South Dakota State University Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange South Dakota State University Agricultural Bulletins Experiment Station
3-1-1980 The uttH erites and Their Agriculture: 100 years in South Dakota J. Satterlee
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Recommended Citation Satterlee, J., "The uttH erites and Their Agriculture: 100 years in South Dakota" (1980). Bulletins. Paper 674. http://openprairie.sdstate.edu/agexperimentsta_bulletins/674
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Contents
The Hutterite Brethren ...... 3 History ...... 3 South Dakota colonies ...... 4 Beliefs and principles ...... 8 Hutterite principles applied to agriculture .. . 10
Hutterite colonies, population, and agriculture . 11 Hutterite colonies in North America ...... 11 South Dakota colonies ...... 15 Major crop and livestock enterprises in 1974 . 16 South Dakota vs Manitoba colonies ...... 17
Update: New colonies and farms, 1974-1979 ... 18
Selected bibliography ...... 21
Cover photo courtesy Jerry Welch. Rochester Post-Bulletin.
Published in accordance with an Act passed in 1881 by the 14th Legislative Assembly, Dakota Territory, establishing the Dakota Agriculture College and with the Act of re organization passed in 1887 by the 17th Legislative Assembly, which established the Agricultural Experiment Station at South Dakota State University. File: 5.4-1-8,000 at estimated 37 cents each-3-8mb-4871A. South Dakota is the home of the the Protestant Reformation. Yankton) is still in existence and is original American settlement of a The most distinctive feature of the thriving. small religious group known as the Hutterite way of life is the combina The second reason for local in Hutterite Brethren. The members of tion of communal living and modern terest is that South Dakota has the this religious sect have lived in small agricultural enterprises. That the largest Hutterite population and the agricultural villages (colonies) in Hutterites have been successful is greatest number of colonies in the South Dakota since 1874. Since then, born out by the fact that both their United States and these populations over 200 colonies have been population and their colonies are are growing. established in the farming areas of flourishing. The South Dakota Agricultural Ex the northern prairie states and the The Hutterites are important to periment Station has published five western provinces of Canada. other groups because they constitute reports over the last 20 years on the Today the Hutterites still live com a rural-farm society based on tradi communal farms of the Hutterite munally in their colonies, sharing, tion in the midst of a rapidly chang Brethren in South Dakota.1 The pres according to their religious beliefs, ing urban-industrial society. South ent report provides an update. Its all their worldly goods_. The Hut Dakotans have a special interest in material comes from a 1974 field terites are unique: While using the the Hutterites and their communal survey in which the leaders in all the most modern agricultural tech farms for at least two reasons. Hutterite colonies in South Dakota nology, they have isolated them From a historical standpoint, were interviewed for population and selves from the main currents of South Dakota is the location of the agricultural information. Also in western civilization. The strong first settlements of Hutterites when cluded are revisions and additions to boundary maintenance of their they migrated from Russia in the general information on Hutterite life social system has enabled them to years 1874 to 1879. In fact, the first and colony organization. retain much of their culture and colony they established in North social organization developed during America (Old Bon Homme near 'See bibliography for these publications.
The Hutterite Brethren
______History______
out of the Protestant Reformation pret the New Testament literally, in Origin of Hutterites struggles of sixteenth century sisting upon the complete sharing of Europe. worldly possessions. It is this princi The Hutterites are a very old The founders of the Hutterian ple that provides the basis for their religious sect. 2 They originated over Brotherhood subscribed to the communal living. four centuries ago in 1528 in Austria Anabaptist beliefs of adult baptism Because of these beliefs, the Hut and Moravia. An offshoot of the and separation of church and state. terites were subjected to severe Swiss Brethren, they are one · of In accord with the Swiss Brethren, persecution by both "church" and several Anabaptist groups (believers they were strongly opposed to war. "state." They were imprisoned, flog in adult baptism) that arose directly One additional belief distin ged, burned at the stake, and driven guishes Hutterites from the Men from place to place. At times, it ap 'information on the history of the Hutterites is drawn largely nonites and other Ana baptist peared that the group would disinte from john Horsch. The Hutterite Brethren 1528-1931: Henry C. groups-the principle of "communi grate. Willing Smith. Smith's story of the Mennonites 3rd rev ed: and John to flee rather than to Hostetler. Hutterite society. ty of goods." The Hutterites inter- sacrifice their beliefs, the Hutterites
3 were forced eventually from Russia tected them from attacks by the Colonies in Russia and came to the United States. It is Catholic Church and the Emperor as Prior to Migration only here in the United States and in long as possible. However, the Canada that Hutterite populations power of the nobles was broken in At the time of their migration to are presently found. 1620 and the Hutterites were forced America, the Hutterites were living Jacob Hutter, from whom the sect to flee Moravia. in three villages in the Ukraine. They derives its name, was a hatmaker. were located on the west side of the Prior to joining the Hutterites in For more than 150 years, they Dnieper River about 200 miles nor Moravia he had been chief pastor of moved from place to place in thwest of Odessa on the Black Sea. the Tyrolese Anabaptists. Hungary and neighboring countries, One congregation, committed to Although Hutter was not highly often forced to flee for their lives. communal living, had settled at educated, he did possess unique Although of ten close to extinction, a Scheromet under the leadership of a leadership and organizational small group always managed to sur minister called "Schmied-Michel" abilities and, in 1533, he became vive and carry on the faith. because he was a blacksmith, and pastor of the Hutterites. consequently, his group was refer It was through his leadership and Finally, under the tolerant reign of red to as the Schmiedeleut (the the efforts of his assistants that the Catherine the Great, the surviving Smith's people). well defined pattern of community Hutterites in Wallachia entered into A second congregation, distinct living developed, based on an inter a contract with Russian Count from the first group, lived com pretation of New Testament prin Romanzov in 1770, receiving permis munally at Hutterdorf under the ciples. Hutter was burned at the sion to settle on one of his manors in leadership of Darius Walter. It soon stake for his beliefs in 1536 at Inns the Northern Ukraine. Freedom of took the name Dariusleut (Darius' bruck, Austria. religion was guaranteed to them, people), after the given name of their and they were granted exemption minister. from military conscription. The third branch of the Hutterites, Hutterites in Europe the Lehrerleut (the teacher's people) An edict nullifying their grant of was not formed until after the ar The history 9f the Hutterites in exemption from military service was rival of its members in South Dakota. Europe falls into three general issued in 1871. After an appeal to The members of this branch had at periods: (1) approximately a century the crown failed, their non tempted to-establish a Bruderhof in in Moravia; ('2) nearly a century and resistance policy demanded they the village of Johannesruh but never a half in Hungary, Transylvania, and emigrate. The Hutterites and the quite succeeded. It was not until Wallachia; and (3) slightly over a Mennonites decided to send delega they settled in Sou th Dakota under century in Russia. tions to various countries, including the leadership of Jacob Wipf, an ac The Moravian nobles considered America, to look for possible loca complished teacher (Lehrer), that the Hutterites good tenants and pro- tions for their settlements. they began to live communally.
Settlement in The latter group of noncolony Hut miles north of Yankton on govern Dakota Territory terites became known as the ment grounds, spending the winter Prairieleut (prairie people). They liv in sod houses on the open prairie at ed on individual farms, continued to Silver Lake. In 1875 they moved 12 Between 1874 and 1879 practical speak "Hutterisch," and eventually miles west of Freeman in the valley ly all Hutterites left the Crimean joined Mennonite and other Protes at the confluence of the James River villages where they had been living. tant church groups.4 and Wolf Creek and established the Consequently, about 1300 Hut The first Hutterite colony was Old Wolf Creek colony. This colony terites, including those not living established 18 miles west of Yankton is the mother of all the Dariusleut communally, arrived in Dakota Ter along the Missouri River in 1874. colonies in this country and Canada. ritory during these 5 years. The settlers of this colony were The third and last group of Hut Michael Waldner's group; they nam terites to come from Russia had not After their arrival, these families ed their colony Bon Homme. Today it yet succeeded in forming a colony divided into about two equal is looked upon as the mother of all before they emigrated. However, groups-one choosing to live in col the Schmiedeleut colonies in North under the able leadership of teacher onies, the other electing to settle on America. Jacob Wipf, the group settled about private farms.3 35 miles southeast of Mitchell on the Later that same year Darius James River, and began to live com Walter's group located about 40 munally at Old Elm Springs colony in 'For estimate of 1880 colony Hutterite population, see Joseph 1877. This colony became W. Eaton end Albert J. Meyer. Man's capacity to reproduce: the foun A demography of a unique population. p 3. •Hostetler, pp 115-1 16. ding colony of the Lehrerleut
4 (teacher's people) branch of the Hut Migration to Canada vacated site of old Lehrerleut terites. Rockport colony near Alexandria. Although the three founding col Strong sentiments against the Hut onies developed into three distinct terites developed during World War Return from Canada people (Leut) within the Hutterite I because of their German Brethren, they are remarkably background, and even more, During the depression of the uniform in organization and com because of their refusal to par 1930's, the state and various other munal pattern of living. ticipate in any way in the war effort loan agencies had according to one However, each Leut has its own (including buying war bonds ). observer "acquired so much land discipline, senior elder, preacher, Actions of agencies such as the that they didn't know what to do assembly, and means of settling State Council of Defense led to pro with it all. With nobody farming it disputes. Even though they share the ceedings to annul their corporation and nobody buying it, it wasn't any same religious doctrine and social charters. As a result, 12 colonies left good to them.'' patterns, there are very few formal for Canada in 1918 .. Four more Agents were sent to Canada to ask relations between them. For exam followed; by 1934 only one Hutterite the Hutterites to come back.7 In ple, marriage between Leuts rarely colony (Old Bon Homme) remained in 1935, the South Dakota legislature occurs.5 South Dakota. However, later in that passed the Communal Corporation same year, Bon Homme established Early Growth and Expansion a new Rockport colony on the 'Jon Swan, "The 400-year-old commune," pp 90-100.
Between 1879 and 1917, new col
onies formed rapidly in South Table 1. Hutterite colonies in South Dakota and adjacent states, 1974.1 Dakota, due to the natural increase of population within the founder col Date Mother C.Olony 'Address Established C.Olony onies which led to colony divisions.6 Big Stone Graceville, MN 56240 1958 New Elm Springs, SD Daughter and granddaughter col Blumengard Wecota, SD 57480 1952 Blumengard, Man. onies were established along the Bon Homme Tabor, SD 57063 1874 Russia James River during this time by the Cedar Grove Platte, SD 57369 1972 Bon Homme, SD three .founder colonies. Clark Raymond, SD 57258 1955 Jamesville, SD Clover Leaf Howard, SD 57349 1963 Gracevale, SD By 1917, Bon Homme ( Schmie Deerfield Ipswich, SD 57451 1971 Plainview, SD deleut) had three daughter colonies Fairview LaMoure, ND 58458 1970 Rockport, SD -Milltown, Maxwell, and Huron. Fordham Carpenter, SD 57322 1974 Huron, SD The Milltown colony had two Glendale Frankfort, SD 5 7 440 1949 Bon Homme, Man. 1948 Tschetter, SD own-Rosedale Gracevale Winfred, SD 57076 daughters of her . Greenwood Delmont, SD 57330 1971 Jamesville, SD and James Valley. Hillside Doland, SD 5 7 436 1958 Huron, SD of Wolf Creek Huron Huron, SD 57350 1944 Jamesville, SD The founder colony Jamesville Utica, SD 57067 1937 Huron, Man. (Dariusleut) produced five daughter Long Lake Wetonka, SD 57482 1967 Pearl Creek, SD • colonies-Jamesville, Tschetter, Maple River Fullerton, ND 58441 1969 Blumengard, SD Spink, Lake Byron, and Richards. Maxwell Scotland, SD 57059 1949 New Elm Springs, SD Lake Byron had also produced a Millerdale Miller, SD 57362 1949 Milltown, Man. New Elm Springs Ethan, SD 57334 1936 Maxwell, Man. daughter colony of her own-Yale. Pearl Creek Iroquois, SD 57353 1949 Huron, Man. Branch colonies of Old Elm Pembrook Ipswich, SD 5745_1 1974 Tschetter, SD Springs (Lehrerleut) included Plainview Ipswich, SD 57451 1958 Spink, SD Rockport, New Elm Springs, and Platte Platte, SD 57369 1949 Bon Homme, SD Poinsett Estelline, SD 57234 1968 New Elm Springs, SD Milford. Riverside Huron, SD 57350 1949 Rockport, SD The original three founding col Rockport Alexandria, SD 57311 1934 Bon Homme, SD onies had divided and increased to a Rosedale Mitchell, SD 57301 1945 Rockport, SD total of 17 at the time of America's Spink Frankfort. SD 5 7 440 1945 Bon Homme, SD I. Six were Spring Creek Forbes, ND 58439 1964 Maxwell, SD entry into World War Spring Valley Wessington Springs, SD 57382 1963 Platte, SD Schmiedeleut; seven Dariusleut; and Thunderbird Wecota, SD 57480 1964 Glendale, SD four Lehrerleut. Tschetter Menno, SD 57045 1942 Barrickman, Man. White Rock Rosholt. SD 57260 1968 Rosedale, SD Wolf Creek Menno, SD 57045 1942 Tschetter, SD Glendale Farm2 Britton, SD 57430 1971 Glendale, SD 'Hostetler, pp 123-124. Gracevale Farm2 Bushnell, SD 57011 1972 Gracevale, SD
•The process of colony division is based on the size of the col Hillside Farm2 Elkton, SD 5 7026 1972 Hillside, SD ony's population. Hutterites do not believe in birth control Big Stone Farm2 Flandreau, SD 57028 1973 Big Stone, SD and follow the admonition, "Be ye fruitful and multiply." To Wolf Creek Farm2 Ramona, SD 57054 1974 Wolf Creek, SD maintain the colony as an effective and viable organizational unit, a daughter colony is established at a new location when Riverside Farm2 Garden City, SD 57236 1974 Riverside, SD the original (mother) colony reaches a population from 125 to 150. Approximately half of the original population moves to the new location. The other half stays at the old colony site. It ' Source: Riley field survey of South Dakota Hutterite colonies, 1974. is through this process of colony division that daughter, ' Colony farm is distinguished from an established Hutterite colony in that the farm is an emerging daughter colony under con granddaughter and great granddaughter colonies have struction and development of acreage purchased by the mother colony. The mother colony has not officially divided its popula developed from the three founding colonies. tion. Date is of first land purchase.
5 Act which allowed the colonies to in Dakota colonies migrated back from first to arrive in 1936 and settled at corporate and granted them the Canada-all of them are of the the location of Old Elm Springs col same tax benefits received by Schmiedeleut branch.8 ony near Ethan (Table 1 and Map 1). cooperatives. Under these condi New Elm Springs, a grand Another granddaughter (Jamesville) tions, some of the colonies began daughter of Bon Homme, was the returned from Canada in 193 7 to its returning from Canada. present site near Utica. Tschetter, Contrary to common conception, 'information for this section based on interviews in field founded in 1941, is a great survey 1957. See Riley, "Communal Farmers/The Hutterite only seven of the present South Brethren." granddaughter of Bon Homme which
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GIEN • Wetonio MARSHALL LONG LAkE PlAirwiEw • . e DE:rnfidd Ipswich• DAY ePEMboook EDMUNDS GRANT JlnJl!dERbiRd • • �IUMENGAR POTTER � Garden (dy• FAULK Dol nd • RivERsidE • Raymond FARM DEUEL • ClARk SULLY • Estelline• BEADLE •Miller BROOKINGS HUGHES RiVERsidE KINGSBURY Bushn�JI • •\uron .GRACEVAI E Iroquois FARM PE.ARI CREEk • ' HillsidE • • E lton '\-�_.1.�-r-�__JL-��--,-�---lr---�-t-��-.-�--''--�,-FARM BUFFALO · Romona• MOODY • Weuingfon Springs Clovrn LEAf e \\blf Olt:Ek • FARM • BiG STONE JERAULD Winfred Flandreau • Howard • fARM .GAACEVAfE MINER LAKE BRULE AURORA MC COOK MINNEHAHA • Post Office e HumRiTE ColONy Map 1. South Dakota Hutterite colonies, 1974. Date from Riley survey, 1974. 6 reoccupied an old colony site north tled near Frankfort, Miller, and Iro:. purchased and construction begun of Olivet. Three other grand quois, respectively. Blumengard, a on six new colony farms.11 daughters, (Millerdale, Glendale, great granddaughter of Bon Homme, The first two colonies of this and Pearl Creek) came from Canada came from Canada the following period were constructed on sites in in 1949. The last colony to come from year. In 1955, Clark colony, a North Dakota. Blumengard Canada (Blumengard) moved from daughter of Jamesville, was established the Maple River colony Manitoba in 1952 and settled near established near Raymond. Big near Fullerton, North Dakota, in Wecota. Stone colony, a daughter of New Elm 1969; in the following year Rockport Springs, was started near built Fairview colony on land near Graceville, Minnesota, in 1958. Dur La Moure, North Dakota. ing 1959 Spink founded a daughter In 1970 construction was started Recent Growth and Expansion colony (Plainview) near Ipswich. on Greenwood, a daughter colony for In 1961, Hillside was established Jamesville, on farmland purchased All of the Hutterite colonies in near its mother colony, Huron. near Delmont. South Dakota at the present time are Spring Valley, a daughter of Platte Plainview, a daughter of Spink Schmiedeleut and have come into ex colony, and Clover Leaf, a daughter and a granddaughter of Bon Homme, istence in one of the following ways: of Gracevale, were established in divided in 1971 and established its 1) daughter colonies of Bon Homme 1963 near Wessington Springs and new daughter colony (Deerfield) 15 colony established in South Dakota Carthage respectively. miles north and east of Ipswich. since 1934; 2) daughter, grand Three colonies were established In 1972 Bon Homme colony daughter, or great granddaughter in 1964: Tschetter started Wolf established another daughter, this colonies of Bon Homme that return Creek near Menno; Maxwell started time near Platte, and named it Cedar ed from Canada in the 1936-1952 Spring Creek in South Dakota near Grove. period; and 3) daughter and grand Forbes, North Dakota; and Glendale The last two colonies covered in daughter colonies resulting from the began Thunderbird colony near this report were established in 1974. division in South Dakota of the col Norbeck. Long Lake, near Wetonka, Pembrook, located about 5 miles onies in categories 1 and 2.9 was established by Pearl Creek in south of Ipswich, is a daughter of In 1942 at the beginning of World 1966. Rosedale branched in 1968 Tschetter colony. Fordham, a War II there were five Hutterite col and started the White Rock colony daughter of Huron, is located about onies in South Dakota: Bon Homme near Rosholt. Also in 1968, the 12 miles north of Carpenter. and her daughter Rockport, and the Poinsett colony was established three colonies (New Elm Springs, north of Estelline. Jamesville, and Tschetter) that had New Colony Farms returned from Canada. During 1944 Jamesville establish New Colonies since 1969 According to Hutterite beliefs and ed a daughter (Huron colony)on an practices, colonies reach a point in population size and economic old colony site north of the city of During the last five years development which dictates the Huron (Table 1 and Map 1). (1969-1974) covered by the present In 1945 two new colonies were study, seven new colonies were established. Spink, a new branch of established. In addition, land was "Information collected during 1974 field survey. Bon Homme, was established about 10 miles south of Frankfort, and Rosedale was set up near Rockport colony from which it came. New Elm Springs founded a daughter colony (Maxwell) near Scotland in 1947; Gracevale, a daughter of Tschetter, was established near Winfred in 1948. Five colonies began in 1949.10 Bon Homme started the Platte colony near Academy; Rockport began Riverside north of Huron; and three granddaughters of Bon Homme (Glendale, Millerdale, and Pearl Creek) came from Canada and ·set- ' Information in this section based on interviews conducted during field survey in 1964. See Riley and James R. Stewart. The Hutterites: South Dakota's communal farmers. Resentment against the Hutterites during colony site 20 miles west of Freeman when it '°Information obtained in interviews and correspondence dur ing field survey in 1968. See Riley and Darryll Johnson. South WWI set the stage for a migration to Canada. returned to South Dakota in 1941. This is a Dakota Hutterite colonies 1874-1969. The Tschetter colony resettled the old Kutter 1957 photo. 7 Set of photos of Wolf Creek colony in 1974 farther back, the schoolhouse. In the center Creek are hog units and other livestock shows the layout of a colony except for field are dwelling units and the communal dining quarters. crops, pastures, and livestock. To the left are hall; behind are the dairy and poultry units. grain storage and feed mill, shop units, and Orchard and bees are at right. Across Wolf necessity for colony division. Certain colony. Approximately half of the onies purchased land for colony steps accompany this process. population goes to the new colony farms in 1972, Gracevale buying Assuming the colony's financial and half stays at the old colony. 2100 acres near Bushnell, and aff airs are in good order, the first When the colony's population has Hillside approximately 1500 acres step toward division is the purchase been divided and the move has taken near Elkton. Big Stone colony in Min of farmland for a new colony site. place, the colony "farm" ceases to nesota decided to set up her After the land has been purchased, be a farm and becomes an establish daughter colony back in South the next step is to send work crews ed colony. Dakota and consequently purchased out to begin the construction of living This, in very general terms, is how about 500 acres for the Pleasant quarters, a dining hall, and all of the colony division has traditionally pro Valley farm near Flandreau in 1973. farm buildings needed for the ceeded until recent ·years, and the New Wolf Creek colony set up her various agricultural enterprises of whole process is very crucial to Hut colony farm with a purchase of land the colony. terite colony survival. This pattern, (about 1500 acres) near Oldham in Later, after these steps have been however, appears to be changing. 1974. During that same year River completed and the colony is ready In 1971 Glendale colony purchas side colony bought 1000 acres of for occupancy, there is a formal divi ed 3100 acres for a colony farm near land near Garden City for the site of sion of the population of the founding Britton. Gracevale and Hillside col- their future colony. ______Beliefs and Principles______ A number of years ago the Hut dresses and aprons. For some col The Hutterites' World View terites were readily distinguishable onies, at least in the summer, the lit from their rural neighbors by their tle white cap may be worn in place Sociologist Dr. John Hostetler's re garb and mode of life. Their style of of the larger polka-dotted headscarf. cent book Hutterite Society includes living is still different; but recent These minor changes in Hutterite a chapter interpreting the modifications in everyday Hutterite dress have not altered their basic or "world view" of wearing apparel make these people beliefs and principles. The practice Weltanschauung the Hutterite Brethren.12 He has less visible today. of communal ownership of property Although the men still wear black and the form of colony organization made an extensive study of Hutterite coats, trousers, and hats to church, is still the same, in spite of modern life, particularly in the areas of everyday garb may consist of a plaid conveniences. The communal dining educ ati on and socialization of the shirt, suspenders, and black hall is still the place where all meals children. trousers, and a summer straw hat are served. Church services are held Hostetler contends that it is the with closely cropped beard for mar in the dining hall, school building, or belief system of the Hutterites that ried men. The women's apparel has in a separate church building, just given way to brighter colored as in the past. "Hostetler. pp 140-151. 8 and God-commanded. Hutterite rela tion to the Deity is governed by the God is the Creator, the belief that . supreme, all-powerful being to whom all should give obedience. The Hutterites' ways are sanctioned by this infinitely wise Deity who must be obeyed even to martyrdom. Their beliefs are revealed through a literal interpretation of the scriptures and are regarded as direct expressions of the will of God. The principle of communal living. To the Hutterites, ownership of per sonal property makes living the good A quiet afternoon lured these little girls to a Christian life impossible. Therefore, swing at the Millerdale colony. The colony was constructed in 1949 and is located 15 miles except for a few personal items, all southwest of Miller. things in the colonies are owned by the community. Within reasonable limits there is complete equality and undergirds the whole of Hutterite everyone is cared for. 14 society. The total system rests on the The rationale behind the principle belief that absolute authority The broom factory at Big Stone colony has of communal living is revealed in a been active since the 1950's. Big Stone is the resides in a single omnipotent God statement from their petition to only colony in Minnesota. (Photo courtesy who is spiritual, unchanging, and President Woodrow Wilson in 1918: Fargo-Moorhead Sunday Forum) eternal. He created the universe and places everything in a divine order living is indicated by another state The fundamental principles of our and proper hierarchy. ment from the same petition: . faith, as concerns practical life, are This spiritual realm stands in mark community of goods and non-resistance. Our community life is based on God's ed contrast to the Weltgeist or Our community life is founded on the word and we could not serve God accor "world spirit" consisting of the tran principle, 'What is mine is thine,' or in ding to the dictates of our conscience if other words, on brotherly love and hum we were not permitted of the to live together sitory and temporal aspects ble Christian service, according to Acts in our communities. Our members material world. 2:44 and 45: 'And all that believed were would by the help of God. suffer what Man was made to worship God the together, and had all things in common; He may permit, rather than consent to creator, not the things created by and sold their possessions and goods leave the community life.14 and parted them to all men, as every God (the material world). The orien man has need.' Non-resistance. The Hutterite in tation of the Hutterites, then, is terpretation of Christianity is that toward life after death rather than The importance the Hutterites at Christians are not to serve in war or the pleasures of this earthly life. tach to the principle of communal to take revenge. The principle of Their belief system contains not non-violence is not unique to the Hut only a "world view," but also terites; it is practiced by other guidelines for carrying out those religious sects such as the Quakers beliefs in practical life situations. and the Amish. Biblical admonitions Their belief system provides the goal cited to support their belief of for the group, and the communal nonresistance include Luke 2:8-20; form of organization (the colony) Isaiah 2: 1-4; Micah 4: 1-4; and becomes the means or instrument Romans 12:14-21. for achieving those ends. Isolation and nonconformity to Central Beliefs secular society. Hutterites desire to remain as far as possible from the Dr. Lee Deets, in his study of Hut influences of the outside world. terite communities in the 1930's, Worldly pleasures are to be avoided; found that all sanctioned actjvity the plain, simple life is preferred. within the community is ordered Christians, according to their belief, around several central beliefs. 13 should not conform to the world According to their beliefs, the Hut This homemade "hay buster" for grinding (Romans 12:2). Nonconformity is ex terites' way of life is God-sanctioned large hay bales was constructed in 1973 at the Blumengard colony. Blumengard was the last pected in all situations where stan- colony to come from Canada to South Dakota in 1950 and is located 10 miles north of "Lee E. Deets. The Hutterites: A study in social cohesion. pp "Deets. p 21. See also Peter Hofer. The Hutterian Brethren 16-28. Faulkt�n. and their beliefs. 9 dards of the world conflict with their Hutterites should not be considered admonitions against pride, a pattern ' interpretation of bibiical standards. inclusive. Many other doctrines of discipline, and restrictions on ap parel and ornamentation. These stemming from these central beliefs more specific teachings also have Other related beliefs. The help cement their religious and scriptural basis and are just as bin preceding enumerated beliefs of the social structure. Among these are ding as the central beliefs. ____ Hutterite Principles Applied to Agriculture ____ Three principles derived from the barns and sheds for livestock and demand is greatest. Hutterites' religious beliefs serve as poultry. Beyond are the pastures Although election to the position general rules for everyday life. and fields. of department head is usually an First, Hutterites attach impor nual, a capable man may be re tance to the principle of "self Work Organization elected time and again. After years sufficiency." Each colony attempts of experience in an enterprise, first to be as independent and self The division of la bar inherent in as an apprentice and then by obtain sustaining as possible by producing colony organization, through which ing information from company most of the goods and services it work and productivity is departmen salesmen, county extension agents, uses. talized, permits the Hutterites to and reading articles in farm jour For the Hutterites, the emphasis engage in many farming enterprises. nals, most department heads become on self-sufficiency has always had The older, more responsible men local "specialists" in their field. more than an economic motivation. of the colony serve as department The infusion of Hutterite tradition It keeps down contacts with the out heads in charge of various farm into work routines has been sum side world. It also reflects the enterprises such as crops, cattle, marized very effectively: religious emphasis on the principle and poultry. Each department head Work routines, as with nearly of austere simplicity. Diversification is responsible to the colony business everything in the colony, are well of colony enterprise is one result of manager. organized to assure efficiency and the application of this principle. maintenance of tradition. Men and The colony's labor supply is divid women work at assigned tasks in Another principle, "simplicity of ed among the various departments. groups, organized according to age and living," further contributes to self Each department head may have an sex. Women, who labor almost ex sufficiency by limiting the needs and assistant and one or more helpers clusively at domestic chores, teach young girls the arts of baking and demands of the Hutterites. It con working under him, depending on trols what can be produced in the careful food preparation. Men usually the size and importance of the enter develop two special seasonal skills, and colony. prise. Work arrangements allow for they also apprentice colony boys in A third principle, "efficiency," en flexibility in the use of manpower, various crafts. Unlike other religious courages them to accept changes in particularly in departments with communal groups, Hutterites eagerly farming practices. The Hutterites, in adopt modern machinery in their work, high seasonal requirements for but the object of work is not affluence contrast to the Old Order Amish, labor. Men are shifted to where the nor a desire for luxury-work sustains justify the use of modern agri cultural technology by stating, "It's not the thing itself that's good or bad, it's the use to which it is put." It also helps explain the extensive use of labor- and cost-saving devices in crop, livestock, and poultry produc tion. Colony Organization Hutterites live in small agricultural villages (Bruderhofs) in the center of their landholdings. Each colony headquarters consists of a cluster of buildings. Residences, communal dining hall, church, and school are in the center. Partly sur rounding this area are the main Poinsett colony was one of the first to utilize Spring, was constructed in 1968 5 miles north tenance shops. A short distance all new ranch style houses for its dwelling of Estelline. beyond are the granaries and the units. The colony, a daughter of New Elm 10 the community, making the spiritual life are willing to try new developments However, even with a high degree possible. '5 in farm techniques and machinery. of mechanization, extensive crop Although exceptions may be pointed rotation, and liberal use of fer Mechanized Farming out, the Hutterites are farmers who tilizers, the Hutterites feel caught in attempt to keep up-to-date in their the inflationary spiral of relatively It is possible for a colony to ar farming practices. low prices and ever incr�asing range its cropland into large fields to The early Hutterite settlements in costs. They know that their make extensive use of power equip South Dakota recognized the need agricultural production must be fed ment. Hutterite track and diesel for soil conservation and recondi to their livestock and poultry before tractors pull plows with as many as tioning. they can realize significant gains. nine 14-inch bottoms or three sub They presently use subsoilers, Supported by their principles of soilers hitched in tandem. disc plows, and ground chisels to conserve both soil and moisture. self-sufficiency, simplicity of living, To improve and increase produc Crop rotations have been practiced and efficiency, this inflationary tion and efficiency, the Hutterites for many years. Although livestock spiral encourages them to concen production provides manure for trate on one or two "specialties" "Dorothy Schwieder. "Frontier Brethren: The Hutterite Ex their land, they are using more com while maintaining their basic set of perience in the American West." mercial fertilizers. livestock and poultry enterprises. Hutterite Colonies, Popufation and Agriculture Hutterite Colonies in North America Although Dakota Territory was The original three Hutterite col flourishing, with 228 colonies in the original home in North America onies of Bon Homme, Wolf Creek, North America and a population of for all the Hutterites that left Russia and Old Elm Spring had a total over 22,000 (Map 2, Table 2).17 in the 1874-77 period, by 1974 Hut population of 443 in 1880.16 In less The Hutterites have been essen terite colonies dotted the plains of than 100 years the religious sect was tially a "closed population" since several northern prairie states and their arrival in North America. three western provinces of Canada. "Eaton and Mayer. pp 2-3. Their growth has come almost en tirely from the natural increase of their population-the excess of births over deaths. The Hutterite cultural norms of restricting the use of birth control and the practice of colony division have created a modern demographic phenomenon. Location of Colonies In 197 4 nearly three fourths of all Hutterite colonies were located in Canada.18 The first colonies had mov ed there from South Dakota and Montana in 1918, and by 1974 there were 167 colonies in Canada (Map 2, Table 2). The largest number (86) was in the province of Alberta. Manitoba had 53 and Saskatchewan "Hostetler. p 295. Hosteller's figure is adjusted on the basis It is fitting that Bon Homme, the oldest Hut counts of all their beliefs, experiences, of the South Dakota survey [see Table 2 footnote). terite colony in America, is the home of the persecutions, and their martyrs since the original copy of Die olteste Chronik der Hut beginning of the faith in 1528. It is brought up "An estimate of the distribution of Hutterite population in 1974 can be obtained by examining the distribution of Hut terischen Bruder. This is the precious "great to date every year. (Photo courtesy Jerry terite colonies inasmuch as each colony had. on the average. history book" which contains handwritten ac- Welch, Rochester Post-Bulletin) approximately 100 persons. 11 ii I I Bon Homme, eldest of them all Their religion forbids Hutterites to bear arms. When an 1871 edict nullified their exemption from military service, the Hutterites emigrated from the Ukraine in Russia, settling in Dakota Territory. Bon Homme, 18 miles west of Yankton, was the first colony establish ed in North America. Because they again refused to participate in any war effort, sentiments against the Hutterites mounted during and after WWI. All colonies migrated to Canada, with the single exception of Bon Homme. All present colonies in South Dakota are descendants of this one colony. The "community" is paramount to the Hutterite faith. Boys do not go for Sunday walks alone; they go in groups. Women work and sing in the potato field (on the shores of Lewis and Clark Lake) together. "Department heads" and apprentices work at tasks together. Community of goods and nonviolence are basic principles of the Hutterite faith: they are practiced today with the same commitment as when Bon Homme was established in 1874. (Photos courtesy Jerry Welch. Rochester Post-Bulletin) from Manitoba in 1950, followed by Distribution two more from South Dakota in 1970. Minnesota's one colony came from The three groups (Leuts) of Hut South Dakota in 1958. Washington terites stemming from the received its first colony from three Canada in 1960; its second colony is founding colonies in South Dakota a daughter of the first one. were not distributed evenly throughout the region in 1974. 2. Table Total Hutterite colonies in North The largest group was America, 1974* the Schmiedeleut who are all related to Canada Number United States Number the mother colony Bon Homme. The Alberta 86 Minnesota 1 89 colonies were located exclusively One of the bywords into which Hutterites have Manitoba 53 Montana 23 translated their faith is "efficiency." These Saskatch- 28 North Dakota 3 in the eastern area of the northern tractors are common; many colonies have ewan South Dakota 32 plains region. All colonies in South FWD Steigers with dual wheels. 2 Washington Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota Total 167 Total 61 and Manitoba are Schiedeleut. had the smallest number with 28. Canada United States In the United States, South Dakota North America The 78 colonies of the Dariusleut ranked first in number of colonies Group Number and the 61 of the Lehrerleut were with 32; Montana, after receiving Schmiedeleut 89 78 located in Saskatchewan, Alberta, her first colony from South Dakota in Dariusleut Lehrerleut 61 Montana, and Washington. The ma 1912, ranked a distant second with jority of Lehrerleut colonies was in 23 colonies. Total North America 228 Two other plains states were set Montana and Saskatchewan, while tled by the Hutterites after 1950. *South Dakota data from Riley survey and excludes six col the Dariusleut majority was in ony farms. Remainder of data from John Hostetler. The Hut The first North Dakota colony came terites. 1974. Appendix 15. with minor adjustments. Alberta. Map 2. Hutterite colonies in North America, 1977. {Map courtesy Dorothy Schwieder, Iowa State University) 14 ______� South Dakota Colonies Population and Acreage acreage operated. However, when and the average acres per person the acreage is averaged out per col was up 6% (3 acres). The findings that follow are based ony, there is litle change in land on a field survey of all South Dakota operated per colony. Hutterite colonies in 1974. Size Comparison with Wherever possible, they are com Average colony. Date from the Non-Hutterite Farms pared to a similar 1964 survey. This 19 7 4 survey show that the provides a basis for observing "average" South Dakota colony A frequently asked question is, changes in population, colonies, and operated 5,323 acres of farmland "How do Hutterite farms compare agriculture. (4,928 owned and 395 leased, Table with the average farm size in South In 1974, there were 3,210 Hut 4). Of this acreage, 3,298 acres were Dakota?" There are two major pro in cropland; the remaining 2,025 terites living in 32 colonies in South blems that make this type of com acres in pasture and other uses. Dakota (Table 3). The colonies rang parison difficult. ed in population from the smallest The colony farmland suported, on First, there is no individual or with 56 people to the largest with the average, a population of 100 family ownership or operation of 148. The average was slightly over people-15 families with an average farmland among Hutterites. 100 persons. of slightly less than seven persons The total Soutli Dakota Hutterite per family. Second, Hutterite colonies are population was comprised of 476 spread throughout the land area of families; the average number of East River, South Dakota, which has families per colony was 15. The a considerable variation in soil and average size of the Hutterite family Table 4. Farmland operated by South Dakota climatic conditions. Consequently, was slightly under seven persons in Hutterite colonies, 1964 and 1974.1 an average size farm in the 1974. Change southeastern part of the state is dif During the period 1964 to 1974, Farmland 1964 1974 1964-1974 ferent from one in the northeast or both the number of colonies and the Operated 122,015 170,344 48,329 north central area. population of Hutterites in South Owned 113,080 157,699 46,619 Rented 8,935 12,645 3,710 To reduce these two problems, a Dakota increased by a bout one third. 92.6 % owned 92.2 comparison is made between the This was due primarily to natural in Cropland 64,173 105,533 41,360 average size (number of acres) of crease; no colonies moved into South Pasture 57,402 64,811 7,409 Dakota from out of state during the % cropland 52.6 62.0 10.6 South Dakota farms with the period. Acres per average number of acres operated colony 5,065 5,323 258 by a Hutterite family. It is realized Acres per that these two units are not strictly Table 3. Population characteristics of South family 357 .8 357 .9 0. 1 1964-1974.1 Dakota Hutterite colonies Acres per comparable, but it does give us an person 49.9 53. 1 3.2 approximation. The average size of Population ' Data based on 1974 Riley survey on 32 South Dakot a col characteristics 1964 1974 farm is determined for each onies and 1964 survey of 24 colonies. geographical district of the state us Total population 2443 3210 Totai colonies 24 32 ed by the Cooperative Agriculture Average number persons 101.8 100.3 and Livestock Reporting Service in per colony Because Hutterite colony land is 1974. Total number families 34 1 476 Average number families 14.2 14.9 owned and operated by the members per colony working cooperatively, it is not In each district, the average size possible to determine acreage farm is larger than the average Average number persons 7.2 6.7 operated by separate families or in number of acres per Hutterite family (Table 5). Farmland 1964 1974 dividuals. However, statistical Acres operated 122,015 170,344 averages indicate that each family Acres per colony 5,084 5,323 operated the equivalent of 359 acres The greatest difference occurs in Acres per family 357.8 357.9 the North Central District Acres per person 49.9 53. 1 of which 223 acres were cropland. When Hutterite farmland was (Aberdeen-Ipswich-Faulkton area}; ' Data based on 1974 Riley survey of 32 South Da�ota col- averaged out on a per person basis it the smallest difference is in the onies. amounted to about 53 acres per per Southeast District (Yankton, Union, son in 1974. Average acreage per and Lincoln counties area). The find Major changes since the 1964 colony did not change much from ings from this comparison are only survey include an increase in total 1964 to 1974, up 239 acres or 5% for approximate, because they do not number of colonies from 24 to 32 and the 10 years (Table 4). Average provide as precise a measure of the an accompanying increase in total acres per family showed no change, crucial variables as desired. 15 1974 ______Major Crop and Livestock Enterprises in Major Crops Table 5. Comparison of average size of all farms with average number of acres per Hutterite All of the Hutterite colonies famlly by district, 1974. * operate from an agricultural base, Average Average acres Hutterite and their crop production is utilized sl.r.e of Hutterite No. of colonies Total chiefly as feed for their livestock District farm (acres) family In district Families acres and poultry operations. Even so, it is Southeast 370 351 8 103 36, 174 257 5 93 23,858 not always sufficient to meet their East central 420 Central 1125 373 5 74 26,360 need, and additional feed must be Northeast 535 291 2 31 9,020 purchased from the outside. North central 1025 428 12 175 74,932 Total state 1046 358 32 476 170,344 In 1974, corn continued to be the 1975, P important grain crop in terms of •a. Average size of farm by district in 1974 from South Dakota Crop and Livestock Reporting Service, Annual Report 92. acreage planted. All colonies b. Data on South Dakota Hutterite colonies [32 colonies and 5 farms) acreage operated in 1974 from Hutterite colony survey. on c. Hutterite farm acreage included in Average Size Farm column. The five districts in the table represent counties grouped planted corn-over 31,000 acres the basis of geographical subdivisions of East River, South Dakota. that year (Table 6). Barley moved up d. State total is based on all districts in the state. significantly after 1964 and ranked second in acreage (26 colonies plant agricultural ecomony is in the pro Table 8. Livestock and poultry, numbers on ing over 19,000 acres). cessing of grain and forage crops for and/or produced by Hutterite colonies by 1974. Major shifts in agriculture from livestock and poultry. type, 1964 to 1974 can be assessed by Traditionally, Hutterite farming Total units Number of Average referring to the rankings given by for colo- colonies units per practices have been characterized Type nies (32} with units colony the colony farm managers to by diversification both in crop and Beef 7,570 30 252 agricultural production (Table 7). livestock enterprises. Although this Hogs 72,630 32 2,270 It is apparent that Hutterite is still true, it has become increas Sheep 6,770 12 565 managers have chosen corn as a ma ingly common for a colony to em Dairy Milked 2,440 32 76 jor enterprise, while the emphasis in phasize one or another livestock or Turkeys 292,000 11 26,545 small grains has shifted from wheat poultry enterprise over other types. Chickens 274,900 31 8,868 and oats to barley. The Hutterites For example, turkey and/or hog pro Geese 84,360 24 3,515 have significantly reduced the pro duction have become predominant in Ducks 26,250 28 938 Bee Hives 530 26 20 duction of sorghum, but alfalfa con recent years (Table ·8). tinues to be important. Proportion of state's production. There are some instances, par third and chickens (layers) nearly a Table 6. Number of acres in crops for South ticularly poultry, where Hutterite tenth.19 Dakota Hutterite colonies, 1974. colony production constitutes a Even though livestock and poultry significant proportion of South production is geared for the market, Average Number of acres per Dakota's output. In the case of ducks a portion of their total production Total acres colonies colony with and geese, it is estimated the col Crop In crop with crop crop onies produced about half of the Corn 31,790 32 993 "For South Dakota's total production see: South Dakota Barley 19,340 26 744 state's total, with turkeys about a agriculture, 1974. Oats 12,480 30 416 Alfalfa 10,710 29 369 Wheat 7,410 16 463 Sorghum 6,920 16 433 Rye 760 6 126 Table 7. Top three crops grown ranked on the basis of colony farm manager estimates, 1964 Soybean 570 3 190 and 1974.1 Garden 260 32 8 Orchard 82 18 5 Percent of Colonies Ranked Enterprise As: Broom corn 53 5 11 1st Priority 2nd Priority 3rd Priority Ranks In top 3 Idle acres and Enterprise 1964 1974 1964 1974 1964 1974 1964 1974 other 15,162 Number of Colonies (24) (32) (24) (32) (24) (32) (24) (32) • Data from Riley survey, 1974. Corn 46% 63% 17% 25% 13% 6% 76% 94 % Sorghum 25% 3% 29% 16% 13% 9% 67% 28% Oats 13% 0% 25% 16% 33% 41% 71% 57% Wheat 13% 0% 25% 9% 4% 9% 42% 18% Livestock and Poultry Alfalfa 4% 0% 0% 3% 21% 25% 25% 28% Enterprises Barley 0% 34% 4% 28% 13% 6% 17% 68% Flax 0% 0% 0% 0% 4% 0% 4% 0% Soybean 0% 0% 0% 3% 0% 3% 0% 6% Although much of Hutterite farm ing activity is involved in crop pro Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% duction, the main thrust of their ' Data from 1964 and 1974 Riley surveys. Percents rounded and do not necessarily total 100%. 16 goes for colony consumption. Colony food requirements are most often met in the form of pork, ducks, geese, chickens, milk, and eggs made available to the communal kitchen from various colony departments. Whether it is be ca use of cost or preference, beef is used only occa sionally. Mutton and lamb for the table is on the decline except for chislic, which is a favored delicacy. All South Dakota colonies together had about Poinsett men and boys turn out to help with the 10,000 acres of alfalfa in 1974. Almost all haying. In 1964, first priority was cattle, included the following for both 1964 hogs, and turkeys in that order, with and 197 4: first was hogs, second cat 96 % of the colonies selecting one of tle, and turkeys and dairy tied for the three; in 1974, 94% of the third. Major shifts involve increased managers ranked hogs, turkeys and emphasis on milk production, par For some colonies turkeys have been the major dairy, respectively. ticularly bulk milk, either grade A or income enterprise, with a few colonies In their ranking of the total top B. A decrease in the emphasis on marketing around 100,000 birds. three enterprises, colony managers ·sheep is apparent. Top income producing enter· Table 9. Top three livestoclc and poultry enterprises ranked by colonies as major source of in- 1964 1974.1 prises. Colony business managers come, and were asked to rank their top three livestock and poultry enterprises on Percent of Colonies Ranking Enterprise As: 1st Priority 2nd Priority 3rd Priority ln top 3 the basis of source of colony income. Enterprise 1964 1974 1964 1974 1964 1974 1964 1974 Over a third of the managers (38%) Number of colonies (24) (32) (24) (32) (24) (32) (24) (32) cattle first in 1964 (Table 9). chose Cattle 38% 3% 29% 39% 21% 25% 88% 67% By 1974 hog production was rated Hogs 33% 69% 38% 16% 21% 6% 92% 91% highest by 69 % of the managers, up Turkeys 25% 19% 8% 9% 0% 3% 33% 31% from 33% in 1964. Many managers Sheep 4% 0% 4% 0% 25% 16% 33% 16% in 1974 showed strong interest in Dairy 0% 6% 8% 31% 22% 25% 30% 65 % Chickens 0% 3% 13% 3% 12% 16% 25% 22% greater involvement in pork produc Geese 0% 0% 0% 3% 0% 6% 0% 9% tion, with the objective of producing about 4,000 or more hogs a year for Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% market in the very near future. ' Data from Riley survey. 1964 and 1974. Percents rounded and do not necessarily total 100%. ��- South Dakota vs. Manitoba Hutterite Colonies -��-- How unique are South Dakota's social and economic structures? colonies in South Dakota and the Hutterite colonies? Do colonies Recently data have become province of Manitoba, Canada.2° Col- located in different geographical available that permits a comparison of general characteristics between 20John Ryan. The agricultural economy of Manitoba Hutterite and political settings have different _ colonies. 1977. 17 onies in both locations are of the comparisons are instructive. Table 11. A comparison of agricultural enter in Schmiedeleut branch, sharing all of In 1968 Manitoba colonies had prises South Dakota and Manitoba Hut· terite colonies, 1968.1 the traditions of the subculture of more families and a larger popula the same Leut. Manitoba colony data tion than South Dakota (Table 11). South Dakota Manitoba is comparable to our data for South Manitoba colonies also operated a Agriculture (1968) (1968) Dakota colonies for 1968 and 1974. larger acreage of farmland. They Total number colonies 27 43 owned more of their land (96% vs. Total population 2,772 4,362 Population and Colony 88%). They had a considerable Total acres operated 145,461 165,887 larger portion of cropland (7 4 % vs. % Land rental 12% 4% Characteristics 56% 56%). % Land in cropland 74% Average acres per colony 5,387 3,858 However, when we control for dif Average acres per family 378 261 Manitoba had more colonies, more ference in size by using averages, we Average acres per person 52 38 families, and a larger Hutterite find that South Dakota colonies were ' John Ryan, The agricultural economy of the Manitoba Hut population for both 1968 and 58-59 258-275. 40% larger in acreage than terite colonies. pp and 1974-75 than South Dakota (Table Marvin Riley and Darryll Johnson. South Dakota Hutterite col onies. 1874-1969, pp 18-22. 10); for that 6-year period, Manitoba Manitoba colonies. Likewise, the had a slightly higher rate of popula average number of acres per family was 42% smaller in Manitoba and tion increase (16% vs. 19%). Other overall, some very striking acreage per person was 3 7 % population and colony characteris similarities. tics were quite similar. smaller than in South Dakota. Acreage per colony is con siderably less in Manitoba, but the Colony Agriculture Overall Comparison land supports and maintains essen tially the same number of families Unfortunately, there are no The comparison of Manitoba with and population per colony as South agricultural data for the two areas South Dakota Hutterite colonies Dakota. for both periods. However, some reveals some basic differences, and Even though all these colonies are organized according to the tradi Table 10. A comparison of population characteristics of South Dakota and Manitoba Hutterite tional pattern of Hutterite principles 1968, 1974-75.1 colonies, and beliefs, some procedural dif South Dakota Manitoba ferences may exist between these Population 1968 1974 1968 1975 groups. Number of colonies 27 32 43 60 Population 2772 3210 4362 5191 For example, Manitoba colonies Number of families 390 476 635 850 appear to be dividing in a shorter Average population 103 102 101 87 per colony period of time than South Dakota col Average number families 14.4 14.9 14.8 14.2 onies. Whether the smaller amount per colony of acreage for Manitoba colonies is Average number persons 7.1 6.7 6.9 6. 1 due to differences in agricultural per family practices and/or differences in the ' John Ryan, The agricultural economy of the Manitoba Hutterite colonies. pp 58-59 and 258-275. Riley, and Darryll Johnson. South Dakota Hutterite colonies. 1874-1969, pp 18-22. lifestyles of the two groups remains 1974 data from Riley colony survey, 1974. a topic for further study. Update: New Colonies and Farms, 1974-1979 ------ A number of significant changes Change in Number of the process of developing for new have occurred since the field survey Colonies and Farms daughter colonies. By the spring of of South Dakota Hutterite colonies 1979, five of these farms had been was made in 1974. A complete ac established as independent colonies count of these changes cannot be The first change is in the total through the division process. The documented without a new survey. number of South Dakota colonies. In sixth, Hillside colony farm, had an However, two important changes 19 7 4 there were 3 2 colonies in the official division in the summer of can be noted at this time from infor state; six had purchased farmland 1979 and named their Elkton colony mation furnished by the colonies. (colony farms) which they were in Brookdale. Table 12 shows the 18 Table 12. South Dakota Hutterite colony farms and new colonies, 1974-1979.1 to farm the land and build housing units, if needed. Orishial Mother First land acreaae Established As time goes by, colony-type Fann colony Location purchased purchased as colony buildings will be constructed. At this Glendale Glendale Britton, SD 1971 2940 1978 stage there is no school; only ffSunset colony) workers with preschool children are Gracevale Gracevale Bushnell, S D 1972 1340 1978 ffRoland colony) selected for the work force. Either Hillside Hillside Elkton, SD 1972 1460 1979 the minister or assistant minister ffBrookdale colony, from the mother colony is assigned see text) to oversee the work force and 1977 Big Stone Big Stone Flandreau, SD 1973 480 minister to the workers' spiritual ffPlesant Valley colony) Wolf Creek Wolf Creek Ramona, SD 1974 1513 1978 needs. ffSpring Lake colony) Within a few years, the construc Riverside Riverside Garden City, SD 1974 1000 1978 tion of facilities for livestock or ffHillcrest colony) poultry enterprises takes place. Usually these are the same enter prises emphasized in the mother col White Rock White Rock Moorehead, MN 1977 3000 ony. However, at the new location Spring Valley Spring Valley Letcher, SD 1977 1800 there is usually more modern equip Spink Spink Stratford, S D 1977 2700 Spring Creek Spring Creek Milnor, ND 1977 3300 ment with improved facilities. Platte Platte Kimball, SD 1978 2800 As time for colony division ap Maxwell Maxwell Wagner, SD 1978 2400 proaches, more farm enterprises Rosedale (Millbrook) Rosedale (Rosedale's 1978 will be added together with the ac Millsite) quisition of additional farmland. Rockport Rockport Alexandria, S D 1979 700 When the time for colony division ar ' Colony farm is distinguished from an established Hutlerite colony in that the farm is an emerging daughter colony under con rives it is anticipated that the new struction and development of acreage purchases by the mother colony but the mother colony has not officially divided its popula colony will have tion. as full a comple t Official colony name. ment of farm enterprises as planned, and sufficient farmland for major support of the colony's economy. names of these new colonies, their with smaller amounts of land and fewer The above account describes location, and the approximate enterprises together with approximate ly smaller populations. In time these col what we might call the "ideal type" number of acres of land in the onies will acquire additional amounts of of colony development under the original purchase. By summer 1979, land and will build their enterprises to emerging new pattern for colony South Dakota had 38 established col match those of other colonies. It should division. Some colony farms in their onies within its borders. be noted though, that this is a new 21 construction come fairly close to the During the period 1974 to 1979, development. Formerly, the mother colony model described above; others only seven more South Dakota colonies would purchase most, if not all, of approximate it. had purchased land for colony the total acreage for a daughter col farms. Five of these are in South ony. Shortly after purchasing the Dakota, one in Minnesota, and one in land, the mother colony would start North Dakota. These farms are in developing a headquarters by mov Reasons for Change various stages of development, rang ing in old buildings and/ or new con ing from only farming to construc struction. Within a period of one or tion of colony buildings. There are undoubtedly a number two years, the farm was converted of reasons why the shift in the pat into a new colony site ready for divi tern of colony division is taking sion. place. An outstanding factor involv Change in Pattern The emerging pattern of colony ed is the high cost of farmland. In of Colony Division - division, in contrast to the tradi 1960, some of the farmland in South tional pattern, typically involves the Dakota suitable for colony purposes It has been observed that the early purchase of a smaller acreage could be purchased at about $50 an mother colonies have, in recent of farmland. Usually this purchase acre. Today, similar farmland is sell years, taken a longer period of time takes place 4 to 7 years before the ing for approximately $425 an acre. to develop their colony farms from colony expects to divide, and the The average colony size in South date of first purchase of land to ac parcel of purchased land includes Dakota has been about 5,000 acres. tual colony division. The acreage at only about 1,000 to 2,000 acres. In 1960 it would have taken about first purchase also has been smaller After purchase of the land, it may be $250,000 to purchase farmland for a than in the past. The same trends simply cropped for a short period of colony; today it would cost over have appeared in the Manitoba col time. During this time, a small work $2,000,000. This does not include the onies: force may be assigned to the location cost of buildings, machinery, equip At the present time it is not unusual ment, and livestock, which have also to have new colonies being established "Ryan. p 262. increased in price. 19 Another reason for the shift to the vides a greater chance for addi colony being able to purchase the new pattern appears to be the prob tional acreages nearby to become farmland and to construct the new lem of obtaining farmland in large available. colony headquarters at a gradual blocks suitable for colony purposes. Whether the shift to a new pattern pace as time and money permit. Hutterites like to have their fields of colony division is functional for However, problems of morale of col adjacent to one another. Cropland in the colony-that is, advantages ony members engendered by the such large units is becoming difficult outweigh disadvantages-remains longer, more drawn out process of to find. Development of the new col to be seen. On the surface there are colony division remain to be deter ony over a longer period of time pro- distinct financial advantages to the mined. 20 Bennett, John W. Hutterian Brethren: The ag Peters, Victor. All things common: The Hutter Riley, Marvin P., and Darryll Johnson. South ricultural economy and social organization ite way of life, University of Minnesota Dakota Hutterite colonies: 1874-1969. South of a communal people. Stanford Uni Press, Press, Minneapolis, MN, 1965. Dakota State University, AES Bul 565, Stanford, CA, 1967. January 1970. Riley, Marvin P. "Communal farmers/the Hut Deets, Lee E. The Hutterites: A study in social Ryan, John. The agricultural economy of Mani terite Brethren." South Dakota Farm and cohesion. Times and News Pub Co, Get toba Hutterite colonies. Carlton Library Home Research 8:1, South Dakota State tysburg, PA, 1939. Original, McClelland and Stewart Lt, University, Brookings, SD, 1956. Toronto, 1977. Eaton, Joseph W., and Albert J. Mayer. Man's capacity to reproduce: A demography of a Riley, Marvin P. and David Priestly. "Agricul Schwieder, Dorothy, Frontier Brethren: The unique population. The Free Press, Glen ture on South Dakota's communal farms." Hutterite Experience in the American coe, IL, 1954. South Dakota Farm and Home Research 10, West. Montana, the magazine of Western South Dakota State University, Brookings, History, Montana Historical Society, Gross, Paul S. The Hutterite way. Freeman SD, February 1959. Helena, MT, Winter, 1978. Pub Co Lt, Saskatoon Canada, 1965. Riley, Marvin P. The Hutterite Brethren: An Hofer, Peter. The Hutterite Brethren and their Smith, Henry C. Smith's annotated bibliography with special story of the Menn� beliefs. Committee of Elders, The Hutterite nites. reference to South Dakota Hutterite col 3rd Revised Edition, Mennonite Brethren of Manitoba, RR 2, Starbuck, Publications Office, 1950. onies. South Dakota State University, AES Manitoba Canada, 1955. Bul 529, November 1965. South Dakota Crop and Livestock Reporting Horsch, John. The Hutterite Brethren, 1528- Service. 1975 Annual Report for South 1931. Goshen College, Goshen, IN, 1931. Riley, Marvin P., and James R. Stewart. The Dakota. Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 1975. Hutterites: South Dakota's communal Hostetler, John. Hutterite Society. John's Hop farmers. South Dakota State University, Swan, Jon. "The 400-year-old Commune." At kins Press, Baltimore, 1974. AES Bul 530, February 1966. lantic Monthly 230: 90, 1972. 21 Four Hutterite colonies Mailbox marks entrance of the White Rock colony, established near Rosholt in 1968. [Photo courtesy Wahpeton Daily News) REGISTERED HOLSTEINS � - New Elm Spring colony near Ethan was established in 1939. Rosedale colony near Mitchell was begun in 1945. Maxwell colony was established near Scotland in 194 7. 22 • , flt j • Landmarks of their times ID Above is the old mill constructed in 1875 at the Bon Homme colony. For some time the mill was powered by a water wheel supplied by an artesian well. The photo was taken in 1912. In contrast is the feed mill finished in 1978 by the Rosedale colony. The mill has a capacity of 150 tons of feed a day. It has 24 bins for feed components plus two bins for drying, and can produce feed supplements and formula feeds for all the colony's extensive livestock and poultry enterprises and custom work for neighboring farmers and other colonies. C�ara Stephens Shelton J 12 Library ,/ \