Visiting the Most Conservative Amish (Swartzentruber)

I take you inside a woodworking shop run by a member of the plainest and most conservative Amish - the Swartzentruber Amish. Despite what you might think, they are quite approachable folks and I was able to film at several businesses. The owner of this shop, Gideon, makes several products, one of which I'd never seen before.
This is my 100th video since starting the channel in April 2021 - thanks to everyone for your support!
Read more:
Who are the Swartzentruber Amish? amishamerica.c...
About this NC community: amishamerica.c...
Inside a Swartzentruber home: amishamerica.c...
If you'd like to visit Gideon's workshop, here are the details. This is one of the few Amish communities that doesn't permit any sort of phone whatsoever. So you either need to show up or write a letter 🙂
Gideon H. Hershberger
Porch Rockers & Cutting Boards
2982 Hollis Road
Ellenboro, NC 28040
Related videos:
Visiting a New Amish Community: • This Amish community s...
What I Bought at 6 Amish Stores: • What I Bought at 6 Ami...
My name is Erik Wesner and I'm not Amish. Back in 2004, I met the Amish while selling books. Since then, I've visited 5,000+ Amish homes & dozens of Amish communities. My book on Amish business, Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive, was published in 2010. I run the Amish America website: amishamerica.com/

[@AmishAmerica]

This is my 100th video since starting the channel in April 2021 - big thanks everyone! 👍👍Also 2 things - the other guys who were there working on the buggy fired up the saw mid-video. So I had to drop the volume. Hope that didn't startle anybody 🙂And if you'd like to visit Gideon's workshop, I left his details in the video description 👍

[@marylee7467]

Congratulations on hitting 100 videos. 🎉🎉

[@johnquest2268]

I've watched every single one my friend so just keep them comming.

[@Nanner823]

Congratulations!

[@jeffcrone777]

CONGRATULATIONS !!! 🎉

[@kimfleury]

I've gotten used to such mid-video alterations as the channel Working Horses with Jim sometimes records in his Amish neighbors' shops, and you can't very well interfere with their work. At least you lowered the volume and added subtitles. Jim is my age and not focused on tech tricks -- he's a logger and farmer.

[@zalkona5051]

That’s beautiful work. Made to last a lifetime. Just yesterday we were out camping in a part of Lancaster county in a tiny town called Holtwood and while driving around the area I definitely got the feeling that the Amish presence was even stronger than it had been in years passed. Lots more farms that are now Amish owned as well as many small businesses. The scenery in that area is stunning. In some areas you can see for miles!

[@isaweesaw]

Brings me back to woodworking lessons at school. I have to admit, these handcrafted things look and function way better than what you get in the shops

[@mrs.g.9816]

Such beautiful workmanship! I hope Gideon's shop continues to do very well and his community will thrive.

[@zachsmith8916]

I’ve never heard an Amish person with an Appalachian accent. That’s pretty interesting hearing an Amish person that sounds like one of my neighbors.

[@jeannetteelizabeth144]

Such beautiful cutting boards! I have a tray table from one of the shops in Bird-in-Hand, PA, and I just love it; everything is made so well by the Amish! It was nice that he did not mind being interviewed. I hope he does well with his new business. 😊

[@susiecox8413]

Hi Erik, Gideon does beautiful work and it would last a life time. I love the rocker and at a pretty good price I think, it is a beauty and would be worth every penny I'm sure. Thanks for sharing.

[@vallis1469]

You may now know that the kitchen tool some of us use for making sauerkraut, pounding the cabbage/salt mixture into the Canning Jars. It can be used for other thing, obviously...but kraut is most often what it's used for. Can your audience purchase the cutting boards through the mail? I'd love to have several. Thanks for the video. It's always fun to be here. (Oh, great!...I see we need to write him personally to purchase something. Thanks so much.)

[@wilfhoward2913]

Fantastic price on the rocker

[@lindaedwards9756]

Beautiful wood work ! I’ve seen some similar and they are generally pretty pricey. These are definitely fairly priced . Beautiful, beautiful work. I live in upstate SC and get up to western NC 4-6 times a year so I hope to get to visit at some point.

[@TheLizardKing1967]

Swiss German Craftsmanship at it's finest. Only the BEST! Great video Erik!!

[@marylee7467]

I really enjoyed this one, I love wood furniture. The rocking chair was right up my alley. I like how the wood on the seat curved. I wish this man well, he seems to have his sights on what he wants to make and how he wants to grow his business. I'm in VA, but I love a real southern accent, he sounded sweet if that even makes sense. Lol. It was so nice of you to post his address in case others are interested. I'm assuming it's all done by mail. Or do they have a website? I know that many Amish businesses do. Thanks for posting and looking forward to seeing the other shops. Actually adding on: I'm assuming no website as I realized you would have listed it. Duh 😊

[@AmishAmerica]

This trip was a lot of fun! This was the first time I met Gideon, we were actually heading to another Amishman's place I know and passed Gideon's lane (the signs are usually a giveaway) so we pulled in (brother Alex was along and driving this time 🙂). He would probably mostly have people coming by the place, these Amish are so plain that they don't even have phones outside of the home they can use (like a lot of Amish do). Glad you liked it and as someone from the South I also always enjoy these rich accents 👍

[@wade6523]

The older I get the more fascinating that life seems.

[@adamhawkins3036]

I know exactly how you feel

[@an0therdimensi0n99]

amen to both of yall. in my mid 40s now and i have squished 9 lifetimes into these decades. i've touched everything there is to touch and have seen it all. the soul is searching for something the amish cherish and something us average joe types really dont have: structure. we kinda slap pants on every day, clock in, pat our kids on the ass send em on their way with no real fulfilling dreams. okay dad worked in that hot ass factory for 35 years to keep the lights on...but now what, so what. still something missing. ironically, WE have the cart before the horse and the amish are plugged in to that thing that is missing in our wage slaving lives. i know, that was well put and borderline poetic. it's because i am tapped in to them feelings

[@tuyuan9248]

I had a friend that was almost obsessed with Amish living. He never made it out of his lifestyle and committed suicide. Makes me think I need to consider a lifestyle closer to the Amish. Maybe there is wisdom in their simple way

[@adamhawkins3036]

@@tuyuan9248 i partially agree with that..they work hard the amish do and i appreciate that.. but their ways are not all that simple ya see..they are governed by man made laws of the ordinances of the founder jacob ammon or amin pardon my spelling..but the rules change all the time today your allowed to have certain things n do certain things next week could be a 180..simple living like farm work is a fine thing but all the man made rules are no good

[@cindynielson4231]

OMG Gideon's cutting boards are beautiful. It is a long way from AZ to NC. I wish he had an Esty shop but I'm sure that is forbidden. I love the made in USA! TFS 💯👍👏

[@KameraShy]

Not necessarily. It might be forbidden for them to directly operate an Etsy shop but possibly sell through a third party distributor. Each community has its own rules and allowances.

[@starletsatori8933]

I love living near the Amish in Lancaster County! I shop their farms for most of my food. Especially happy to support them with all the crazy things going on today.

[@toddjohnson271]

We may all end up living like the amish whether we want to, or not!

[@jerryvincent8402]

Love your videos. As I have mention last summer my grandson and myself visited a Amish bakery and purchased a few items.They are very grateful people!🇺🇸🐻

[@concorkery8496]

been following your channel for a while now, I don't really know why actually. I'm non religious but I think that i really am interested and admire your friends' communities. This is all totally alien to me personally here in Ireland because around these parts we have the usual suspects and culprits knocking on our doors asking for a happy chat about four or five times a year but, Amish are Very Cool because they just don't do that. They do their own thing in their own way and they actually have some very solid skills and traditions that I admire about their culture ! Well naturally We wouldn't like to share a lifetime together but it's really good that someone like you can relay their essence our to the wider community that we all share! Keep up the good work 👏

[@AmishAmerica]

Thanks Con - glad if the channel resonated on some level. And I bet a lot of Amish I know would be curious to learn about Irish culture. I have Polish roots and often get questions about Europe etc.

[@concorkery8496]

@@AmishAmerica I'd be happy to share in my own limited way! You were very kind to overlook my terrible typos in that last message. Its much appreciated and a good sign about you personally. I doubt the Amish communities would ever have any serious interest in this part of the world but, I admire them none the less! Personally, I look forward to to next video :)

[@timhower3628]

The Amish guy has a Southern accent.

[@AmishAmerica]

Many if not all of these people are from the parent community in Ethridge, TN. Southern accents like music to my ears :)

[@PepperDarlington]

We got Amish down here bud 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Jay-iz6lq]

That was really nice of you to advertise for him!

[@candyrenee2152]

This was a fun video. I love shop tours and this reminded me of that! Thanks Erik.

[@ajcates9136]

Nice work

[@gradyshades6535]

Thank you first of all for this channel, I really have no idea how I found it but I’m thankful I did. I live about 30 minutes from this place and had no idea about it. We went and spent some time there today, and I can honestly say this has been a day that I will remember for a long time to come. Gideon is a fine man and I look forward to returning there to get some more items from him to pass down to my granddaughters. I learned a little about the Amish today and over the past few weeks, but what I have learned about myself in this time is what has amazed me most. I can’t thank you enough for this, if you ever wonder if any of this makes a difference in anyones life I can tell you it has and you do. Thank you.

[@nancyaustin9516]

Love seeing the handcrafts, woodworking, and so forth--much appreciated.

[@joannearmstrong1625]

Beautiful wood!

[@hardcorehunter9438]

Thats what she said

[@robertfletcher3421]

Those boards are beautiful and I like the bug hole that is left in place. Thanks for taking us there.

[@AmishAmerica]

It does add character

[@wisewomanhealing]

I need that thing to the left of the cutting boards to tamp down my sauerkraut!

[@kellyhanson140]

i saw some amish around springfield MO and i'm curious about them. I don't get too far into Missouri very often but it was interesting seeing them in a buggy going along the side of the busy highway. Everyone seemed to be good about moving over so they had plenty of room at least.

[@rachelallen8853]

Love these videos.

[@larrycreed5049]

I have several Old Order Amish friends in Parke County (Rockville, IN. ) The settlement is not very old as the first Amish moved into the area in 1993 . I have driven Amish friends to visit ill family members several states away. I have attended and participated in their frolics and taken them to seek far off medical attention in the state. So far there are 14 Amish school systems in the area. The Amish here are Pennsylvania Dutch Old Order and they are very tolerant of the other Amish sects and the English. It was amusing to watch this video and listen to an Amish man with a distinctive southern drawl.

[@JHabc]

His work is so beautiful. We don’t have enough skilled craftspeople who can make and build things with their hands. I’ve been trying to repair a pair of chairs that are very similar to the glider that’s in all the shots of the rocker he made. They belonged to my grandparents and have a lot of sentimental value, but the glider is unusable. If he was nearby, I would be delighted to hire him to repair it. I can tell he would do an amazing job.

[@MAM-cy3yy]

Amish speaking with a Southern accent and a subtitle. Love this stuff.

[@Thankful_.]

The wooden canning smasher is amazing!

[@myboibill]

This is a very enjoyable video. I’ve seen all of your videos and look forward to them. This one for some reason made me feel that I was back in the 19th century more than any of the other Amish videos. If you run into I believe his name is Herman again you should let him know that the price of his rockers are actually cheap. Up here in Vermont I’ve seen similar work shop made rockers that are all hand done as well and they’re selling well in excess of $450. Which still isn’t a lot of money for something that he had done and will last for hundreds of years. If Herman and his family would make a glider I would be one of his first customers as they are all but impossible to buy even in bad condition. There is nothing nicer than a front porch day or night and spending an hour in a glider. Congratulations on 100 videos. You are one of the best voices and olive KZbin.

[@AmishAmerica]

Very kind of you and that is interesting to hear about pricing for similar rockers in your area. I will say in general when you buy direct from Amish craftsmen, and especially in plainer communities where costs of living tend to be lower for one, the prices can be quite favorable. Appreciate you taking the interest in my vids and hope you'll enjoy the next ones from this community 👍

[@katherinekinnaird4408]

Beautiful woodworking thank you

[@AmishAmerica]

I'll be showing more of the woodworking tools they use in another video, it's pretty interesting 👍

[@thejourney1369]

He does beautiful work. That item for packing food into canning jars is a really good idea. My Mom just used a spoon. I can still hear that spoon as it hit the sides of the can. This seems like it would work much better.

[@janking2762]

That’s also used for packing sauerkraut into jars.

[@thejourney1369]

@@janking2762 I forgot about that! My grandmother had something like that when she made sauerkraut.

[@karenfaries5056]

Love the wood work it's so well made beautiful.

[@lilbatz]

Admire the hustle, and wish Iived closer to buy a few of those beautiful cutting boards.

[@FrogeniusW.G.]

I would love to have one of those rocking chairs! ♡

[@TheMtggrl]

I love handmade and Gideon certainly has wonderful woodworking skills, I'd love one of those cutting boards and heck yeah to a rocker. I have a friend who has a Summer home in Upstate New York on Lake Seneca, they had all of the cabinetry handmade by an Amish cabinet worker who lives locally in that area. I was surprised to find that they had a community there, but its such beautiful country I totally understand why they would want to farm there. The cabinets were stunning, unfortunately they had some pipes freeze and burst in their home while they were away for a few months, when they came back they had to gut the house and start all over, I don't know if they were able to wait for the Amish cabinetry on the rebuild, but I can say the workmanship of the originals was stunning. They were pricey, but worth every penny. Thank you for sharing these types of little shops with us, I'm on the West Coast and we have no Amish in California, but if I ever make my way to an area with Amish, I will see out these crafters, especially as a crafter myself, I love to support these businesses.

[@raethibodeau9604]

Funny when you showed that tool for canning, the first thing I thought before I knew what it was is that I could use it when I make sauerkraut. I've never made sauerkraut, but I bought 2 heads of cabbage and I'm going to give it a shot. I know you have to smash it down. I need to take a trip to NC for one of those smashing tools. 😊 Thanks for sharing the address.

[@emmib1388]

why not consider sending him a note and seeing if you can order it by mail? Keep in mind, however, the shipping might be a bit much due to the size.

[@droolbunnyxo9565]

Nice woodworking skills. And his chair prices are very reasonable. A flimsy or less refined production-line rocker made overseas would cost $200 or more to buy. (Did not know there were Amish in NC but do understand the appeal. The western side of the state has gorgeous rolling mountain areas & plenty of lumber to work with. I wish them much success rebuilding their community :)

[@BarbB315]

Congratulations on your 100th video. Love your channel.

[@AmishAmerica]

Thank you!

[@TracieSmithpomeranian]

Gorgeous!

[@militaryhomes6292]

Sauerkraut masher! I need one of those!

[@susanschuck8124]

Wish he did mail order. Id love to order a cutting board but I live in Pennsylvania! Great video.

[@emmib1388]

write him an note and ask -- he may do it for you -- it will just cost you shipping and depending on the weight may add a hefty price -- check with the USPS for freight charges before mailing him a letter!

[@wordawakeningny]

Great video Mr. Wesner. I'm originally from Northern Spartanburg County, South Carolina, just about 30 minutes from Rutherford County. When I go see my family again I'll have to visit this community.

[@AmishAmerica]

I recommend it- not a huge community, but there are several Amish places to stop

[@larrylewis3573]

Dear Erik, Ah yes, another good video. You give us such a range of topics. I really do appreciate this. And, you do it all with such care. I am a strong follower of the traditional Amish. This video was right down my alley. Very sensitively presented. Like others, I relish the accent. I also confess that I enjoy your accent, Erik. I find myself trying to duplicate your accent, especially the word “home”. Keep up the good work. As you can see, you have a faithful group of followers. Sincerely, Larry Clarence Lewis, Ontario, Canada.

[@AmishAmerica]

Thank you much Larry! My accent kinda fluctuates, I think, and I've felt a bit more "southern" coming out since I've been more in NC lately. Btw I just found an Amish home for sale in Ontario, listed online. Am right now doing a post on it for the website 👍 Amish homes are often listed online but this is the first I've seen in Canada

[@southernoregoncatmom6519]

Very nice workmanship on the cutting boards.

[@FrogeniusW.G.]

Dear Erik, what do you think about maybe doing a *cooperation* with some Amish handcrafters and *distribute/ship* their stuff to all the people that love their high quality but aren't able to visit them theirselves? I think that would be great! 😄♡ Many youtubers have a merchandise pages, so you could sell sth. even better together with your amish friends ! 😊 I love the idea. 😁 Btw. what is a hope chest? *Congrats* on your 100th video! They're great. I like your down to earth way a lot. 😊♡

[@DollyJohanne]

Congratulations on your hundred videos, and thank you for sharing! This is such a beautiful work, and if I lived close I would invested in a cutting board that would probably have a lifetime worth. Johanne, Norway 🇳🇴

[@RockinRavenVA]

Wow, that the first time I've heard an Amish speaking with a southern accent. Super cool video, congrats on #100! Here's to the next 100...

[@MarB3942]

I enjoyed your video. I like the new format....you taking us on a tour of the business. Keep up the good work 👏

[@minimalistmom388]

If I ever go to nc I’ll stop by the community. I love the Amish people. The only one in my state (ms) is the old order sect like this one. Very nice people tho. My family works and buys things from them all the time.

[@captainamericaamerica8090]

AMISH WON'T LOVE YOU BACK. THEY DON'T LIKE OUTSIDERS= THEY PUT ON A FALSE SMILE BECAUSE THEY WANT ONLY YOUR MONEY 💰💰💰💰TRUST US. MY FAMILIES HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH AMISH FOR MANY GENERATIONS. YOU WON'T GET THE TRUTH HERE. BECAUSE THIS GUY MAKES MONEY OFF THIS. WE'RE HONEST! WE HAVE NO VESTED INTERESTS HERE. HE DOES!!

[@philsajtar7487]

Another great video ,& Congrats on it being #100 ! That stuffer for canning would get used here a lot ! Looks like its time to fire up the wood lathe. I have a larger one made from oak that I use in my meat grinder.

[@lesliekendall5668]

When we were little girls my Gpa made us a rocking chair with a music box mounted on one of the rockers and every time you'd rock it would push a metal peg up and strike the musical tines inside. I think my mom still has it.

[@raethibodeau9604]

Congratulations on your 100th video. They've all been entertaining, interesting and informative. Keep up the great work.

[@AmishAmerica]

Thank you Rae!

[@stephenwinter8892]

Greetings from southern Ontario Canada home of several amish groups living in st Jacob's elmira and Elora and surrounding areas and the old order Mennonite peoples very private and proud behind the times but obviously happy with their lifestyle even though they realize that progress is happening with the rest of the world just them stuck in a time zone

[@fluffyotter1601]

Always enjoy your videos……fascinating:)

[@josephrobichaud5198]

The biggest thing I think I take away from all your wonderful video's is dispelling all the myths about the Amish! What I find interesting is with all the poop going on in the world far more people are thinking they may have been right all along, :)

[@riggs20]

I love those cutting boards! Especially the first one. I know they wouldn’t appreciate this, but some of their work I would even consider art.

[@FrogeniusW.G.]

It is!

[@rosalindlively677]

Wonderful video. Thank you.

[@bonnieriecke5199]

Very nice workmanship

[@lynnbiden5509]

Gorgeous work! Wish I had those skills.

[@weibherrman]

Great stuff thanks for getting their word out!

[@sweetpeach3649]

You should visit the Nebraska Amish sometime

[@AmishAmerica]

I know some people in that community but no video yet. Nice idea

[@elizabethbare4208]

I want one of those canning jar stuffers! So cool. I can a lot

[@BootsandBountyHomestead]

Wow, that stuff is cheap compared to Mennonites here in west TN! That's awesome! I need some items from him!

[@pamelas1002]

Congrats on 100 videos! Thank you for enlightening all of us!

[@AmishAmerica]

Thank you, my pleasure!

[@theperson2346]

The cutting boards are very nice. If they had groves on the edges to catch liquids though, they would be even better.

[@DarDarBinks1986]

Those cutting boards remind me of one that I made in wood shop back when I was in 12th grade. I don't have that cutting board because I gave it to a girl I liked at the time. I like how he mixed different types of wood for those cutting boards. Hope that guy does well with his woodworking business.

[@johnquest2268]

I have several Amish made things and can say they are very well made and his price is a very fair one.

[@AmishAmerica]

I actually got a deal on the cutting board I got - he'd need to charge more for that type of board, he said. This was the first one of that kind he'd done - so it was priced lower than it normally would. But, I think still reasonable for the craftsmanship and quality wood used here. The board I got really is beautiful and I'll love having it around

[@johnquest2268]

@@AmishAmerica I have 2 rockers and a very unique hat stand from a Amish furniture store in Berne Indiana. If this young man can get some exposure he'll do well.

[@candyeolney30]

Not a bad price at all for a beautiful handmade oak rocker. I’d love to have one!

[@emsdiy6857]

💥💥✝️✝️✝️🙏I would love if you would do a video on their church theology please, thank you for the videos!

[@AmishAmerica]

I have done a good number on that topic - here is the most recent, on their beliefs on the new birth/assurance of salvation kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6qnoq1pd5ilm5I Check out the "Amish Beliefs" playlist on the channel for more. Thanks for watching!

[@Stache987]

There are so many variants, two communities a hours (car) drive away from each other may practice differently. One thing is common, communal church is passed from house to house each week, all the females prepare the food while men might be working, and either before or after the service they would eat.

[@lynnamarsh6384]

never ever let go of a piece of real wood. no matter if its made into something or not. its beautiful.

[@FrogeniusW.G.]

Wood is the best material God invented. ☆

[@jeanholley5820]

Love his signs, made me giggle.

[@Stache987]

I wanted to say something about his signs, you would think working in wood, he would make better ones, but maybe his expertise is just half the equation. Maybe someone could make him a sign, and take it to him, he might trade a rocker for it.

[@AmishAmerica]

These are classic Swartzentruber community signs - simple hand-lettering, or you'll see stenciled boards that are rotated out say at homes which sell produce & other foods - "Tomatoes"; "Eggs" etc. based on what's available. I for one love the simplicity 🙂

[@fyrekrystaal27]

I wish I could buy a cutting board from him. Those are some of the most pretty cutting boards. I wish I could get one of the hope chests

[@emmib1388]

consider contacting him by mail to see if he will mail it -- consider you would have to pay postage and that may be quite expensive due to the weight.

[@ericahoelscher3733]

Conversation on end grain and wormy maple LOL 🤣

[@AmishAmerica]

We try to keep it intriguing! 😄 I did learn a couple things I have to admit

[@kennybolt8329]

I take my mules to a guy named Moses in that community to get them shod. Got to go there next Thursday the seventh. Does a good job and is very reasonable. His wife makes some mighty good turnover pies.

[@bridgetintheukraine]

I'm glad they are charging decent prices for their work

[@KiltedDaddyBear]

Well, Conservative doesn't mean stupid. He's been influenced for these products, and likely from the woodworking craftsmen. You can some of those here on your-tube.

[@oldfarmshow]

👍👍

[@rickkijohns1408]

Does Gideon's Porch and Rockers & Cutting Boards ship?

[@cabinvibesebaystore8956]

New sub ! Liked 😀🙏👍

[@darlenealvarado2875]

Amish are very Crafty people I own a Fireplace made by the Amish here in Colorado I love it ..👍

[@krismarsiglia9095]

I love these boards! Do they ever ship???

[@Diligent-dp7gi]

I used to live in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; so it sounds strange/funny to hear Amish with Southern accents.

[@michellesunshinestar]

I have a very nice rocking chair in my living room my dad got for me for Christmas one year. I don't know where it was made.

[@amandadickson5975]

Aw I’d love to shop in there

[@Pur9leRain]

If only he would ship to the UK. I’d buy the rocking chair and the chopping boards in different sizes.

[@Automedon2]

That guy's prices are very reasonable.

[@margiestephens8977]

Just a word of encouragement to keep doing what you are doing. I so enjoy all your informative videos & hearing your conversations. I live in a quiet, rural setting in central AL but am considering moving to Rutherford County. I am a widow & feel life would be easier in a closer knit community. It's hard to find qualified help getting things done here but feel the Amish/Mennonite communities would feel more like home for me. Again, thank you for all your informative info

[@AmishAmerica]

Thank you - this area struck me as quite rural and a peaceful place to live (my pet peeve lately is traffic). I recommend maybe at least making a visit, not a ton of Amish there but it appears to be growing

[@D38401]

I'm close to Ethridge. I believe there was a accident in the area recently. Involved 4 teens. 2 local and 2 from Ohio.

[@Robert_Sparkman_01]

It's amusing to hear an Amish speaking with a Southern accent.

[@Stache987]

I was about to comment that myself, he's not thick accented Amish like I'm used to hearing. I don't know how lax his rules are observed in his community but I think some of his equipment was electric, I saw vacuum baffles for the sawdust, and saws that powerful most likely have to be electric

[@FrogeniusW.G.]

@@Stache987 They are allowed to use tools driven by gas generators for example.

[@gradyshades6535]

Do you know if there’s another group of Amish that have moved into NC? I just noticed one of the share the road buggy signs and my daughter said she saw a buggy locally.

[@AmishAmerica]

Which area/county in NC? I haven't heard of a new one in NC, though one has recently started up across the border in Meadows of Dan, VA area.

[@gradyshades6535]

Western Burke county

[@Stache987]

I used to live in Eastern Jackson County Missouri, at least 100 miles from Jamesport where Amish could be living among other places, it wasn't uncommon to see a Amish person walking in Walmart or on the main drag, one day I conversed with a older gentleman who told me they come there for a doctor is needed and stay in a nearby hotel (a dumpy one), I will say that man likes his buttermilk or has a bad case of halitosis. [It was more tolerable than a chain smoker 2 aisles over, who stunk of smoke so bad you know if you stopped down the aisle in like places]

[@riazghuman8698]

Amish people are simple , having very simplicity i every aspectof life and they do and make things to bring some comfort and create something useful in daily life .

[@Stache987]

Every month for the most part we travel to a Mennonite General Store, it has great food prices when on sale, granted you buy $70 length of steak, and have a fat cap/gristle to deal with, but it's cheaper than the retail chain stores. On our way we also shop a discount grocery thats Amish. Lit by gas lights, and propane operated freezers.. good prices there too. In this part of the country you see no utility connections to a house, even though available, and you know it's either Mennonite or Amish.. the Amish here don't extend phones to workplaces like barns etc. Up at the front fence line, usually at the corner of the front yard, is a little booth, kind of what one might build to limit the weather in the winter for a school child, that has the phone, I'm guessing they allow voice mail as it's hard to get a wired answering machine nowadays. The Mennonite store takes all forms of payment including SNAP/EBT and the Amish take cash or check. In both stores, well in fact including a third, you have to watch the expiration dates, because it may be a odd lot clearance purchased. Local family names here are Troyer, Zimmerman and Yoder.

[@abell509]

Can you tell us what the background sound is? I understand there is a buggy shop but it sounds like an electric saw. Thanks

[@FrogeniusW.G.]

Could be one. They are allowed to use generators and accus/batteries etc.

[@oldfarmshow]

👍

[@lesliekendall5668]

I don't suppose the buggy business has a website? I added the address to my phone. Thanks.

[@AmishAmerica]

Though some Amish have them, this community would be about the least likely to have websites - so you'll have to go the old-fashioned way 🙂

[@lesliekendall5668]

@@AmishAmerica I thought that might be the case although there are also some who'll let others do it for them....like phone messages and car rides.

[@AmishAmerica]

Right that does happen, just a lot less likely here. It's worth a visit though if you can make it

[@lesliekendall5668]

@@AmishAmerica Unfortunately, I'm in Idaho but was looking to buy a buggy if and when a piece of property I own sells. Wanted to see some samples of their work. Prices, etc. I'll just write to them when I have the money.

[@tinaroth]

I love the Amish people

[@SantaFe19484]

What does Swartzentruber mean? Are there any Swartzentruber Amish in PA?