Meet Ben

[@cindygingras4729]

A wise and simple answer ....the golden rule is all you need ! Great interview , Ben is such a likeable and salt of the earth man

[@BradleyLeurquin]

I'm 69 and need things to do only have my right arm that works and have to use a cane to walk around but I love being busy

[@Lost_AtSea_]

Great content! Nice to hear Ben clear up all the misconceptions about Amish. They are actually a little more lenient than I imagined.

[@starletsatori8933]

Such a comfortable and fun rapport between you two! Thanks Erik and Ben.

[@AmishAmerica]

Absolutely, happy you liked it!

[@mo-rfd]

Our rural Amish community in Central Missouri still has a phone shanty. We actually receive a call from them from time-to-time if they have a special product they know would interest us. Our most recent phone contact from them was to let us know that they had slaughtered a cow and had a limited number of roasts for sale. Leonard said he would hold one for us.

[@AmishAmerica]

Yes they are actually pretty common in many communities, shared ones. I think in some of these more progressive places they are phasing out in favor of the phone being kept in a building on the property, like a barn or workshop like Ben was saying. But even among some of my more conservative friends in northern Lancaster County they have it in the barn, rather than a shared or even single shanty. I have seen them when I go to southern Lancaster County though

[@wendyzimmerman6002]

Another awesome video I’m very close to Lancaster PA less than an hour

[@AmishAmerica]

Thank you Wendy!

[@notsosilentmajority1]

You and Ben are always a joy to watch, the chemistry between you is great. So, the Amish can/do use electric and drive forklifts, etc. when working? I know there were electricity requirements for certain farming locations for milk, etc. but I didn't know they could use electricity for everyday work. Thank goodness for them, lol. Ben strikes me as a very "balanced" man that observes his faith but doesn't mind using authorized conveniences when permitted. In other words, he's smart. My answer to younger people, when asked about life advice, is the exact same as Ben's. The "Golden Rule" should cover everything and be a great guide to anyone and everyone. The problem is that a lot of younger people have not even heard of the "Golden Rule". Maybe that "rule" needs to be emphasized again, at home and in schools. The world would probably be a better place.

[@AmishAmerica]

Great comment, thanks. Some will allow things like that, forklifts, also skid loaders, etc. Historically in a very rare few communities (not Lancaster County afaik) Amish men have even driven work trucks (in Arthur, IL for instance, and even today in Kansas), but not for other reasons. I loved Ben's Golden Rule answer

[@notsosilentmajority1]

@@AmishAmerica Thanks for the continuous education on the Amish. I have always admired their lifestyle but realized that although I am not someone that needs electronics or lots of gadgets, I would not have been able to make it in the Amish world in my youth. I think some of your subscribers consider you half Amish or "honorary Amish". I'm sure you realize that's meant as a compliment. Best wishes Erik. 🙏

[@kimfleury]

Always a pleasure to listen in on your conversations 😊

[@AmishAmerica]

Very kind of you! Yes I think it would probably be easier to be Amish today than say 30 or 40 years ago, in particular b/c of more tech allowed in progressive places. I do plan to stick with my English life but keeping some "Amishy" aspects 😁

[@TheMtggrl]

I'm so excited about your Patreon, I just joined and can't wait to watch the full video of you and Ben chatting. He seems like a wonderful, level headed, quietly witty man. Thanks for sharing Erik.

[@AmishAmerica]

Hey I really appreciate you joining and I hope you enjoy what we have on the Patreon! I haven't mentioned this anywhere yet, but I also did a conversation with an Amish woman from Indiana recently. We'll have some parts of that here on KZbin, but the full convo will probably go on Patreon as well. Excited to hear what you think of the full episode one with Ben 🙂

[@cindynielson4231]

Thanks for sharing Ben, he is quite the character. Loved this. 🤣👍

[@AmishAmerica]

Happy to hear that Cindy! We actually just finished recording episode #3 of our show a little while ago. I kept Ben for close to 2 hours this time but we covered a lot of great topics. I was worried I might get in trouble with Mary but Ben said it'll be OK 😅

[@davidhalldurham]

Another fascinating video, Erik. Thank you so much. I look forward to every video.

[@AmishAmerica]

It's much appreciated, David. Have been having a lot of fun with these conversations with Ben.

[@brendahaire8824]

Thank you Erik

[@LoveMyCoffee10]

I really enjoyed this interview ... ty

[@susanschuck8124]

Great interview ! Love the genuine smiles!

[@AmishAmerica]

Hard not to smile in these! 😁

[@mrs.g.9816]

I like Ben, and I'm glad you two are friends!

[@stantonmagid4126]

Thanks Erik always enjoy your videos

[@PeteVicari]

I live an hour from Lancaster Pa. I notice that some Old Order Amish venders in English owned Farmers Markets are using electric at their stands. One stand uses a electric rotisserie to cook chicken and a electric oven to bake soft pretzels. Another Old Order Amish stand uses a electric freezer for their home made ice cream. My neighbor had a Old Order Amish shed co. assemble a shed on their property. The Amish workers used a gasoline generator to power their electric tools. (instead of plugging into my neighbors outdoor outlet. Maybe Erik or Ben can comment on Old Order Amish use of electric ?

[@AmishAmerica]

We're recording another episode tomorrow - I added your question to the list 👍

[@180pottery]

Great interview!! Thanks Erik and Ben!! ~Alice

[@minshullj]

I never thought the channel to paywall me the most would be one about Amish.

[@AmishAmerica]

Hmm not sure I know what "paywall me the most" means. 160+ free videos on this YT channel and they'll continue coming 😁 Those who want to get some extra content and support our efforts can do so at Patreon for $5. Either way, I appreciate all viewers! 👍👍

[@Melissa0774]

Did he work at the PA Dutch farmer's market in Flemington NJ, or the other one in Kingston NJ?

[@AmishAmerica]

No it was Shrewsbury Markets in Glen Rock, PA (York County)

[@Melissa0774]

Do any Amish collect Social Security when they retire or do they have some kind of alternative pension that they get?

[@AmishAmerica]

In practice very few might collect but most do not. They support themselves privately

[@Melissa0774]

@@AmishAmerica Do they have an actual pension system that they all pay into that works through the church or something, or do they just live off of their savings or have their kids support them?

[@AmishAmerica]

Ben and I are doing another episode tomorrow. I will ask him to comment more on this topic.

[@Gypsy-oh1jr]

So this was so fun. My question is, with Ben being mortgage free, does he still pay PA property tax?

[@AmishAmerica]

Whether you have a mortgage or not shouldn't have any impact on whether you have to pay property taxes. Afaik you would just pay directly rather than having it wrapped up in the monthly mortgage payment. I still have a mortgage so I can't speak from experience here :) Though if that were the case it would be an extra motivation to pay off a mortgage 😁

[@danielyoder3396]

I delivered for Walmart has a independent contractor.

[@Gypsy-oh1jr]

Does Ben pay PA property tax being mortgage free

[@kimfleury]

Property tax is paid to the government. Mortgage is paid to the bank. The tax obligation holds as long as you own the property. Here in Michigan there are a lot of cases where Centennial Farms -- farms that have been in the same family for 100 years or more -- end up being foreclosed by the county taxing authority even though the mortgage was paid off long before. That's because the taxes keep increasing year over year, until the family can no longer afford to pay them.

[@fanniebeiler8204]

How is shunning following the golden rule? No one likes living isolated from family members for simply living their beliefs that are apart from the Amish beliefs.

[@PeteVicari]

I thought Old Order Amish did not show their faces on video interviews ?

[@Melissa0774]

I don't think this guy is old order.

[@AmishAmerica]

Yes he is Old Order Amish. Here is the explanation, some Amish people are okay with cameras. Point #5: amishamerica.com/exceptions-to-amish-rules/ 5. Camera Most Amish do not pose for photos or appear in videos. This is the popular “rule” cited by many in the public. However on an individual level, Amish people may feel comfortable appearing on camera. For example, the screenshot above shows an Illinois Amishman named Joseph Yoder discussing Amish ways for a news station. Certain more progressive churches as a whole may be generally more accepting of the camera as well.