Ethridge, Tennessee, is home to the largest Amish community in the state and among the most sizable in the South. Around 250 to 300 Old Order families -- who speak Pennsylvania Dutch at home, use no electrical appliances and drive horse-drawn buggies -- have established successful farms and dairies in the area. In keeping with their humble lifestyle, Ethridge's Amish don't host major events, but they do welcome courteous visitors.
Plowboy Produce Auction and Wholesale Farmers Market -- a venture started and run by Ethridge Amish families -- operates from May to October. An open-air auction takes place every Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon. Arrive around 1 p.m. to watch local eateries and grocery stores vie for fresh strawberries, cucumbers, peppers and other seasonal, locally grown produce. If you want to purchase small servings for your own use, look for the sales table geared towards individuals rather than retailers, or visit the farmers market, held on Saturday mornings. Each October, Plowboy hosts a consignment auction where Ethridge's residents can purchase farm equipment and livestock; you might find a must-have piece of hand-crafted Amish furniture among the lots.
Experience the Amish community the way its residents do: from a horse-drawn wagon. Drivers take you to area farms, furniture and woodworking shops and residences where you can buy jams, jellies, homemade desserts and crafts such as quilts and baskets. Your guide also tells you about the Amish lifestyle and heritage. Tours usually last around 90 minutes and leave from several locations, including the Amish Welcome Center, Granny’s Welcome Center and Crafts, A Place of Rest Campground and the Amish Country Mall. Uncle Charlie’s Old Amish Farm, a 96-acre spread open to the public, also conducts wagon tours.
In addition to buying goods at farmhouses, you can shop for Amish arts, crafts, food and more at several locations in Ethridge. Amish Country Galleries showcases baskets, furniture, quilts and woodcraft by local artists and artisans. As well as locally grown and produced items, you can find antiques, glassware and even vintage jewelry at the Amish Country Mall. The on-site cafe serves home-style food, including potato salads and pies baked from scratch. The Amish Welcome Center operates a restaurant and gift shop, while Granny’s Welcome Center and Crafts offers Native American crafts along with Amish items. Uncle Charlie’s Old Amish Farm, a working farm and home museum, sells crafts, food and other gift items.
Following a few guidelines will help you enjoy a pleasant stay in Ethridge while respecting the Amish people you encounter. First, never take pictures of them; the Amish avoid cameras. Also, honor their desire for privacy. If a shop is open to visitors or a house has items for sale, signs are posted along the roadside and at the driveway. If you don't see signs, stay off the property. In addition, understand that Sunday is a day of worship and rest, not commerce. Wagon tours don't operate on Sundays, and homes that sell food and crafts are closed. Finally, carry cash, because most Amish home businesses don't accept other forms of payment.
