Amish Country

We spent the day in Amish Country (Lancaster).  We took in the "Amish Experience" which included a van tour of the farm country, visiting a farm and hearing the history mostly about the Lancaster Amish.  There are 29 states and the providence of Quebec, Canada that have an Amish presence, and it seems that the traditions may vary some in each place, but they all do without electricty, motor vehicles, TV, computers, etc  etc.  The kids go to school until they are 16 then they have to make a decision as to joining the church or not. The Amish population doubled from the last census and 90% of the kids do join the church when it comes time to decide.  A second part of the tour was a typical Amish house and the final part was a short film on a young man making a decision on joining or not joining the church.  It was topped off with a typical Amish meal where you sat down with other patrons whom you may or may not know and pass the food around.  All in all a very interesting day.  We are going back to the same area tomorrow so that NJ can get some photos in.
Some interesting facts about Pennsylvania....
It is home to more than 58,105 farms.
It has 2,164 Christmas Tree farms, more than any other state.
Produces more than 465 million pounds of mushrooms per year, more than any other sate.
Produces 82 million pounds of pumpkins & 442 million pounds of apples.
Produces 1.2 billion gallons of milk & 71  million pounds of peaches.
Produces 7 billion eggs a year.
Each farmer in the state provides enough food and fiber to feed 144 people for a year.