High Cost and Shortage of Land Pushes Young Amish Off Farms and Into Industry

Eldon Chupp is one of a new generation of Amish men getting their bread and butter from industry instead of farms.

Face bronzed by the sun, hands callused by work, Chupp leads a four-man crew that erects custom prefabricated garages in central Illinois.

A generation or two ago, Chupp would have shared the family farm operation. Now, caught in a land crunch that is squeezing many young Amish men off the farm, Chupp has made carpentry his career.

Not Enough Farm Land

“There just isn’t enough farm land to go around, and it’s too expensive to buy more,” said Chupp, one of eight children. He has been erecting garages for Coach House Inc. of Arthur for 10 years.

Amish enjoy a reputation as fair, reliable and conscientious craftsmen. Dealers who sell the Coach House garages capitalize on that reputation by advertising: “Custom-built garages by Amish craftsmen.”

Business is booming. An average of 15 garages a week are built by Coach House, spring through fall.

Like other Amish youths, Chupp, 29, of rural Arthur left school after the eighth grade. (“We feel that is enough education,” said David Schrock, an Old Order Amish minister.)

Buying a Home

Chupp worked on the family farm and as a hired hand before joining Coach House. “I realize I don’t qualify for a job beyond this, but I’m satisfied. I enjoy this,” said the father of two, who with his wife is buying a home. “That’s where most of our money goes,” Chupp said.

He and other experienced carpenters receive about $11 an hour--comparable to union scale for central Illinois.

His brother, Olen, 27, of Arthur, also married and the father of two, joined Coach House nine years ago. He and his family too are buying a home.

“I like this work,” he said. “I don’t want to farm. In the future, I hope to have my own business.”

Keeping Amish Values

He remains staunchly Amish. “I’m satisfied with our people. I want to keep my Amish values.”

Another crew member, Larry Rocke, 20, of rural Arthur, has the clean-shaven face of unmarried Amish men.

He lives at home and gives some of his salary to his parents. Independent-minded, Rocke ignores the church ban on cars and rides around in a 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 instead of a buggy.

He doesn’t drive to work, however.

The three ride to job sites in a truck owned by Coach House and driven by Jerry Yoder, 35, of rural Tuscola, who decided not to join the church, although his family is Amish. (Children of Amish families decide in their teens if they want to join the church. About 85% join.)

Worked on a Ranch

“I didn’t want to live that way,” Yoder said. So at 19, he left the family farm and worked on a Colorado ranch for three years before returning to Tuscola in 1973 to work as a carpenter. He joined Coach House five years ago.

Last year, he and his wife joined the Baptist Church. He said they will let their three children decide for themselves whether to follow in their parents’ footsteps in the matter of religion.

He said he faces no discrimination on the job.

“They hire on what you can do, not what you are,” Yoder said. “And we know what we’re doing.”