Amish families crushed by changing economy

Posted July 1st, 2009 by Galen Lehman
Categories: Galen's Journal, Homesteading

At Lehman’s, we’ve been hearing local folks gossip about how the Indiana Amish have been hurt by the economy. This morning, an article in the Wall Street Journal confirmed our fears.

According to the article, they were drawn into the economic boom by high pay in the RV factories of northern Indiana. Instead of following their Dads into the fields, they followed the money. In the local slang, they became what is known
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Free Family Fun that’s close to home

Posted July 1st, 2009 by Diane
Categories: Uncategorized

Belgians

Have you ever wondered who, in today’s modern world, creates the products from yesteryear?

This is your chance to find out. We found talented, creative artisans located within a few miles of our store, who are eager to share their wares with you.

Bring the entire family to Kidron for a day of entertainment and education on Saturday, July 11, between 10 and 4 pm for the Lehman’s Local Artisan Festival. It’s free family fun that’s close to home.
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A Day in (the Best of Ohio’s) Amish Country

Posted July 1st, 2009 by Sarah N
Categories: Events, Lehman's In The News

By Allison Ervin, writer, age 10

Enjoying ice creamSo you’re in Amish country, looking for something fun to do. Here are some of the great things that I enjoyed when I visited Wayne and Holmes County recently. A good way to start your day in Amish country is by visiting the store Lehman’s, in Kidron. There’s lots of unique and fun things you can buy there that are sure to brighten up any day. If you are a child, or have children with you, there’s a huge toy selection and there are toys you can play with. Lots of their products are non-electric and eco-friendly like their wood burning stoves. The store is very big, which means there is a lot you can look at. You will see many things you thought weren’t made any more.

After you leave Lehman’s, head up the road to the store P. Graham Dunn in Dalton, where they make
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Lehman’s Local Artisan Festival

Posted June 29th, 2009 by Sue Steiner
Categories: Uncategorized
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Weaving During Fiber Arts Demo

Weaving During Fiber Arts Demo

Handcrafted and Home Grown

Handcrafted and Home Grown

Fiber Art

Fiber Art

Buggy Ride in Oils by Sue Steiner

Buggy Ride in Oils by Sue Steiner

The images above are to whet your appetite for the upcoming Local Artisan’s Festival at Lehman’s July 11th.   Plan on stopping by to see Ohio Arts and Crafts members share their wares and knowledge  of   fiber arts and blacksmithing by Windy Knoll Fiber Farm, farm animal art and mural painter by Sue Steiner, birding enthusiast and gourd painter by Terri Howard, Wool Rug Hooking by Two Sister’s Wool and Joanne Murray, landscape painter.

In addition to the arts and crafts demos you can enjoy live music, gardening tips, kids activities and food!

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Will “grow your own” soon be the only way to eat?

Posted June 27th, 2009 by Galen Lehman
Categories: Galen's Journal, Gardening
Scenes like this may be rare before too long.

Scenes like this may be rare before too long.

Good arable farmland is disappearing. All you have to do is look at the suburban sprawl that has gobbled up all the farmland around every major city in America to know that this is true. But, it’s not just an American problem. It’s a worldwide problem.

- Current food reserves are the lowest they have been in 40-years
- The amount of cropland per person has fallen from 1.1 acres (in 1960) to less than 6/10 of an acre today.
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Recent Arts and Crafts Demos

Posted June 22nd, 2009 by Sue Steiner
Categories: Events, Homesteading, Livestock, Uncategorized
Weaving during a recent Fiber Arts Demo

Weaving during a recent Fiber Arts Demo

 I thought I would share with you some photos of recent Ohio Arts and Crafts Guild demos taking place at Lehman’s in the Buggy Barn.  You can see whats on the schedule for upcoming demos here: 

 We’ve been getting together a talented group of local artists to share with you the work of their hands and knowledge of their craft during these demos or to just share ideas to inspire each other.   From participating in  demos the last couple years at Lehmans I think the most pleasant part about it is to hear from visitors to the store what they make or create.  You are a creative bunch so thank you for your interest and appreciation.     I’ll be in this Friday to add to the farm animal murals so stop in and say hi!           

Pottery Demo

Pottery Demo

Hand Tools from Fiber Arts Demo

Hand Tools from Fiber Arts Demo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equine Art and Farm Animal Mural by Sue Steiner

Equine Art and Farm Animal Mural by Sue Steiner

Wool Rug Hooking Demo

Wool Rug Hooking Demo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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“It’s easier online — NOT!”

Posted June 19th, 2009 by Galen Lehman
Categories: Galen's Journal

Everybody these day seems to think that “everything is easier on the internet”. Some things are. But not everything.

The internet is great for gathering people of similar interests but living miles apart into “communities” of similar interest. We’ve tried to do this with this site. It allows bakers to talk with other bakers, homesteaders to trade advice, and animal lovers to share ideas. I’ve used CountryLife myself, both giving and receiving advice. I enjoyed it and learned from it.

The internet can occasionally do things that even look miraculous to me. For
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Here’s what you’re growing

Posted June 18th, 2009 by Sarah N
Categories: Gardening, Homesteading

As promised, here are several of our favorite responses to last month’s query, “What are YOU Growing?” …

I am a 66 year old disabled woman. I have loved gardening all my life. Every place I lived I was able to find a way to garden. I am now unable to work and I am still determined to garden. I live in an apartment in a large Federal style house. The owners have generously allowed me to do my gardening in their yard. I have been here three years and each year I have extended my gardens. I have a huge vegetable garden and two herb beds and three flowerbeds. I do all of the work from a lawn chair.
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Cleaning the Well

Posted June 18th, 2009 by Pat Veretto
Categories: Homesteading, Off-Grid Power

Pump“Hurry, bring the water in,” Mom called as we dawdled at the pump on that bright morning. We were watching Daddy pile up tools nearby - shovels, a crowbar, hammers and nails. He and another hired hand were going to clean out our well.

Mom called one more time, then Daddy looked up. “Better get that water to your Mom,” he said, and we scrambled. Daddy never gave orders much to us kids, but when he did, it was time to move.

We pumped hard, bringing up great gushes of pure, cold, sweet water to rock the bucket hung on the lip of the pump spigot. The two buckets were filled quickly and we ran them to the house and came back for another filling.

“That’s enough,” said Mom,
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Gorgeous wedding bouquets – made by you

Posted June 18th, 2009 by Rachel Hurt
Categories: Gardening, Homesteading

Bride with her flowersIf April showers bring May flowers, then what do May flowers bring? Weddings!Every little girl dreams of a storybook summer wedding with beautiful flowers and “The” dress. As we get older, some of us realize that to make our dream a reality we have to downsize. Flowers and bouquets can be one of the most expensive things in a wedding. Cut the price and add some of your own individuality by making your own bouquets.

Roses are associated with romance, and therefore they are always associated with weddings. Many brides have begun to steer away from the “traditional” rose bouquet for more modern or unusual looking flowers, but a simple rose bouquet can still fit into many themes and styles. The introduction of hybrid roses has made it possible to have roses available year round and in many, many different colors. To make this simple bouquet you will need: long stemmed roses, snips, string, water, vase, wide ribbon, and green foliage.
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