Amish Ingenuity
 

We are interested in Amish solutions to the daily problems of living. Solutions
which avoid the link to the power company or dependence on oil.

For example, in this video of an Amish farm there is a treadmill for horses
used to power his wood shop. He mentions that it is made in Scottsville Kentucky, but I sure cannot find it. How innovative.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...ish+Farm&vt=lf
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...PVjO2zCQ&hl=en


We have also been following with great interest the growth of solar solutions
among the Amish in Ohio. Another area of study has been steam engines
for pumping water or generating electricity. Mike Brown of Missouri manufactures three steam engines ranging from 1 to 20 horsepower.

Here is a home built system at Otherpower.com
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...or&vt=lf&hl=en

When diesel gets too expensive to run your tractor, there will be a renaissance in the use of draft animals on farms. You are already seeing it on a small scale among us English.

Another area of research for us is people powered machines. Maya Pedal
in Guatemala recycles bicycles into bicimaquinas which are nothing short
of genius. Talk about power to the people!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...Pdv4y1CQ&hl=en
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...PuvKysCQ&hl=en
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Uzr1TY5bMY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtyNFs2aFxA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Le85KjalzwM


We are birthing a new paradigm as big oil goes away. You can help...chime in!

Blessings

D&D

Re: Amish Ingenuity
 

The Amish and Menenites are fascinating, and so constructive. They set a brilliant example to all Ground Crew.

Re: Amish Ingenuity
 

I know theres a huge Amish community in Lancaster, PA....

Re: Amish Ingenuity
 

yup. I work with people that helped their community when that nut shot all those school kids in the head. The first thing the Amish families did was go to the shooter's wife and offer her forgiveness and support. The media flipped their lid, they could not comprehend actions like that at all. They asked an amish farmer why he supported the widow. He said 'forgivenss is the key to living. If I was angry at her for what her husband did, all that would do is make me an angry person. What good would that accomplish?'

They not only live a life in harmony with our earth, they have a spiritual side that I feel is more advanced than most of us living disposable lives. Fortunately many are awakening. I'm not to sure how most amish would react to questions about how they exist. Many want nothing to do with 'outsiders'. If times got rough, I bet money they would help all they could though.

Re: Amish Ingenuity
 

They use generators to power their homes. One guy we saw towed a powered boat with a horse and buggy. These people still rely on the same fuels the rest of us do, only in a different manner and let me tell you something else. They are positively evil when it comes to animals. They view them as just another resource, not as living breathhing feeling creatures. they are not a people I feel drawn to emulate.

Re: Amish Ingenuity
 

So, because one family or congregation does not value
their animals you discount the entire culture? This attitude is divisive and unproductive. With this logic I should discard the Amish crop rotation, put away my propane pole lamp, and not bother to learn how to convert an
electric blender to compressed air. What about the LDS
Church? Throw away their law of provident living? Or any
other culture and people you can name?

poppycock!

Borrow what works and leave the rest.