RocaNews · Video summary
Inside an Ohio Amish Family
Mike Yoder's family lives in Holmes County, Ohio, one of America's most Amish regions. While Mike and his wife Karen decided to leave the faith, his parents, siblings, and grandfather remain Amish, navigating tradition and modernity.
Watch on YouTube ↗Key takeaways
- 📉Only three out of Grandpa's ten children chose to remain Amish, highlighting a significant trend of younger generations leaving the traditional lifestyle.00:09
- ✈️Mike Yoder, who left the Amish faith, runs two high-tech drone companies, showcasing a stark contrast to the traditional Amish lifestyle while still living adjacent to his Amish family.01:39
- ☀️Amish communities, like Mike's parents', use solar power and backup generators for electricity, demonstrating a selective adoption of modern technology that avoids reliance on the public grid.02:45
- 🤝The Amish community makes decisions on technology adoption at a district level, with about 30 families agreeing on what is permissible, leading to variations in practices.04:06
- 🚲E-bikes have significantly changed Amish transportation, making travel more convenient and reducing the reliance on horse and buggy for everyday errands.05:59
- 😔Mike's grandfather expresses deep sorrow over losing most of his children and his wife, finding solace and guidance in scripture to combat depression.11:51
Chapters
- 0:00Introduction to the Yoder Family
- 0:30Mike's Entrepreneurial Ventures
- 3:21Traditional Amish Life and Modern Adaptations
- 5:50Community Rules and Technology Adoption
- 8:43Personal Reflections on Technology
- 10:07Grandpa's Story and Family Dynamics
- 12:07Mike's Decision to Leave the Amish Faith
- 13:18Amish and Politics: Support for Trump
- 13:29Evolution of Transportation: From Horse to E-bike
- 15:14Pennsylvania Dutch Language
- 15:40Grandpa's Perspective on Children Leaving the Faith
- 15:55Sponsor: Revolut
- 18:36Grandpa's Life and Losses
- 20:36Grandpa's Thoughts on Children Leaving the Faith (Continued)
- 23:09Reasons for Leaving the Amish Faith
- 25:36Grandpa's View on Technology and Evil
- 27:19The Dark Side of Rumspringa and Personal Tragedies
- 32:10Community Freezer and Mike's Contribution
- 33:40The Role of Communion Church and Shunning
- 35:04Mike's Reasons for Leaving and Impact on Community
- 36:34Preserving Heritage for Future Generations
- 38:12The Outlier: Mike's Story vs. the Majority
- 38:31The Utopian Perception vs. Hidden Realities
- 41:32Freedom and Rules in Amish Society
- 43:32The Future of Amish Rules and Community
- 44:03Conclusion: Misunderstood Community
- 45:13Part 2 Teaser
The digest
The Amish community, often perceived as a monolithic group adhering strictly to tradition, is far more nuanced than commonly understood. In Holmes County, Ohio, a region vying with Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for the title of America's most Amish, the Yoder family offers a fascinating glimpse into this evolving lifestyle. While Mike Yoder and his wife Karen have chosen to leave the faith, his parents, siblings, and grandfather continue to live as Amish, demonstrating a complex interplay of tradition, adaptation, and unwavering family love.
The Yoder Family: A Blend of Worlds
The Yoder family's living arrangement itself speaks volumes about their unique situation. Mike and Karen reside in one house, Mike's parents in another, and his grandfather and brother next door. This close proximity allows for continued family connection despite differing lifestyles. Mike, a successful entrepreneur, runs two high-tech drone companies: Newway A, which uses large spray drones for agriculture, and Drone Deer Recovery, which assists hunters. His businesses represent a stark contrast to the traditional Amish way of life, yet they operate within the same family sphere.
Despite Mike's modern ventures, his parents and grandfather maintain a more traditional existence. Their primary mode of transportation is still the horse and buggy, though bikes are increasingly common. They strive to live as close to biblical teachings as possible, emphasizing simplicity. However, even within their traditional homes, advancements are evident. Mike's parents' house, for instance, has electricity, not from the public grid, but powered entirely by solar panels with a backup generator. This selective adoption of technology highlights the Amish community's pragmatic approach to modernity, embracing innovations that enhance daily life without compromising core values.
Keep reading in The Digest
The full 2-minute article, 1 more section, and every new episode from RocaNews and the creators you follow.
- Navigating Technology and Community Rules
More from RocaNews
New York City's Disappearing Goths
New York City's East Village has long been a haven for counterculture, but rising rents and gentrification are pushing out the punks, goths, and anarchists who once defined the neighborhood.
The Bootheel: The Midwest's Forgotten Region
RocaNews travels to the Bootheel of Missouri, a forgotten region where the Midwest becomes the South. They meet the locals, learn about the area's history, and discover the challenges and unique charm of small-town life along the Mississippi River.
One of Louisiana's Last Swamp Men
RocaNews travels deep into Louisiana's bayous to meet Rusty Borne, one of the last "swamp men" who embodies a distinct, rugged culture that is becoming increasingly rare in a globalized world.
A Rainy Saturday in Ohio
Roca News visits New Philadelphia, Ohio, to explore the lives of everyday Americans, revealing a town grappling with change but holding onto its community spirit.
Inside America's Richest Black Towns
RocaNews explores Prince George's County, Maryland, a wealthy, predominantly Black suburb outside Washington D.C., to understand its unique prosperity and community.
Inside Louisiana's French-Speaking Swamp Towns
RocaNews explores the unique culture of Cajun Country in South Louisiana, from frog hunting in the bayou to the rich history and traditions of its people.