-rooted commitment to their faith. Unlike the individualistic nature of modern society, the Amish exemplify the power of collective strength and support, guided by their own interpretations of the Bible. When faced with a challenge such as a blocked driveway or other tasks, it is not just one person’s burden to bear.
Instead, the entire community rallies together, lending each other a helping hand, guided by their shared values and teachings from the Bible. This strong sense of community is evident in the education system as well, where Amish children attend one-room schoolhouses through the eighth grade, receiving a formal Amish education that includes learning important life skills and participating in household chores.
In Amish country, it’s not uncommon to witness neighbors assisting one another in clearing fallen trees or navigating through treacherous roads. This level of camaraderie and willingness to lend a hand ensures that no household is left stranded or isolated in times of need. It’s a beautiful reminder of the importance of building strong bonds with our neighbors and relying on each other for support, just like the Middletown Piecemakers Quilt Guild at the Quilt Shop at Miller’s.
They too come together to support a worthy cause, creating colorful handmade quilts and other Amish crafts that brighten the lives of those in need. Additionally, you can see and purchase hand-made Amish furniture at many of the local shops throughout Lancaster County, the heart of Pennsylvania’s Amish country.
Furthermore, the Amish have honed their craftsmanship skills over decades, allowing them to create and repair essential items without relying on outside resources. From woodworking to quilting, they possess a wide range of practical skills that enable them to thrive even in the absence of modern conveniences.
Their commitment to simplicity and sustainability also plays a vital role in their survival. By living deliberately, they are able to minimize waste and maximize resourcefulness.
In conclusion there are 3 things we can learn from the Amish.
- Be self-sufficient as much as you can. I know we are all in different situations but it would be nice to not have to rely on the electrical grid or food supply chain in the case of an emergency.
- Have a community of people around you that can help each other out in case of emergency. This is a good thing in everyday life also because relationships are important. Our society tries to make us more and more isolated but relationships bring us belonging and joy.
- Be hard workers. The Amish seem to be very hard workers(from the amish farmer all the way down to the amish children) and from what I have learned recently is that the harder you work for something the more fulfilling it is.
Thanks for reading about our Amish adventures.
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