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2-1-1966 The uttH erites: South Dakota's Communal Farmers M. P. Riley

J. R. Stewart

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Recommended Citation Riley, M. P. and Stewart, J. R., "The uttH erites: South Dakota's Communal Farmers" (1966). Bulletins. Paper 531. http://openprairie.sdstate.edu/agexperimentsta_bulletins/531

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By Marvin P. Riley Associate Professor James R. Stewart Graduate Assistant Rural Sociology Department South Dakota State University 3 Table of Contents

Introd u ct ion ______------__ __ 5

Part I. The Hutteri te Brethren ------6 History ------6 South Dakota Colonies ------7 Hutterite Beliefs and Pri ncipies ------l l Centro I Beliefs ------l l Other Related Beliefs ------13

Part II. Agriculture on Communal Farms ------15 1964 Agr i culture and Popu I ati on ------18 Comparison of 1957 with 1964 Hutterite Census ------23

List: of Tables and Map Table l South Dakota Hutterite Colonies-1964 ------8

Table 2 Top Three Livestock Enterprises of South Dakota Hutterite Colonies Ranked on the Basis of Income, 1964 ______20

Table 3 Top Three Agricultural Enterprises of South Dakota Hutterite Colonies Ranked on the Basis of Crop Acreage, 1964 ____ 21

Map Location of South Dakota Hutterite Colonies, 1964 ______14

Reprinted November 1967, 2M

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: This bulletin is part of a larger study of South Dakota's communal farms, Rural Sociology Department, Project 255, South Dakota State University Experiment Station. INTRODUCTION

South Dakota is the home of a in existence. It is located a short small religious group known as the distance west of Yankton, S. D., Hutterite Brethren. Members of near the town of Tabor. The second this live in small cooperative reason for local interest in the Hut­ colonies in the northern United terites is that South Dakota has the States and in several provinces in largest number of colonies and Canada. The are unique population of any state in the Unit­ in that while using modern agricul- ed States ( Canada now has the larg­ tural technology, they have isolated er part of the Hutterite population themselves from the main current of with more than six times the num­ Western civilization. The boundary her in South Dakota). Modern maintenance of their social system transportation and communication has enabled them to retain many have made local citizens aware of characteristics of their culture de- and interested in knowing more veloped during the Protestant Ref- about the Hutterites, their beliefs ormation. The most distinctive fea- and their practices. The purpose of ture of the Hutterite way of life is a this publication is to provide relia­ pattern of communal living which ble up-to-date information on the is practiced in connection with their Hutterites of South Dakota and agricultural enterprises. their communal farms. South Dakotans have a special in- This publication is divided into terest in the Hutterites and their two major parts: the first part at­ communal farms for at least two tempts to answer such questions as reasons: First, from a historical who are the Hutterites, what they standpoint South Dakota was the believe, and where they are located location of the first settlements of in South Dakota. The second part Hutterites when they migrated from reports on the 1964 census of these Russia in 1874 to 1879. In fact, the communal farms and summarizes first colony established in North the sect's agricultural enterprises America, Old Homme, is still and changes in farm operations. 5 PART I

Tl-IE I-IUTTERITE BRETI-IREN

HISTORY1 Origin of Hutterites Jacob Hutter As a religious group the Hutter­ In 1533, Jacob Hutter, the Ana­ ites are not a new sect but a very old baptist preacher from whom the one. They originated in in sect derives its name, came from the 1528. An offshoot of the Swiss Tyrol to join the group in Moravia Brethren, they are one of the many and became their pastor. Through Anabaptist groups that arose direct­ the efforts of Hutter and his assist­ ly out of the Protestant Reforma­ ants a well-defined communal pat­ tion struggles of sixteenth century tern was established which has Europe. continued to the present. Hutter Founders of the Hutterian Broth­ was burned at the stake in 1536 for erhood subscribed to the Anabap­ his convictions. tist beliefs of adult baptism and Hutterites in Europe separation of church and state. Like The history of the Hutterites in the , they were Europe includes three periods: al­ strongly opposed to war. In addi­ most a century was spent in Morav­ tion, the Hutterites interpreted the ia; approximately a century and a literally, insisting half in Hungary, , and on the complete sharing of worldly ; and a little more than a possessions. It is this principle of century in Russia. communal living that distinguishes In Mora via the nobles considered them from the Anabaptist groups the Hutterites good tenants and such as the . Many of protected them from attacks by the these beliefs ran counter to those and Emperor as held by the established churches of long as possible. However, the pow- that day; and, as Europe was in an almost constant state of war, the 'The information on the history of the Hutter­ ite Bretheren was drawn largely from the two rulers were not tolerant of pacifists. following sources: ( 1) Horsch, John, The H11t­ Consequently, the Hutterites as well terite Brethren 1528-1931, Goshen College, as other Anabaptist groups were of­ Goshen, Indiana, 1931; (2) Smith, C. Henry, Smith's Story of the Mennonites, 3rd Revised ten the object of severe persecution. Edition, Mennonite Publication Office, 1950. 6 The Hutterites: South Dakota's Communal Farmers 7 er of the nobles was broken in 1620, and 1879. 2 After their arrival these and the Hutterites were forced to families divided about equally, one flee Moravia. For more than 150 group choosing to live in colonies, years they wandered through Hun­ while the remaining families chose gary and neighboring countries. Al­ to settle on private farms. though often close to extinction, a In 1874 the Hutterites established small group always managed to sur­ vive and carry on the . their first colony, Bon Homme, Finally, upon invitation of a Rus­ about 18 miles west of Yankton on sian Count named Romanzov, the the Missouri River. Because the surviving Hutterites moved to Rus­ leader of this colony was a black­ sia in 1770 to settle the Ukrainian smith by trade, these people and frontier. There they were given ref­ t h e i r descendants a r e called uge and allowed to practice paci­ Schmieden Leut ( the smith's peo­ fism under the religiously tolerant ple). regime of Catherine the Great. Later in 1874 another group of However, an edict nullifying their Hutterites led by a man named grant of exemption from military service was issued in 1871, and af­ Darius Walter arrived from Russia ter an appeal to the crown failed, and established Wolf Creek colony their policy demand­ about 12 miles west of Freeman. ed they emigrate. The descendants of this group are called Darius Leut ( Darius' peo­ ple). Old Elm Springs Colony was SOUTH DAKOTA COLONIES founded by a third group of Hutter­ Settlement in Dakota Territory ites in 1877. Led by two teachers, Practically all Hutterites, afraid this group settled northeast of Park­ ston. Descendants of this group are of renewed , Lehrer Leut between 1874 and 1879 left Russia referred to as ( teach­ where they had been living in three er's people) . Crimean villages. Approximately 2Eaton, Joseph W. and Albert J. Mayer, Man's 100 Hutterite families arrived in Capacity to Reproduce: A Demography of a Unique Population, The Free Press, Glencoe, Yankton from Russia between 1874 Illinois, 1954, p. 3.

All meals are eaten in the communal dining hall. This one at Tschetter Colony near Olivet was built around 1900. 8 South Dakota Experiment Station Bulletin 530 SOUTH DAKOTA HUTTERITE COLONIES (TABLE 1 ). Parent Nearby Place of Colony Colony Es tab. Town Relocation Relocation Sclimieden Leut Bon Homme Russia 1874 Tabor Never Tripp (Neudorf) 1 Bon Homme 1878 Tripp 1884 Milltown Milltown1 Tripp 1886 Milltown 1918/22 , Can. Maxwell (Old) Bon Homme 1900 Scotland 1919 Manitoba, Can. Rosedale (Old) Milltown 1901 Alexandria 1918 Manitoba, Can. Huron (Old) Bon Homme 1906 Huron 1918 Manitoba, Can. James Valley2 Milltown 1907 Huron 1918 Manitoba, Can. Rockport Bon Homme 1934 Alexandria Never New Elm Springs Manitoba, Can. 1936 Ethan Never Jamesville Manitoba, Can. 1937 Utica Never Tschetter Manitoba, Can. 1941 Olivet Never Spink Bon Homme 1942 Frankfort Never Huron Jamesvil1e 1944 Huron Never Rosedale Rockport 1945 Mitchell Never Maxwell New Elm Springs 1947 Scotland Never Gracevale Tschetter 1948 Winfred Never Glendale Manitoba, Can. 1949 Frankfort Never Millerdale Manitoba, Can. 1949 Miller Never Platte Bon Homme 1949 Academy Never Riverside Rockport 1949 Huron Never Pearl Creek Manitoba, Can. 1949 Iroquois Never Blumengard Manitoba, Can. 1950 Wecota Never Clark Jamesville 1955 Raymond Never Big Stone New Elm Springs 1958 Graceville, Minn. Never Plainview Spink 1959 Ipswich Never Hillside Huron 1961 Huron Never Clover Leaf Gracevale 1963 Carthage Never Spring Valley Platte 1963 Wessington Springs Never Wolf Creek Tschetter 1964 Menno Never Spring Creek Maxwell 1964 Forbes N. D. Never Thunderbird Glendale 1964 Norbeck Never White Rock (farm)Rosedale Not Est. Rosholt Never Long Lake (farm) Pearl Creek Not Est. Wetonka Never Darius Leut Wolf Creek3 Russia 1875 Menno 1930 , Can. Jamesville Wolf Creek 1886 Lesterville 1918 Alberta, Can. Tschetter Wolf Creek 1896 Menno 1918 Alberta, Can. Lake Byron4 Wolf Creek 1899 Huron 1918 Alberta, Can. Spink Wolf Creek 1905 Frankfort 1918 Alberta, Can. Richards Jamesville 1906 Forrestburg 1918 Alberta, Can. Yale (farm) Lake Byron 1913 Huron 1918 Alberta, Can. Lehrer Leut Old Elm Springs Russia 1877 Parkston 1918 Alberta, Can. Rockport Old Elm Springs 1890 Alexandria 1934 Alberta, Can. New Elm Springs Old Elm Springs 1900 Parkston 1918 Alberta, Can. Milford Old Elm Springs 1910 Carpenter 1918 Alberta, Can. lTripp colony was settled from Bon Homme colony in 1884. Tripp colony then moved to Tidoute, Pennsylvania, at the invitation of the Harmonists religious sect. They then came back and estab­ lished the Milltown colony in 1886. 2Toe James River Valley colony first settled near Gann Valley, South Dakota, and in 1912 moved to its site near Huron, South Dakota. 3Toe Old Wolf Creek colony first settled near Silver Lake and in 1875 moved to its site north of Menno. 4The Lake Byron colony, a branch of Old Wolf Creek, first settled in Manitoba, Canada, and in The Hutterites: South Dakota's Communal Farmers <;

Early Daughter Colonies The period from 1879 to 1913 was a time of increase in the number of colonies in South Dakota. By the process of branch colonization,3 the three mother colonies had es­ tablished a number of daughter col­ onies along the James River. By 1913, Bon Homme had estab­ lished three daughter colonies­ Milltown, Old Maxwell, and Old Huron (table 1). The Milltown colony had two daughter colonies The first Hutterite apartment building of her own - Old Rosedale and constructed in . Bon James Valley. Wolf Creek ( mother Homme Colony, Tabor. e:olony of the Darius Leut) had pro­ duced four daughters by this time­ secution, 12 colonies left for Can­ Old Jamesville, Old Tschetter, Old ada in 1918. Four more colonies had Spink and Lake Byron. Old James­ followed and by 1934 only Bon ville had a daughter colony of her Homme Colony remained. own-Richards. Branch colonies of Old Elm Present South Dakota Colonies Springs (Lehrer Leut) included Old In 1934 Bon Homme started Rockport, New Elm Springs, and Rockport colony near Alexandria Milford. Thus, in 1913, there were on the site of a vacated colony ( see 17 Hutterite colonies in South Da­ map). The 1935 South Dakota Leg­ kota: six were Schmieden Leut; islature passed the Communal Cor­ seven, Darius Leut; and four, Leh­ poration Act, an act which allowed rer Leut. the colonies to incorporate, and in Migration to Canada 1936 one colony returned to South Strong sentiment against the Dakota from Canada. Hutterites' German cultural back­ Contrary to a common concep- ground and their conscientious ob­ 3When the population of a colony reaches 100- jection to war along with proceed­ 150, the membership is divided approximately in half. One half remains at the colony site, the ings to annul their corporation other half ( the daughter colony) is assisted in charters created a difficult situation setting up a colony at a new location. The term for the sect in South Dakota during "granddaughter" colony is used to describe those colonies that have branched from a . As a result of this per- "daughter" of the mother colony.

1905 the whole colony returned to South Dakota and bought "Spink" and "Lake Byron" colony sites near Frankfort and Huron. They had a somewhat involved movement between South Dakota and during the period of 1912 to 1936. SOURCES: A. J. F. Ziegelschmidt, Das Kleine Gescliichtsbuch der Htttterischen Bruder, Carl Schurz Memorial Foundation, Philadelphia, 1947, pp. 460-62. Also, Norman Thomas, "The Hutterian Brethren," South Dakota Historical Collections, Vol. 25, 1951, pp. 273-274, and South Dakota State Council of Defense Report: 1917-1919, pp. 62-63. Additional detailed information supplied by present Hutterite leaders, 1964. Present Tschetter Colony returned from Canada in 1941 and settled on the site of Old Tschetter Colony on the James River west of Freeman. tion, only seven of the present South daughter of Tschetter, was estab­ Dakota colonies have come from lished near Winfred in 1948. Canada. The first one to come was Five colonies began in 1949: Bon New Elm Springs, a granddaughter Homme started the Platte colony of Bon Homme, which settled near near Academy; Rockport began Ethan. Another granddaughter, Riverside north of Huron; and three Jamesville, returned from Canada granddaughters of Bon Homme - in 1937 to its present site near Utica. Glendale, Millerdale, and Pearl Tschetter, founded in 1941, is a Creek, as mentioned previously - great granddaughter of Bon Hom­ came from Canada and settled near me which reoccupied an old colony Frankfort, Miller, and Iroquois, re­ site near Olivet when it came from spectively. Blumengard, a great Canada. Three other granddaugh­ granddaughter of Bon Homme ters - Millerdale, Glendale, and from Canada, settled north of We­ Pearl Creek-came from Canada in cota the following year. In 1955, 1949. Clark colony, a daughter of James­ Spink, a daughter colony of Bon ville, was established near Ray­ Homme, was established on an old mond. Big Stone colony, a daughter colony site near Frankfort in 1942. of New Elm Springs, was started During 1944 Jamesville established near Graceville, in 1958. a daughter colony, Huron, on an old During 1959 Spink founded a colony site near Huron. In 1945, daughter colony, Plainview, near Rosedale was established near Ipswich. Rockport colony from which it came. New Elm Springs founded a New Colonies Since 1960 daughter colony, Maxwell, near In 1961, Hillside was established Scotland in 1947 and Gracevale, a near its mother colony, Huron. The Hutterites: South Dakota's Communal Farmers 11 Spring Valley, a daughter of Platte do these people live as they do? To colony, and Clover Leaf, a daugh­ understand the Hutterian way of ter of Gracevale, were established life it is necessary to know what in 1963 near Wessington Springs they believe. and Carthage, respectively. Three colonies were established Central Beliefs in 1964: Tschetter started Wolf Dr. Lee Deets, in his study of Creek near Menno; Maxwell start­ Hutterite communities in the 1930's, ed Spring Creek in South Dakota found that all sanctioned activity near Forbes, N. D.; and Glendale within the community is ordered began Thunderbird colony near 4 Norbeck. At the present two colon­ around central beliefs. Any con­ ies are in the process of setting up sideration of their central beliefs daughter colonies-Rosedale has a would undoubtedly include the fol­ farm near Rosholt and Pearl Creek lowing: has purchased land near Wetonka. The Hutterian way of life is All of the present 24 South Dakota - sanctioned and God - com­ colonies belong to the Schmieden manded. Relation to the Deity is Leut group. governed by the that God is BELIEFS AND PRINCIPLES the Creator, the supreme all-power­ ful Being to whom all else should The Hutterites are readily dis­ give obedience. For them, the Hut­ tinguished from their rural neigh­ terian way of life is sanctioned by bors by their garb and mode of life. an infinitely wise Deity who must The married men have full be obeyed even to martyrdom. and wear black denim clothes. The Their beliefs are regarded as ex­ women wear dark, full skirts, long pressions of the will of God as re­ sleeved blouses and . vealed through a literal interpreta­ The colony has a machine shop, tion of the Scriptures.

communal dining hall and plain 4 church. All these attest to a people Lee E. Deets, The Hutterites: A Study in Social Cohesion, Times and News Publishing Co., Jiving an unusual life. Why Gettysburg, Pa., 1939, pp. 16-2 8.

Wolf Creek, one of the newest colonies, was established in 1964 on Old Wolf Creek Colony site north of Menno. 12 South Dakota Experiment Station Bulletin 530

View of colony yard of newly established Spring Creek Colony north of Leola.

The principle of communal liv­ not serve God according to the ing. The Hutterites believe in and dictates of our conscience if we practice communal living-holding were not permitted to live to­ their goods and property in com­ gether in our communities. Our mon. Basic to their principle qf members would, by the help of communal living is the concept of God, suffer what He may per­ Christian love. They believe that mit, rather than consent to the highest expression of the Chris­ 6 ti an ideal of brotherly love is possi­ leave the community life." ble only through the self-denial and The principle of nonre�:-;tance. that is involved in commu­ Their interpretation of nal living. The idea constituting the is that Christians are not to serve in principle of communal living is re­ war nor are they to take revenge. vealed in a statement from their pe­ The principle of nonresistance is tition to President Woodrow Wil­ not unique to the Hutterites as it is son in 1918: practiced by other religious "The fundamental principles such as the and the . of our faith, as concerns practi­ Biblical admonitions cited to sup­ cal life, are community of goods port the belief in nonresistance in­ and non-resistance. Our com­ clude Luke 2:8-20; Isaiah 2:1-4; munity life is founded on the Micah 4: 1-4; and Romans 12: 14-21. principle, 'What is mine is Avoidance and nonconformity. thine; or in other words on Hutterites desire, as is also true of brotherly love and humble such groups as the Amish, to remain Christian service, according to as far as possible from the influ­ Acts 2:44 and 45: 'And all that ences of the outside world. Worldly believed were together, and pleasures are to be avoided, the had all things in common; and plain, simple life preferred. Chris­ sold their possessions a n d tians, according to their belief, goods and parted them to all should not be conformed to the men, as every man had need.' "5 world ( Romans 12: 2). N oncon­ The importance the Hutterites formity is expected in those things attach to the principle of commu­ in which standards of the world nal living is indicated by another conflict with standards. Their statement from the same petition: occupation of farming and the loca- "Our community life is based 5/ bid., p. 21. on God's Word, and we could 6Loc. cit. The Hutterites: South Dakota's Communal Farmers 13 tion of their communities in rela­ tively isolated rural areas help to maintain their principles of avoid­ ance and nonconformity.

Other Related Beliefs The preceding enumerated be­ liefs of the Hutterians are not to be considered all-inclusive. Growing out of and in many ways supporting the central beliefs are many other doctrines which help cement their religious and s o c i a l structure. Among these a r e admonitions against pride, patterns of discipline, and restrictions on apparel and or­ Colony schoolhouses traditionally have namentation. These more specific been used as both school and church. Glendale Colony, Frankfort. teachings also have Scriptural basis and are just as binding as the cen­ tral beliefs. They help to translate Some newer colonies have a separate the central beliefs into rules for building for the church. Spring Valley practical living. Colony, Wessington Springs. 14 South Dakota Experiment Station Bulletin 530

LOCATION OF HUTTERITE COLONIES IN SOUTII DAKOTA, 1964

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A HUTTERITE COLONY � • • NEAR BY COMfllUNITY PART II

AGRICULTURE ON COMMUNAL FARMS

HUTTERITE PRINCIPLES APPLIED TO AGRICULTURE Three principles derived from the lo the Old Order Amish justify the Hutterites' religious beliefs serve as use of modern agricultural technol­ general rules for everyday life. A ogy by stating, "It's not the thing it­ review of these principles, as ex­ self that's good or bad, it's the use plained below, helps toward an un­ to which it is put." It also helps to derstanding of the farming and pro­ explain the extensive use of labor­ duction practices of the sect. and cost-saving devices in crop, First, Hutterites attach consider­ livestock and poultry production. able importance to the principle of Colony Organization "self-sufficiency." Each colony at­ Hutterites live in small agricul­ tempts to be as self-sufficient as tural villages, or colonies in the cen­ possible by producing most of the ter of their land holdings. Each col­ goods and services it uses. For the ony headquarters consists of a large Hutterites, the emphasis on self-suf­ cluster of buildings somewhat cen­ £ciency has always had more than trally located. Arrangement o f an economic motivation. It has the buildings follows a functional pat­ latent function of keeping down tern. Residences, communal dining contacts with the outside world. It hall, church, and school are in the also reflects the religious emphasis center. Partly surrounding this area on the principle of austere simplic­ are the shops for maintenance facil­ ity. Diversification of colony enter­ ities. A short distance beyond are prise is one result of application of the granaries and the barns and this principle. Another principle, sheds for livestock and poultry. "simplicity of living," further con­ Beyond these facilities are the pas­ tributes to self-sufficiency by limit­ tures and £elds. ing the needs and demands of the Hutterites primarily to what can be Work Organization produced in the colony. A third The nature of colony organization principle, "efficiency," encourages permits the Hutterites to engage in them to accept changes in farming many farming enterprises. The old­ practices. The Hutterites in contrast er, more responsible men of the col- 15 16 South Dakota Experiment Station Bulletin 530

Self-sufficiency enterprises include shoe Broom making has been an Important making and repairing. New Elm self-sufficiency enterprise in some colon­ Springs Colony. ies. New Elm Springs Colony, Ethan.

Laundry soap is still homemade in Hutterite colonies. New Elm Springs. The Hutterites: South Dakota's Communal Farmers 17

Garages and machinery repair shops are in all Hutterite colonies. Tschetter Colony.

Colony-trained blacksmiths do most of the repair work on farm machinery in the colony. Spink Colony, Frankfort. 18 South Dakota Experiment Station Bulletin 530 ony serve as department heads in <::red among the farmers who at­ charge of various farm enterprises tempt to keep up-to-date in their such as crops, cattle, and poultry. farming practices. Work is organized so each depart­ ment head is responsible to the col­ Farming Practices ony business manager. The colony Generally speaking, the Hutter­ labor supply is divided among the iles early in their settlement in various departments. Each depart­ South Dakota, recognized the need ment head may have working under for soil conservation and recondi­ him an assistant and one or more tioning. They presently use subsoil­ helpers, depending on the size of ers, disc plows and ground chisles the enterprise. This arrangement to conserve both soil and moisture. allows flexibility in the use of man­ Crop rotations have been practiced power. \Vhen the work require­ for many years. Although livestock ments of the departments change production provides manure for during the year, men can be shifted their land, the use of commercial to where the demand is greatest. fertilizers is increasing. Although election to the position However, even with their high of department head is usually an­ degree of mechanization, extensive nual, a capable man may be re­ crop rotation, and liberal use of fer­ elected time and again. After years tilizers, the Hutterites have felt of experience in an enterprise, often themselves caught in the situation first as an apprentice, obtaining in­ of declining prices and increasing formation from company salesmen, costs. They feel that their agricul­ county extension agents, and read­ tural production must be fed to ing articles in farm journals, most livestock and poultry before they department heads become "special­ can realize significant gains. This ists" in their field. conclusion, supported by their prin­ ciples of self-sufficiency, simplicity Agriculture Is Mechanized of living, and efficiency, encourages The Hutterites have mechanized them to specialize to some extent in their agriculture. As a colony, it is one or two or several of their basic possible to arrange their cropland enterprises. into large fields to make extensive use of power equipment. Thus, they 1964 AGRICULTURE can use track and diesel tractors to pull plows with as many as nine 14- AND POPULATION inch bottoms or three subsoilers Population, Acreage of Colonies hitched in tandem. A survey of all South Dakota col­ To improve and increase produc­ onies in late 1964 shows that 2,443 tion and efficiency, the Hutterites Hutterites were living in 24 colon­ are wil1ing to try new developments ies.7 These people comprised 341 in farm techniques and machinery. Although exceptions may be point­ 'These figures

Large diesel tractors are used to pull heavy equipment and increase efficiency. Hillside Colony, Huron. ,,

l, 20 South Dakota Experiment Station Bulletin 530

Hutterites can and preserve large quantities of fruits and vegetables raised in the colony gardens and orchards. New Elm Springs Colony.

duces quantities of nearly all types ever, separating milk is on the de­ of livestock and poultry. However, cline as more and more colonies are in recent years there has been a ten­ moving into bulk milk production. dency for a few colonies to develop In fact, information from the 1964 to a greater extent in one enterprise, survey indicates that most colonies such as turkey production. now have dairy parlors and sell bulk milk to creameries. Almost all col­ All colonies raised cattle, hogs, onies keep bees and the honey is and chickens in 1964. Each colony commonly used in place of sugar has a dairy herd and nearly all have and syrup. flocks of ducks and geese. Most also In livestock and poultry feeding, raise sheep and nine colonies pro­ duced turkeys for market. Table 2. Top Three Livestock Enter­ Part of this production is used for prises of South Dakota Hutterite Colo­ their own consumption, but most of nies Ranked on the Basis of Income, it is sold. Pork, poultry, mutton, and 1964. beef are used in their diet. Feathers No. Colonies Ranking Enterprise as: from ducks and geese are still used Enterprise 1st. 2nd. 3rd. Total for bedding. Feathers are now Cattle ______9 7 5 21 mainly used for "down" comforters Hogs ______8 9 5 22 rather than feather "ticks" as in the Sheep ______1 . 1 6 8 past. Milk from the dairy herds is Turkeys ______6 2 0 8 used for cooking, drinking, and Chickens ___ _ 0 3 3 6 making butter and cheese. How- Dairy ______0 2 5 7 The Hutterites: South Dakota 's Communal Farmers 21

Modern hog raising units make possible year around hog production. Spring Creek Colony.

the Hutterites use their own forage come. Nineteen colonies include and field crops whenever possible. both hogs and cattle in the top three Colonies that are more extensively livestock enterprises of their colony. engaged in hog or turkey produ�­ Seven colonies depended upon al] tion make feeds by grinding and three types of livestock ( hogs, cat­ mixing their own grains to which tle, and sheep) as principle sources they may add commercial supple­ of income. ments. In poultry production, turkey raising is increasing in importance Major Livestock Enterprises in some colonies. Eight of them As a part of the survey, each col­ count it among the three top income ony reported what it considered to enterprises. Chickens also provide a be its major crop and livestock en­ significant income for six colonies terprises for the year 1964 ( tables 2 from the commercial sale of eggs and 3). Livestock enterprises are and meat. Dairying is also becoming more important to the colonies than an important source of income for crop production as a source of in- most colonies.

Table 3. Top Three Agricultural Enter­ Major Crops prises of South Dakota Hutterite Colo­ Corn is the most important grain nies Ranked on the Basis of Crop Acre- for most Hutterite colonies. Eigh­ age, 1964. teen colonies list corn among their No. Colonies Ranking Enterprise as: top three grain enterprises. Sor­ Enterprise 1st. 2nd. 3rd. Total ghum, wheat and oats are also Corn ______11 4 3 18 Sorghum ___ _ 6 7 3 16 found in considerable quantity on Oats ______3 6 8 17 the majority of the colonies. Milo is Alfalfa ______1 0 5 6 increasing in importance as a feed Wheat ______3 6 1 10 crop, particularly among colonies in Barley ______0 1 3 4 the southeastern part of the State. Flax ______0 0 1 1 Although the colonies use most corn 22 South Dakota Experiment Station Bulletin 530

Turkey production is an important enterprise in many colonies. Rosedale Colony, Mitchell.

and small grain crops as feed for prises. There is considerable varia­ livestock and poultry, some consid­ tion among colonies which average er the sale of small grains, such as figures tend to hide. For example, wheat, as one of their principal although the average size of a col­ sources of income. ony was 5,100 acres in 1964, they It is not intended to give the im­ ranged in size from 2,200 to 7,295 pression that there is complete con­ acres, and the population varied formity to a standard pattern of ag­ from 75 to 159 persons. With respect ricultural enterprises and of pro­ to livestock and poultry enterprises, duction among the colonies. Al­ several colonies relied rather exten­ though the information presented sively on sheep, an important live­ here is generally applicable, each stock enterprise, while other colon­ colony is an independent unit and ies no longer raise sheep. A number distinctive in the arrangement and of colonies are engaged in large the importance of its major enter- scale production of both white and

Turkey range houses under construction at Clark Colony near Raymond. The Hutterites: South Dakota 's Communal Far'mers 23

Chicken production provides a significant part of the income for some colonies. Chicken house at Hillside Colony.

hronze turkeys while a few colonies and 1964 the number of Hutterite do not even consider the idea of colonies increased from 17 to 25. raising turkeys. The 1957 census showed that 1,870 Hutterites were living in South Da­ CENSUS COMPARISON: kota; however, the 1964 census indi­ 1957 AND 1964 cated that the population had in­ creased to 2,552 persons.8 In 1957 An earlier census of South Da­ there were 270 Hutterite families kota Hutterite colonies was taken in compared to 350 families in 1964. J 957. The similarity of the informa­ The average size of family has re- tion collected in 1957 to the 1964 8 At the date of the collection of these data there census provides a reliable basis for were two new branch colonies which were in comparing the population, land the process of being officially established. These colonies were not incluJed in the total number holdings, and the livestock and of colonies ; however, their acreage and popula­ grain enterprises of the two periods. tion was counted in with that of the mother colony. The figure of 25 colonies includes the Population, Acreage Changes Big Stone Colony, Graceville, Minn., which is a branch of the South Dakota New Elm Spring� During the years between 1957 Colony.

Bulk milk production is increasing in importance for many colonies. New Elm Springs Colony. 24 South Dakota Experiment Station Bulletin 530 creased to 14 families and 102 per­ sons. This decline in the average number of families and population is due to the "branching" process which has split a number of mother colonies. The total number of acres held by all of the colonies increased from approximately 79,000 acres in 1957 to slightly more than 126,000 acres in 1964. The percentage of this land used for crops has decreased from 57% in 1957 to 53% in 1964. The "av­ erage" colony in 1957 operated 4,­ Irrigation makes possible higher crop ,160 acres, but in 1964 this figurehad production for some colonies. Bon increased to 5,100 acres. This in­ Homme Colony. crease in average acreage is due in part to the newer colonies being es­ mained about the same-seven per­ tablished in the northern and cen­ sons. Data from the 1957 census tral part of South Dakota where show that the "average" Hutterite farms tend to be larger. Statistical colony had 16 families and a total averages indicate that in 1957 there population of llO people. In 1964 were 291 acres for each family of these comparative figures had de- Hutterites, or about 42 acres per

Corn is considered the most important crop enterprise by the colonies. Corn sheller in operation, Spink Colony. Some colonies consider turkey production as the most important enterprise. Turkey barn under construction at Tschetter Colony. person; however, in 1964 this had basis of comparison is available. changed to 354 acres for each fam­ The information obtained from the ily or about 50 acres for each per­ new colonies does have some value, son. however, because it can be used to Changes in Farm Operation measure the differences between In comparing changes that have the newly established and older taken place in production of live­ colonies. stock and crops, only the colonies Livestock Production that were interviewed in both the Livestock production has chang­ 1957 and the 1964 surveys were ed to a certain extent in most Hut­ used. Eight new colonies interview­ terite colonies. Production of beef ed in 1964 did not exist in 1957 so no cattle and hogs varies somewhat

Occasionally colonies use large heavy duty equipment in their farming operations. Four wheel drive tractor. Spink Colony. 26 South Dakota Experiment Station Bulletin 530

Kettle for heating water and making Sorghum or milo crops are fast becom­ soup, fi�ed by wood and coal, is tradi­ ing important in many colonies. tional among the colonies.

Business manager of a colony has his "office" in his apartment. Greater use is be­ ing made of modern office equipment. The Hutterites: 5_outh Dakota's Communal Farmers 27 from year to year, but has remained relatively constant throughout the period between 1957 and 1964. Sheep production is decreasing. With two exceptions, all colonies have decreased flocksor discontinu­ ed raising sheep entirely. Turkey production, which was once more widespread, has decreased slightly. Some colonies that started in turkey production several years ago have found the operation too demanding of time, skill and equipment. About a third of the colonies still raise tur­ keys but some of these not to the ex­ tent that they once did. Of the col­ onies that raise turkeys for market, seven have decreased flocks and only two colonies have increased production. Of the six main enterprises of livestock production, only two have Many Hutterite apartments are furnish­ increased to a large degree. The ed with a wash basin similar to the dairy herds of most Hutterite col­ one shown above. Colony apartments onies have become larger because have no kitchens. of the increased importance of bulk milk production. Commercial sale not changed very much over the of poultry products has also increas­ years. Production of barley, flax, ed in importance for most colonies. and rye has decreased since 1957. Three-fourths of them have in­ Most colonies have reduced consid­ creased the number of chickens in erably the number of acres set apart their flocks. for these crops and some colonies have even stopped raising them. Crop Production Production of sorghum, or milo, In comparing changes in crop has increased largely because expe­ production, the number of acres rience has shown it to be a good rather than the yield of a partciular substitute for corn in feeding live­ crop is used as a measure. Produc­ stock plus the fact that it yields bet­ tion of the three most important ter and is more drought resistant. crops of the Hutterites ( corn, oats, Findings of the two surveys show and wheat ) has not changed signifi­ that alfalfa production is also in­ cantly since 1957. Evidence indi­ creasing in most colonies. Almost cates that the relative importance twice as many colonies have in­ of these crops will vary slightly creased alfalfa acreage compared from one year to the next, but it has to those that have decreased it. 28 South Dakota Experiment Station Bulletin 530

Hutterite apartments are provided by the colony with simple, functional furniture. The Hutterites: South Dakota's Communal Farmers 29 Changes in Self-Sufficiency Practices A Hutterite living in one of the South Dakota colonies in the early 1900's is quoted as saying, "Our col­ ony is so self-sufficient that all we need to go to town for is needles and salt." Those days, along with the pioneer homesteaders, are gone. The trend for colonies to be more dependent on the outside world has heen underway for many years. The 1957 and 1964 surveys revealed some changes in self-sufficiency practices that have been occurring in the colonies in recent years. These changes can best be shown when the older colonies ( those es­ tablished before 1950), and the newer colonies are compared to the extent in which they still follow self Construction of a new dining hall ­ at Plainview Colony, Ipswich. sufficiency practices. Self-suffic­ iency practices of the Hutterites in­ daughter colonies that make them clude such things as spinning, less self-sufficient than their moth­ broom�making, shoe making and er colonies. First, the older colonies repairing, soap making, gardening are reluctant to change the estab­ and canning, clothes making, bee­ lished facilities already constructed keeping, and raising ducks and and developed. Second, the auton­ geese. omv of the individual colonies al­ Older colonies usually follow lo�s the new daughter colonies to many of the old self-sufficiency develop their facilities, within the practices but the newer colonies limits set by their , to suit have exhibited a tendency to dis­ their own needs and location. card some of the ways of their moth­ Third, the new colonies must start er colony. For example, the newer with limited facilities and they may colonies do not usually set up facili­ not choose to duplicate some of ties for broom-making. The older those available at their mother col­ colonies usually make shoes for ony. their men and boys while the new colonies may only repair shoes. The Other Major Changes newly established colony may buy As a part of the 1964 census more clothing, whereas the older schedule, a section was included for colony still makes such garments. each colony to report on any new There are at least three reasons colony facilities, farming methods for the changes which occur in and equipment that had been de- 30 South Dakota Experiment Station Bulletin 530 veloped within the last few years. cleaning. Because of the increasing Most colonies had made some importance of bulk milk produc­ changes in their buildings and facil­ tion, some colonies are modernizing ities. With reference to their living and improving dairy parlors t o quarters, seven colonies indicated gualify for State inspection. they had already piped water into The Hutterites extensively em­ their apartments or were planning ploy the use of new methods of to do so in the near future. Until the farming. Some of the colonies have establishment of Clark colony in recently introduced sugar corn as a 1955, few, if any, of the colonies had supplement to their regular crop running water in their apartments. production. The use of new fertiliz­ Three colonies were remodeling ers has also been adopted by a num­ communal dining halls, adding tile ber of colonies. One colony has re­ flooring, fluorescent lights and new cently introduced a new pump irri­ kitchen equipment. The trend in al­ gation system. most all South Dakota colonies is to Hutterite colonies are character­ improve the living and dining quar­ ized by the use of modem ters through remodeling and redec­ and efficient agricultural machin­ orating. ery. Most colonies report recent A number of colonies were re­ purchases of tractors and other ma­ modeling or constructing new farm chinery such as self-propelled com­ buildings. One colony has con­ bines, grain dryers, and hay balers. structed a new barn for its impor­ The most recent adoption by sev­ tant enterprise of raising geese. A eral colonies is the corn combine. number of other colonies are in the This is a machine adapted for process of building new hog barns combining corn by attaching a corn to make hog production a year cutter head to the standard small around operation. The new build­ grain combine. Thus the corn is ings have modern farrowing pens picked, husked and shelled in one and flush drainage equipment for operation.

Hutterite apartment unit constructed about 1900 at Tschetter Colony. Hutterite apartment houses at Glendale Colony, Frankfort.

New apartment units stand in marked contrast to older housing facilities. Some colonies have running water. Thunderbird Colony, Norbeck.

Interior of one of the newest Hutterite communal dining halls. Wolf Creek Colony.