Discovering Cass City’s Off-the-Beaten-Path Amish Settlement
Jim Halverson returns today with a captivating collection of photographs capturing a seldom-seen Amish community nestled near Cass City, Michigan. Despite its name, Cass City is a quaint village with a population of approximately 2,500 residents, surrounded by Amish families spread across three counties. This area offers a glimpse into a traditional lifestyle away from tourist crowds, featuring local sawmills, bakeries, and expansive produce farms.
Jim shares his firsthand experience through vivid descriptions and images. Armed with the 2023 Michigan Amish Directory, he explored the region, noting the well-marked maps indicating Amish residences and businesses. The community’s landscape is a testament to hard work—dominated by agricultural enterprises that operate year-round, with no signs of tourist attractions. On Fridays, a notable event is the Green Thumb Produce Auction, where local growers sell their harvests.
The Origins of the Cass City Amish Community
According to the 2023 Michigan Amish Directory, this settlement was established in 1992 when several Amish families from Geauga County, Ohio, began seeking more affordable farmland. Their search led them to the central Michigan “thumb” region, specifically around the Bad Axe and Cass City areas. The first families moved in during the spring of 1993, initially engaging in dairy farming by milking cows. Over time, many transitioned to calf feeding operations, reflecting evolving agricultural practices.
The Rural Landscape and Farming Practices
Today, the area showcases a mix of traditional Amish farms with dairy cows and large-scale corporate farms housing over 3,000 cattle. The Michigan Amish Directory lists a variety of occupations among community members, including dairy farming, calf raising, woodworking, logging, operating sawmills, managing tarp shops, retail businesses, and bakeries.
Community Commerce and Agriculture
One prominent feature is Countryside Sales, a local store where horseshoes and other handcrafted items are sold. Produce farming is another vital aspect, with several farms dedicated to commercial cultivation. During Jim’s visit, he observed large-scale vegetable harvesting, with workers loading produce into sizable boxes destined for markets. These farms participate in the Green Thumb Produce Auction, held three times weekly—Monday, Wednesday, and Friday—where produce is sold directly to buyers.
Community Infrastructure and Education
The community maintains its religious and educational roots through 11 schools across six church districts, which maintain fellowship links with Amish communities in Middlefield, Ohio, and Clare, Michigan. Since the settlement’s relatively recent establishment in the 1990s, some families reside in traditional “English” homes, often with disconnected electricity, a practice common among newer Amish settlers. Visitors can observe a variety of homes—from traditional Amish-style houses to older, remodeled structures—most equipped with indoor plumbing, contrasting with the phone shanties more prevalent in northern Indiana.
Daily Life and Farming Techniques
During his visit, Jim learned about threshing spelt, a grain similar to oats. The process involves loading stalked grain into wagons, which are then fed into a machine that separates the grain from the stalks. The stalks are subsequently baled for straw using a tractor-powered system. Jim also visited a large farm with a sprawling greenhouse filled with tomatoes, along with extensive cabbage and corn fields. Young girls were seen harvesting cabbages and packing them into large, commercial produce boxes.
Local Markets and Community Events
At the Busy Bee Bakery, Jim was informed that their produce is sold at the Green Thumb Produce Auction, which operates on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, providing a vital marketplace for local growers. The community’s dedication to agriculture and craftsmanship highlights its self-sufficient and industrious spirit.
Final Thoughts and Resources
Jim extends his gratitude for this insightful visit to Cass City’s Amish settlement. For those interested in exploring Amish communities, he recommends consulting the Amish Country: Where to Go guide, which features 25 top destinations, or the broader Amish State Guide for a nationwide overview. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful retreat or an educational excursion, this community offers a genuine glimpse into Amish rural life that’s both inspiring and enriching.