My Mennonite Neighbors

[sjerden]

This is a shot of Arnold Martin with 9 mules chopping silage for his Guernsey milk cows.

 

[bullbreaker]

Classic pic ! :thumbsup:
Thanks for sharing.

Boone

 

[Duffster]

Cool!

 

[PossumHound]

Magnificent! :thumbsup::drink:

 

[davcog]

:cool2: May be the camera angle but the mules look small. Does anyone know if the mares were a draft breed?

 

[sjerden]

Here's a shot of Wayne Martin who just moved in across the road from me. I bought my farm in 1981. About 10 years ago the Mennonites started moving in around me from "Penn" as they call it.

This is a picture at the end of my driveway

 

[dave1949]

Thanks for sharing the photos. Is there a 'MuleByNet' ? :laughing:

I often think deep inside most of us, we see that as a peaceful way of life. I don't know if I could hack it though.
Dave.

 

[sjerden]

Here's a different angle of the same work by Arnold. I asked, and received permission to take these pictures.

 

[Western]

That's neat!! 9MPower

 

[sjerden]

5 mules pulling 100 hp diesel 4 wheel cart running the pto. They sit right next to the motor -no air-conditioning, or power steering.

 

[Mudfarmer]

5 mules pulling 100 hp diesel 4 wheel cart running the pto. They sit right next to the motor -no air-conditioning, or power steering.

I seriously have trouble figuring out what's the point. Partial ludites?
Mf

 

[dave1949]

I seriously have trouble figuring out what's the point. Partial ludites?
Mf

They live according to their faith, that is the only point they are concerned with.
Dave.

 

[sjerden]

all-in-all there just people like everyone else. There's good ones and bad ones. They use cell phone's at the auctions. I've seen young kids palming cigarettes behind the sheds. There are some who frequent the local bars. Some are alright, and some are just rude. They are very adept at shunning, and their way is the only way. Being made fun of by a Mennonite with their farm humor is un-nerving - no different than anyone else. They can be very prideful. I have farm relation who act the same way - "why you doing it that way, my way is better"

...but the way they treat their horses is terrible, just farm machinery to them. Most are OK, but a couple will work them to death. Then call the vet for a shot to get them up off the ground.

They are far from organic. The one across the road from me sprays insecticide every night that makes my head spin if the wind is right. The good people among them will tell you they do not agree with the way some of them act. Most of them are good people, but just like everything else, there's bad apples. The locals think their taking over. But, they're good neighbors. They'll help in anyway they can.

They can come in with a suitcase full of cash, buy a 150 acres, build a new house with a couple of new pole barns, dig a pond and haul all their old steel-wheeled equipment in on a flatbed trailer. Then pay property taxes on those new buildings. They must be doing something right.

 

[trailbuilder]

What a neat contrast on our modern life with computer controlled high HP Tier 3 motors. I like it, thank you for sharing it!

 

[om21braz]

Thanks for the pics!

 

[jonyyuma]

I do know they mostly are not afraid of manual work and do have a deep faith.. If they pay their taxes then that puts them ahead of half of Congress.....Yeah.

 

[aczlan]

Are those Mennonites or Amish?
Around here, the Mennonites have "normal" rubber tired tractors and other farm equipment, but generally drive chromless black vehicles while the Amish would be the ones running a power unit on a cart like that.
I have heard that closer to PA, there are some Mennonites who use steel wheels, but haven't run across any personally.

Aaron Z

 

[bp fick]

Are those Mennonites or Amish?
Around here, the Mennonites have "normal" rubber tired tractors and other farm equipment, but generally drive chromless black vehicles while the Amish would be the ones running a power unit on a cart like that.
I have heard that closer to PA, there are some Mennonites who use steel wheels, but haven't run across any personally.

Aaron Z

The Mennonites-Amish-Hutterites are all one family, just slightly different tracks through history with different leader, Mennon, Amon, Hutter, etc. thus, the names.

By group to group, their "rules of life" vary. The gamut is from simply plain, to extremely plain, which is the word they use for themselves, plain. The point is to discourage pride and vanity.

 

[sjerden]

Are those Mennonites or Amish?
Around here, the Mennonites have "normal" rubber tired tractors and other farm equipment, but generally drive chromless black vehicles while the Amish would be the ones running a power unit on a cart like that.
I have heard that closer to PA, there are some Mennonites who use steel wheels, but haven't run across any personally.

Aaron Z

They are Mennonites. Most from "Penn". One south of me, the Sensenigs are from Maryland. I sell my eggs to Kathy Sensenig. They are really nice people. Open and honest.

 

[jonyyuma]

Isn't there a difference in using Electric power, and or modern plumbing...Seems some only use the Black buggies, but will accept a ride when broken down??