Amish barter ideas
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They pretty much produce whatever they need themselves. Well, at least the ones I'm familiar with. I've never really seen them want for much. A lot of them have bank accounts like us though (some with more money than most English). If the banks get hit, they'll feel it too. Perhaps stuff for canning (jars, rings, lids). I don't think any of us can have enough of that stuff.
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Most things you would think of as barter items would be valuable to yourself. Like canning jars and lids.
Around here they use propane, but if SHTF they would probably choose to do without.
Only thing I can think of would be stuff like cloth, thread and needles (to make clothes and blankets). And shoes. And common stuff like nails and other fasteners, and glue; so, materials for building. And matches and candles.
Bullets, etc. All the stuff we should be stockpiling for ourselves.
Around here they use propane, but if SHTF they would probably choose to do without.
Only thing I can think of would be stuff like cloth, thread and needles (to make clothes and blankets). And shoes. And common stuff like nails and other fasteners, and glue; so, materials for building. And matches and candles.
Bullets, etc. All the stuff we should be stockpiling for ourselves.
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Some of the Amish around here will barter or pay for use of heavy construction equipment (digging specifically) and transportation to the local retail centers like wally world - places that are not easily accessible or too dangerous to reach via horse and buggy.
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I agree, ask the Amish -- and start trading with them now. There's no reason to wait for TSHTF. In fact, if you've already made contact and have some trade going on beforehand, you'll be all the more prepared in case you need to do it for survival purposes, instead of a little extra money.
I'm learning all the time. I can provide a recent example of a missed opportunity. An older out of work guy I know had a fantastic canvas hunting bag and was trying to sell it. I gave him my best offer. He said he'd keep it in mind, but maybe wait until the end of the day. Someone else offered to trade him for a modern backpack (I have several of these) and he took their offer. So by limiting myself to money, and not thinking about trading instead, I missed an opportunity. Never underestimate trade without money.
The Amish have a materially simple lifestyle, so you won't be trading jewelry, art work, etc. But just ask them directly, and think about both men and women since there's gender differences in what they do/need. I've seen some Amish simply shop at regular stores, even for certain grocery goods, hardware, cloth, boots, etc. The stuff on a mercantile store shelf 125 years ago. If you could provide it in higher quality, cheaper or more wholesome in some way, you'll have your trade network.
I'm learning all the time. I can provide a recent example of a missed opportunity. An older out of work guy I know had a fantastic canvas hunting bag and was trying to sell it. I gave him my best offer. He said he'd keep it in mind, but maybe wait until the end of the day. Someone else offered to trade him for a modern backpack (I have several of these) and he took their offer. So by limiting myself to money, and not thinking about trading instead, I missed an opportunity. Never underestimate trade without money.
The Amish have a materially simple lifestyle, so you won't be trading jewelry, art work, etc. But just ask them directly, and think about both men and women since there's gender differences in what they do/need. I've seen some Amish simply shop at regular stores, even for certain grocery goods, hardware, cloth, boots, etc. The stuff on a mercantile store shelf 125 years ago. If you could provide it in higher quality, cheaper or more wholesome in some way, you'll have your trade network.
Amish are an interesting folk. A look at the Lehman's catalog will give you an idea of the tech level they are comfortable with. If they use propane, they can use gasifier technology. Quite a few of 'em use propane or kerosene refrigeration. A look at the Lehman's catalog will give you an idea of the tech level they are comfortable with.
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You might be surprised. When I worked at Walmart there were always Amish shopping there. Things I've seen them buy:
Batteries
Condoms
Fabric and thread
Children's toys
Pots and pans
Paint
About the only thing I never really saw them buy was food. Trading with them would not be so very different than trading with anyone else.
Batteries
Condoms
Fabric and thread
Children's toys
Pots and pans
Paint
About the only thing I never really saw them buy was food. Trading with them would not be so very different than trading with anyone else.
I have an Old Order Amish buddy, we talk via cell phone on occasion...believe it or not.....showed up at his place one time with about 30 pitch fork heads, VERY OLD ONES, he went nuts. I wanted more for a sculpture. He kept 15 or so, replaced those with worn out ones, and he gave me 15 more for free.....they use them A Lot.....good ones hard to find.
They certainly will get rides to them... but around Lancaster County there are plenty of horses and buggies at Walmart, Home Depot and every place you can think of.
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One of the interesting things when it comes to the Amish is what you see at stores is rarely Amish made. Most of what they produce is for their own use as a community. The only way to get truly Amish made items is to go straight to them. Most items you will find in any big box store or at a craft store. The Amish at stores are working a job, very rarely even Amish owned. Lived in the Michiana are near shipshewana, a heavily Amish populated area. There is a heavy presence of stores and resteraunts that cater towards the vacationing population. These are established to take advantage of these vacationers and people that like the Amish way. Outside of food items the rest is mass produced.
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Horses, cows, hay, feed....
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Just look at Lehman's catalog. There's a lot of Amish made stuff in there, but more and more, a lot of it is made in China!
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Never heard of lehmans, thanks, will check it out.
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I was out to Shipshewana a year or two ago, and wasn't impressed. I'm told by extended family who lived in the region that the area used to have huge flea market and antique possibilities, but in the past 10-20 years that stuff has declined. In its place is lot of country-folk crap, some of it made in China, etc. I went into one of the main "antique" shops there and left empty-handed and disillusioned.
I've often seen Amish at flea markets and thrift shops in Wisconsin and other places. I suspect one thing that would always be a big hit is used tools. Good solid vintage American-made tools. You can pick that stuff up cheap at estate sales. I suspect wood and metal-working tools from 1900-1950 would be desirable.
I've often seen Amish at flea markets and thrift shops in Wisconsin and other places. I suspect one thing that would always be a big hit is used tools. Good solid vintage American-made tools. You can pick that stuff up cheap at estate sales. I suspect wood and metal-working tools from 1900-1950 would be desirable.
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Remember, they're not just "old fashioned"
Keep in mind that the Amish seek to live a lifestyle based on specific religious principles, not trying to play at Green Gables. Never assume they're your grandparents transported into the future. They aren't technophobes, they just don't use technology that meets certain criteria. So electric lines that physically tie your house/ barn to "the world" are out but some communities think stand alone generators are fine, especially for the barn (and meeting commercial dairy standards.) Also, there's a lot of range in community standards. In some places land crunch has driven most the younger generations to labor off the farm, so while they've still got a huge self sufficient streak the community might not have the broad base of specific knowledge you'd guess at.
The big thing though, from the perspective these boards usually take, is that they're complete pacifist. I believe most communities have limited guns for some hunting and putting down sick animals and what not, but they don't do hand guns, they don't have many, and they are not likely as a group to be doing a lot in a defensive vein, even WROL. These are people who stood up as conscientious objectors when asked to fight Hitler, they take this no violence thing seriously. That's something to think about if there's a community near you, how the social interactions would work out. Are looters going to see Amish farms as amazing targets and heavily hit your area? Are your super friendly neighbors still going to be willing to trade with the English when they most need to close ranks and take care of their own? Is the reality of daily violence going to cause people brought up in that culture to snap and maybe be more dangerous than someone more desensitized?
They have the advantages of a strong community network and a practical knowledge base and would undoubtedly be priceless in rebuilding society- but that assumes they have an interest in rebuilding English society and not just Amish. Even in normal times they practice separation from society. Although they could offer amazing skills, I'm just not sure how practical it woudl be to trade with them in the short term or how interested they woudl be. If you know Amish folks by all means build stronger personal ties though. And I think someone who had left that life would be en excellent addition to a group.
Keep in mind that the Amish seek to live a lifestyle based on specific religious principles, not trying to play at Green Gables. Never assume they're your grandparents transported into the future. They aren't technophobes, they just don't use technology that meets certain criteria. So electric lines that physically tie your house/ barn to "the world" are out but some communities think stand alone generators are fine, especially for the barn (and meeting commercial dairy standards.) Also, there's a lot of range in community standards. In some places land crunch has driven most the younger generations to labor off the farm, so while they've still got a huge self sufficient streak the community might not have the broad base of specific knowledge you'd guess at.
The big thing though, from the perspective these boards usually take, is that they're complete pacifist. I believe most communities have limited guns for some hunting and putting down sick animals and what not, but they don't do hand guns, they don't have many, and they are not likely as a group to be doing a lot in a defensive vein, even WROL. These are people who stood up as conscientious objectors when asked to fight Hitler, they take this no violence thing seriously. That's something to think about if there's a community near you, how the social interactions would work out. Are looters going to see Amish farms as amazing targets and heavily hit your area? Are your super friendly neighbors still going to be willing to trade with the English when they most need to close ranks and take care of their own? Is the reality of daily violence going to cause people brought up in that culture to snap and maybe be more dangerous than someone more desensitized?
They have the advantages of a strong community network and a practical knowledge base and would undoubtedly be priceless in rebuilding society- but that assumes they have an interest in rebuilding English society and not just Amish. Even in normal times they practice separation from society. Although they could offer amazing skills, I'm just not sure how practical it woudl be to trade with them in the short term or how interested they woudl be. If you know Amish folks by all means build stronger personal ties though. And I think someone who had left that life would be en excellent addition to a group.
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A friend of mine does just that for a living. He drives the Amish around in a big van and takes them anywhere they want to go. From visiting relatives in PA to any other place you can think of.
Some Amish don't let the inability to drive stop them from going places.
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