Single sons of farmers

Until I spent time interviewing and studying the lives of farmer, both Amish and English, it hadn’t occurred to me the responsibility of being the only son in the family. Most men who own family businesses hope their sons enjoy the vocation and will one day step into their shoes. But in an agricultural family, the stakes are much higher. Most small farms cannot afford to pay someone to run the operation when Dad wants to retire. If a man has no sons (or sons-in-law or daughters, in the case of Englischers) who wish to farm, he usually must sell the ancestral land. In An Amish Family Reunion I loved exploring this theme with my hero, Eli Riehl. Eli is a natural-born storyteller and wishes to write books for a living—an odd career for someone Plain. But while studying the Amish, I learned they are loyal, trustworthy and honor their duties, no matter what the price to their personal dreams.

Last 5 posts by Mary

Anybody hear of the grain spelt? - April 18th, 2012
Something lemony to welcome Spring - March 21st, 2012
Where Amish women go to give birth - February 14th, 2012
When does a daughter become an adult? - February 2nd, 2012
A Mother's Love - January 10th, 2012

Filed under: Amish Fiction, Mary Ellis by Mary