The Dixon Amish Community
The Amish community nearby is small
-- only 13 families at last count. They do not aspire to cater to tourists and
gawkers, but they do operate a couple of businesses. If you have
need for their products, it can put you in contact with them and their way of
life. We have found all of them to be wonderful people who simply resist
becoming
too worldly. tYou may see a sign
saying, "Modest dress and clean speech please!"
These are horse and buggy Amish, with no
electricity and no phones. However, they do share a community phone that
is used for outgoing calls. This is sometimes used to contact non-Amish
("English," in their terminology) when contact by mail may not be
satisfactory. In this community some uses of stationary engines
are permitted. This makes for some interesting combinations. For
example, during haying season you may see a team of horses pulling a modern
square baler.
The two Amish businesses near Dixon are:
1. Miller Farm / Miller
woodcrafts.
This resourceful young family has two businesses on their farm. They
produce organically grown beef, pork and chicken. They also manufacture
outdoor and deck furniture made from native red cedar.
Sometimes they may have furniture made
and on view. Other times you may have to order the furniture ahead so
that they can fit the work into their farm activities. All pieces are
made from locally milled, aromatic red cedar and are quite comfortable and
good looking.
You may place your order for organic
meats and chicken at their farm. Animals are naturally raised on pasture,
without chemicals or hormones. Beef and pork is sold by the half or
quarter, delivered to the local butcher for processing according to your specifications.
If you order free range chicken, you may need to be present during the
afternoon of butchering day to pick them up.
You will find the Roman Miller family
quite delightful. However, they lead busy, though simple lives. If
you think you may have a need or use for their products, stop by their
farm. You can also write to them at: The
Roman Miller Family, 19862 Maries Road #636,
Dixon, Missouri 65459
2. Dogwood Dell
Greenhouse. This small
business is operated by one woman (with occasional help). You will find
that she has the normal assortment of flowers and bedding plants and also has
a few more that are exotic or difficult to find. The greenhouse is
heated by a wood furnace in cold weather. 
Annie Yoder, the proprietor, is a
wonderful woman who you may find barefoot in summer. She likes to talk
about plants and can be a useful resource if you are looking for locally grown
produce, eggs, etc in the community.
Iddo Yoder is a local Amish young man who does horse training during the warm months. He will train to saddle or harness or both. You'll note his sign near Annie's Greenhouse.
In season you may find locally grown produce in the Amish Community. Country eggs are quite commonly offered for sale. During the summer you will find garden produce: blueberries, tomatoes, beans, squash, corn, etc. Look for small, inconspicuous signs along the road.