10 Amish Survival Hacks You Didn’t Know About

source: https://www.askaprepper.com/

The Amish have one simple rule, love each other. If the rest of the world followed suit, we would live in a much happier, more productive world where human starvation would be a thing of the past.

For many years I realized that the Amish have the world figured out and everyone else overcomplicates life in pursuit of the almighty dollar.

Truthfully, it is more satisfying to live a humble life than keep up with the latest technological advancements.

In any case, when a SHTF scenario presents itself, the humble will indeed inherit the earth. Here are 10 basic Amish survival hacks you might not know about.

The Amish Make Their Own Organic Fertilizer

The Amish make their own organic fertilizer.

For the most part, the Amish use animal manure as the basis for their fertilizer.

They believe that animal manure is the safest solution for making the soil as fertile as possible.

Not only does it provide all trace minerals, in addition to NPK, it is also ecologically stable and doesn’t cost a dime.

Related: 5 Myths About Organic Gardening

The Amish also strategically plant their gardens and crops as certain plants like marigolds are grown next to vegetable crops because they reduce pest and insect damage.

Planting crops together that form a symbiotic relationship make for a healthier garden that doesn’t require toxic chemicals for pest control.

The Amish Grow Their Own Food Or Purchase Food In Bulk If Needed

The Amish grow their own food and eat what is in season while preserving everything they grow for winter.

They raise their own livestock and eat as much of the animal as possible including the innards, like the liver and heart, which are much higher in minerals than the meat.

The Amish use the bones to make soup and stock as there is nothing more nutritious than homemade broth.

While the Amish grow most of their food, if they need to purchase extra food they buy it in bulk. By purchasing food for the entire community at once, the rate they pay is significantly lower than buying food at the grocery store.

If you are just starting to prep or looking to add on significantly to your stockpile, purchase your food in bulk to save some money.

When the Amish spend money they only do so on necessities and don’t waste a dime on anything they don’t need.

If you do have some extra money laying around, don’t spend it on frivolous things, instead, use it to improve your preparation for a SHTF event.

Amish Cooking Secrets

The Amish don’t spend money on propane or electricity for cooking, as they cook over the fire. They use cast iron wood-burning stoves that are unmatched in quality.

The Amish eat farm-raised food with meat, milk, and vegetables as the staple for most meals.

Related: Amish Long-Lasting Recipes Every Prepper Should Learn

Amish recipes are passed down from generation to generation and they contain a wide variety of food options that can be eaten immediately and the excess stored long-term.

Food that can be canned includes meatloaf, chicken, turkey, pork, and vegetables.

How The Amish Preserve Food

The Amish are famous for canning food. At the end of fall, the Amish women preserve all the food they will need for winter immediately after harvesting the garden. One favorite Amish preserved food is sauerkraut which requires room temperature fermentation for about 10 days.

Related: How To Make Sauerkraut – The Most Effective Probiotic

When it comes to canning food, traditional Amish people don’t use a pressure cooker, but simply boil canned food for three hours to preserve it.

The Amish generally slaughter livestock in the winter so the ice-cold weather preserves it. Meat is also cured and smoked before canning it.

The traditional Amish keep food cold by storing it in an ice house or icebox in the summer. An icebox is similar to a modern-day cooler but is traditionally made out of wood. Large blocks of ice typically last between 5 and 7 days before they melt completely.

The Amish Create Their Own Cleaning Products

The Amish use vinegar diluted in water as an all-purpose cleaner.

Making the vinegar cleaning mixture begins by placing an orange peel in hot water, letting it steep, and then pouring the water into ½ cup of vinegar. To clean the floor, mix a few drops of olive oil into this vinegar mixture.

To clean the stove, the Amish use a paste created by a combination of vinegar and baking soda.

The Amish also make their own soap from lard, rainwater, and lye. While most preppers have hordes of cleaning products stored up, it is important to be able to make your own biodegradable cleaning products as well.

The Amish Collect, Filter, And Pump Water

The Amish collect rainwater that falls on their houses and structures. This water is channeled to a homemade filter typically built out of an oak barrel.

The oak barrel has small stones at the bottom, a layer of sand above that, charcoal above that, and larger stones at the top.

As the rainwater passes through the charcoal, impurities are extracted and any excess particulates are filtered out by the sand, leaving fresh potable water at the bottom.

Related: 100-Year-Old Way to Filter Rainwater in a Barrel

When fetching water from a well the Amish use a metal water pump that is manually operated. These pumps stand the test of time and should be part of any prepper’s off-grid setup.

At the very least, a manual water pump should serve as a backup for a generator-powered pump.

The Amish Use Lanterns And Solar Power For Light

The traditional Amish use kerosene lamps to light their home at night.

Many Amish people repurpose old items into a kerosene lamp or purchase kerosene lamps from the thrift store in order to save money.

Some modern-day Amish use propane as fuel for their lanterns and a few communities are even switching over to solar power to light their house.

The Amish generally wake up before dawn, around 4 AM, to do their chores. If it is too dark to see, they use kerosene lamps to illuminate their environment.

However, they prefer to use the kerosene lamps as little as possible. After taking care of the chores, the whole family spends quality time together.

The Amish Make Their Own Medical Supplies

The Amish rarely go to the hospital and many members refuse modern medical care. Instead, the Amish make their own medical supplies that include burn and wound ointment, which is a combination of burdock leaves, powdered charcoal, cornmeal, honey, aloe vera gel, and powdered alum.

The Amish also make what is called Super tonic to maintain their health. Super tonic is a mixture of garlic, horseradish roots, onions, ginger, and vinegar that many consume on a daily basis, especially through the winter.

The Amish treasure dandelion for its impressive health benefits. Dandelion is known to be a blood purifier, liver cleanser, and is a treatment for diabetes. Typically, the leaves of the dandelion are ground up, made into tea, and drank.

The Amish Mainly Use The Horse And Carriage For Transportation

The horse and carriage is the go-to way to get around and transport items throughout Amish society.

The nice thing is that a horse doesn’t require gasoline and a carriage can be easily repaired when broken. Moving around after a SHTF event is going to be difficult if there is no diesel or gasoline available.

Related: What’s the Best Fuel to Stockpile for Survival?

Having some horses and even a carriage makes it easier to go long distances and transport heavy items where need be.

While it may seem complicated, making your own carriage can be as simple as sourcing a small car trailer, modifying it to allow a horse to comfortably pull it, and taking control of the reins.

The Amish Are A Tight-Knit Group That Depend On Each Other

The Amish trade goods and services with other families in their community so they can barter for what they don’t have. For instance, Amish women make clothes from scratch for their families and trade garments for other necessities. The Amish have strength in numbers, as they all have similar interests and are willing to work hard for the basics.

Most preppers tend to keep to themselves, as they don’t want anyone else knowing that they are preparing for a SHTF situation.

While that is logical on many levels, the best way to survive after society breaks down is to form a tight-knit group with members who can all depend on each other.

The Amish Have The World Figured Out

The Amish have the world figured out and don’t depend on modern society. The truth is that technology is a house of cards that will eventually come crashing down.

If we take the time to secure items and prep now, we stack the odds of survival in our favor in a post-apocalyptic world.