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