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Five States Where Amish Could Start New Communities

Written by Dennis Regling in Amish Life

Five States Where Amish Could Start New Communities

 Five States Where Amish Could Start New Communities

In the midst of our rapidly evolving modern world, there exists a group of individuals who have chosen to live life differently, guided by a profound commitment to simplicity, community, and tradition. The Amish, a unique and enduring religious community, have captured the fascination of many with their steadfast adherence to a lifestyle that seems frozen in time. Their rejection of many aspects of contemporary technology and consumerism sets them apart, as does their remarkable ability to form self-sustaining, agrarian communities that thrive despite the challenges of the 21st century.

While many Amish communities have been established for generations, there remains a sense of wanderlust among some Amish families who seek to start anew. Whether driven by a desire for more open farmland, a longing for a stronger sense of community, or simply a yearning for fresh opportunities, these intrepid Amish pioneers are exploring new frontiers. In this article, we’ll explore five states across the United States where the Amish are embarking on journeys to establish new communities, preserving their cherished way of life while adapting to the changing landscape of our nation. From picturesque rural landscapes to thriving agricultural hubs, these states offer fertile ground for the Amish to cultivate their unique traditions and build thriving communities in harmony with their steadfast values. Join us on this journey as we discover the five states where the Amish could start new communities and continue their timeless pursuit of a life less ordinary.

Amish Farm

 

1. New Hampshire

 

Since Vermont has recently drawn interest, and Maine already has five communities of its own, New Hampshire might one day attract its own Amish population.
“Live Free or Die” is the state motto. New Hampshire’s libertarian bent would likely bode well for conservative Amish wishing to avoid conflicts over lifestyle seen in other places.
Also, the overall tax burden in the state is low, though property taxes are rather high.

 2. North Dakota

 

Amish have lived here multiple times–including four communities pre-1950. They already have the other Dakota covered (albeit with a single small settlement).
Amish in non-traditional regions often have to be more flexible with how they make a living (such as those living in Colorado’s San Luis Valley).
This would likely be true in North Dakota. Difficult climate and growing conditions hampered some of those early settlements.
But since non-agricultural business is now a strong part of Amish culture, success here may be more possible today than in the past.

 3. Utah

 

A conservative state perhaps more readily associated with non-mainstream religion than any other. Amish have been steadily creeping in this direction, having settled Colorado and Wyoming in recent years.
Mennonites from South Carolina recently started a ministry in the Utah Valley (an effort encouraged by Christian Aid Ministries).
In fact, the pastor in charge of the new church said “We have a lot of good LDS friends…We haven’t met too much resistance. We have similarities (with the LDS religion) in family values.”
Also, Amish appreciate outdoor beauty. The state actually has a modest dairy industry.

 

 4. Alabama

 

Another place where Amish have lived in the past–albeit on only one occasion, in the early 1900s. Historically, Amish settlement has been quite rare in the Deep South.
However, Amish today have a strong-ish presence in Tennessee, and a single community in neighboring Mississippi.
In fact, two of the Tennessee settlements are within 30 miles of the Alabama border, so this one seems quite possible.

 

5. Alaska

 

This one might sound far-fetched. But Amish have on several occasions tried to settle way off the beaten path (e.g. British Columbia or Paraguay).
And you might be surprised to learn that in 2010 Amish made a scouting trip to the 49th state, though they failed to find a suitable location.
However, all it takes is a few families with a sense of adventure and enough change in the pocketbook to make an attempt.
It’s unlikely a settlement would last for a long time in Alaska, though, which has been the case with most other “remote” settlement tries.

While many Amish communities have been established for generations, there remains a sense of wanderlust among some Amish families who seek to start anew.

Homemade Sweet and Sour Salad Dressing

Written by Dennis Regling in Amish,Amish cooking,Amish Recipes,Recipes

Homemade Sweet and Sour Salad Dressing
Prep time: 
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
  • 3 cups Miracle Whip
  • 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
  • 1 /2 cups vinegar
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3 /4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon onion salt
  • 1 teaspoon celery seed
Instructions
  1. Whip everything together and drizzle on your favorite salad.

Best-Ever Amish Macaroni Salad

Written by Dennis Regling in Amish,Amish cooking,Amish Recipes,Recipes

Best Ever Amish Macaroni Salad
When I’m at the Amish buffet, you can be sure this will be on my plate. It has celery in it, so I let my wife know this counts as my vegetable.

For the best results, you really should try to make this salad the night before, it allows the flavors to really meld and permeate the pasta.

Best-Ever Amish Macaroni Salad
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: serves 15
Ingredients
  • 1 lb macaroni
  • 1 cup chopped tomato
  • ½ cup chopped celery
  • ½ cup grated carrots
  • ¼ cup chopped onions
  • 6 hard-boiled eggs (reserve 1 to slice for garnish, and chop the remaining 5)
  • paprika, for garnish

Tip: I like to add a couple of cans of Tuna Fish. Mmmmmmmm.

DRESSING

  • 2 cups Miracle Whip
  • ¼ cup vinegar
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
  • 1 tablespoon celery seed
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
Instructions
  1. Cook macaroni as directed on the package; drain and cool.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients so they are well-combined and smooth.
  3. In a large bowl, gently combine the macaroni, celery, carrots, onions, tomato, and 5 chopped eggs.
  4. Fold the dressing gently into the macaroni salad mixture.
  5. Place into your serving bowl and garnish with the reserved sliced egg and sprinkle with paprika.

One-Hour Amish Dinner Rolls

Written by Dennis Regling in Amish,Amish cooking,Amish Recipes,Recipes

 

Amish Dinner Rolls
One-Hour Amish Dinner Rolls
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 15 rolls
Ingredients
  • 3 3/4 – 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 Tbsp rapid rise yeast
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup very warm water
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, diced into 1 Tbsp pieces, plus more for tops
  • 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice
Directions
  • Preheat oven to 180 degrees. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer whisk together 4 cups flour, sugar, yeast and salt.
  • To a medium bowl add water, milk and butter. Stir to partially melt butter (you just want to make sure it’s softened through).
  • Pour milk mixture into dry mixture in bowl of electric stand mixer along with lemon juice. Set mixer with a hook attachment then set mixer on low speed and gradually increase to medium-low, knead about 3 – 4 minutes until smooth and elastic while adding additional flour as necessary (dough should be lightly sticky but manageable).
  • Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap and rest 5 minutes. Meanwhile butter a 13 by 9-inch baking dish.
  • Drop dough onto a lightly floured surface. Shape into an evenly level square, about 9 by 9-inches. Cut into 16 equal portions (don’t have to be exact). Shape dough into 15 balls, while using excess dough from the 16th portion to add to smaller rounds as needed, and place shaped dough portions into prepared baking dish.
  • Dampen hands with water and brush tops of dough with the water (just so they don’t dry while rising in oven). Transfer to oven, close oven and turn oven off, allow rolls to rise 20 minutes (don’t open oven door). Remove from oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees (this should take about 5 minutes, so just allow rolls to rest on counter while oven preheats).
  • Bake in preheated oven 14 – 16 minutes until tops are golden brown. Remove from oven and run the top of a stick of butter along tops of rolls just to coat. Serve warm. Store in an airtight container.