Homesteading with Hutterites?

[msta999]

I was thinking of something that spurred this thought. If a person didn't have enough money or didn't want to homestead alone, would living and working with the Hutterites or Mennonites be an option? Most have thier own homes and they have been homesteading for quite awhile and are self-reliant. If nothing else with would be good training and who knows.....maybe the simple life would be ok. Like I said, this was just a thought and it might be a way for someone who is alone to do the homestead thing and not be alone.

Any thoughts??

[bee_pipes]

I'm not familiar with Hutterites. We live around Mennonites, and I have lived in areas with Amish populations. Their guiding principal is not so much lifestyle, it is religion. The lifestyle is just the most noticeable effect of their faith. We have a friend living deep within a Mennonite neighborhood. Once they figured out he was a sinner and wasn't going to let them save him, they pretty much left him alone. They are good folk, their farm produce is top notch, and they are pleasant to deal with. Not as stand-offish as the Amish, but their sociability does not mean they want to be friends or welcome you into their lives.

We have one farmer in particular we like to deal with. He and his family appreciate the business and we are valued customers, but that's as far as the relationship goes. Whenever we pay a visit to their farm to pick up produce, my eyes are peeled looking at what they are doing and anything they have build to make the work easier. Their building is interesting too - not the houses or barns, but the rough timber structures they throw up for utility purposes. These structures are simple and durable. They don't need pressue treated plywood or lumber, though they are not above using such materials. They build cost-effective - not only materials, but labor too - methods of building that are a real lesson in simplicity to a raw novice like myself.

Depending on the nitch the family is filling - farming, business, etc., they will use whatever technology impr0oves their lives. Our favorite farmer is at one end of the spectrum. At the other end is a lumber yard owned and run by Mennonites. They have forklifts and internet. They need the forklifts for moving materials and the internet for dealing with vendors. They have trucks for deliveries to customers, nd I think many of them have cars. They stand in contrast to the Amish, though each group has different sects and range from contemporary to conservative. But the backbone is all ablut their faith.

Regards,
Pat

[msta999]

The reason I thought about these people, is because I had a brother, who was seeing one of the Hutterite girls in South Dakota, back in the late 70s. The girls family wanted him to come live with them and become apart of the family. I think it had to do with getting new blood in the family. Their farms, back then, were more modern than most other farms and their veggies they sold were always big. I know some groups take in a few of those who want to join, but it sounds like some of those new comers don't last too long. Lots of hard work. It is a way of life for them.

[bookwormom]

I think I understand your motivation for this thread msta. I often feel it would be nice to not have to do it all alone. (aside from that we can't and will have to downsize at some point). But in this day and age there are no live in farm hands, we are not extended family with spinster aunts, etc living "at home" I had a similar thought in reserve but was scared off right away, just the thought of insurance alone when you have strangers come and join you in your homesteading endeavors and lifestyle. (we even have a nice little cabin with a balcony). I guess a lot of things need to click. I find you need to have good organisation to make something like that work, and you need someone who knows how who is in charge.

[Winston_Smith]

For a real life case study of life in the Amish community I suggest the book Better Off- Flipping the Switch on Technology (Two People, One Year, Zero Watts).

[Sarah]

MSTA999

If you want to be a workerbee, with no rights, then by all means join the Hutterites. Everything is community property, to include the clothes on your back. From what I have read from you here, you do not have a chance.

And that is coming from a O.O. Mennonite.

As for us, we are primarily Germanic, and if you are not of that stripe, then you would have little chance, one basically has to be born in. Of course you could join one of the newer orders, but they are not as self sufficient. Same with the newer Amish, today there are 'urban Amish'.

Sarah

[walls0stone]

to some cultures, sects and groups...homesteading is a new word for life the way it always was. Much of what we talk about on this sight, has always been done by those who did it out of necesity. For many in my comunity, it's not to save the earth or change the weather, but to keep a family feed. So when some people come to my own comunity, looking to "play farmer" it's almost like an insult.
(note, I said almost)
With all the people moving to my area, looking for cheep land and to be "in the country". This is not a dude ranch, it's a life style. :)

[pinetreefarm]

They are an interesting group of people. We dealt with them over in western Minnesota. We were invited to a wedding there. They would come to town about once a month to purchase things. The children were fun to watch as they eyed with wonder all the candy and other goodies. They are not overly friendly until you know them and then, although serious, they are warm people. And can they cook. They live a bit like the Amish but use modern equipment. Tractors, trucks, etc. They live communally. The children are taught in a school on their "campus" for lack of a better word. They are of German descent.

Pine

[MNMOM]

Back in the late seventies, my sister lived in Montana and we went out to visit her and her family. She knew a lot of Hutterites and would go out there and buy her vegetables and their homemade bread. When we were there she took us out there and they seemed like a very warm people. They took us on a tour around their farm. There was one building where they would eat, and another building where all the families lived. They had very modern equipment for their farming. Before we left that day they had to have us sit down and visit and they gave us homemade wine. (Boy, was that stuff strong! :o). We really enjoyed our day with them.

That being said, I'm sure that if you wanted to live with them, you would have to change completely to their ways. No if's, and's about it.

[Cowgirl]

I'm probably pretty lucky. Although we have plenty of Amish and Mennonite folks in Illinois, they aren't eager to bring in outsiders unless the person wanted to convert to their religion. However, we have a lot of homesteaders around here also.

I know a number of homesteaders who are close neighbors and even more within a 20 mile radius. It is nice to live amongst those of a similar mindset.

And that has come in so handy when I had to leave on a trip for a family situation - some of my neighbor actually KNOW how to milk a goat and take care of livestock.

Now, if one wanted to join a religious order, you might get some help from your order when it got too hard to cope with something on your homestead - illness, injury, etc. But with most, they are not going to take you in to live WITH them, so you'd still be solo homesteading, unless you marry into the group. But be ready to work HARD - it might not be lonesome, but it will be hard work. Most are not just homesteading but farming, for profit. And many have side-line businesses on the farm also.

[bookwormom]

are there any of those selfsufficient religious groups like Amish, Hutterites, Herrenhuther, Maehrische Brueder, Mennonites who are of Italien, Spanish, Swedish, etc descenty? Seems they are all Germanic.

[msta999]

Sounds like many of you know about these groups and it doesn't sound like it would be something I would do.

Question:

You never hear of any of these groups putting the elderly in Nursing homes. What do they do with elderly people who can't take care of them selves anymore? Anyone know the average life span of those who live and work in these groups?

[Cowgirl]

Hello,

The Amish tend to have their children live with them in their old age. The kids stay on the farm and take over the farm, and the elderly parents stay at home.

I don't know how old they tend to live. Certainly, they don't end up being tube fed, and so when they reach a certain point of decline, they die.

[walls0stone]

here in Pa farm country, it's like the Waltons. My folks are next door to me, my great uncle lived on the farm with his sons/grandsons, and 2 great grandsons...and don't for get their wifes. I have moved into my grandfather's house. It was and always will be in the family. When my father is ready, he can move into a down stairs bedroom and the rolls change.

a comune type sect, not far from here, seems to have a turn over. Before people get to old, they wise up they leave.

[CarolAnn]

You also want to be careful, as there are some "look alike" groups that wear the clothes, but are actually a cult that forces recruits to work like slaves and take beatings for minor infractions.

There was one like that in Arkansas near where I lived. I'm just saying - don't let the long dresses, black hats and buggys fool you - they're not all what they seem to be!

As for working in a commune type situation - find out whose name is on the deed, and who will receive the capital gains when the fruits of your labor is sold! :o

[walls0stone]

not to forget that Aumish are like all people, some are more strict than others. some have tractors, some have phones, or cell phones. Some sell products made in china...they are just people.

[Sarah]

Pinetreefarm, Hutterites are slavic. See "Introduction to the Mennonite History".

Bookwormom, there are 'new order' Mennonites all over the world. "Italien, Spanish, Swedish, etc". Check, Check, Check, MegaCheck.

Msta999, Most do not live long enough! No joke. But generally those that do, are in the 'grandparents house', normally attached to the youngest daughters', who received the farm from her folks.

CarolAnn, you are right on the money. Both counts.

WallsOStone, correct. Each group is a rule unto themselves. The elders of each are the guidance, and some more lenient than others.

Sarah