Many people think they can survive off-grid until they’re forced to live without power for a week. By day three, the food’s spoiling, the generator’s running on fumes, and tempers are boiling. But the Amish? They’ve been doing it for generations! No drama, no panic. As a prepper, that made me wonder: what do they know that I don’t… and would it keep me alive when SHTF?
For years, I devoured books and other ressources on off-grid living, but I kept feeling like something was missing. Recently, I stumbled on a video course teaching authentic Amish survival techniques – the stuff this community uses day to day to live without a GRID.
What caught my attention is that the teacher is a former Amish. Eddie Swartzentruber, was born and raised in one of the strictest Amish communities.
He says: ‘If a blackout or EMP hits, the Amish keep going while the world falls apart.’ That really hit home, especially since I’m more serious about preparing for a long-term blackout than anything else.. So I thought what the hell, let’s give it a shot – and signed up for The Amish Ways Academy.
Signing Up and First Impressions
The cost was fair, especially with the discount I managed to snag (from what I can see, it’s still available here, but I’m not really sure for how long, to be fair).
Within minutes, I had the video links and bonus eBooks in my inbox. One of them, a course summary, turned out to be perfect for following along with Eddie.
The others dive deep into Amish home remedies, the way they use medicinal plants, and other wisdon they’ve passed down for generations.
The core course is around three hours of HD video, breaking down over 45 Amish skills in bite-sized segments. Perfect for those who want to learnwithout overload.
It’s a kind of “just grab what fits your stockpile or homestead” kind of thing.
I spread the course over a week, diving in for about 25-30 minutes each evening after work. The short, focused segments made it easy to absorb each Amish skill or method without feeling rushed.
Some evenings I was too tired to even think about learning, but the short segments made it doable.
I’d watch, jot a few notes, and sometimes test a tip right away (like the egg preservation method involving salt) just to see if it really worked.
And it did.
What You Actually Learn
Right from the get-go, I really appreciated how practical and grounded Eddie’s approach is. His voice is a bit hard to understand at times, as he still has an Amish accent, but on the other hand there are subtitles through every segment plus the written bonus that follows the videos. So there isn’t a problem. As someone focused on prepping, I found the food and preservation sections especially valuable.
They go into detail on storing eggs without refrigeration, making shelf-stable meals from basic ingredients, and turning simple items into long-lasting staples. It’s the kind of knowledge that matters when TEOTWAWKI hits, even if it’s not glamorous.
The course covers basics like making butter, lard, and tallow, as well as recipes like Molasses Pie, Poor Man’s Steak, Friendship Bread, Head Cheese, and Scrapple. Eddie also demonstrates storage methods, from mini-root cellars to electricity-free fridges, and a device that pulls water from thin air.
Which I actually tried and it kind of reminded me of The Water Freedom System, except it’s not THAT efficient. It works but takes patience and doesn’t produce tons, so it’s better used as a backup.
Gardening, livestock, and natural remedies are handled with the same hands-on focus. You learn how to improve soil, maintain a year-round greenhouse, raise healthy chickens, and make medicinal preparations that don’t rely on stores or pharmacies.
The bartering section shows how to turn everyday skills and items into real survival value, like backyard smokehouses or durable cookware. It’s realistic guidance for anyone wanting more independence off-grid.
The parts that I liked the most were probably:
- The Amish Burger In A Jar – which they describe as portable, protein-packed, and long-lasting for bug-out bags.
- The Great Depression Broth – this is basically a whole very nutritious meal from scraps you’d normally throw out.
- 20+Electricity-Free Ways To Preserve Eggs – I mean this really stretches the lifespan of eggs far beyond the fridge.
- The Amish Device That Produces Water Out of Thin Air – handy for a minor drought or when taps run dry for a short while.
The Quiz and The Diploma: A Clever Touch
Wrapping up the course is a short quiz designed to lock in the lessons. You can retake it as many times as needed until you pass, which is perfect for reinforcing what you’ve learned without having to rewatch every single video.
I really appreciated this . Instead of just nodding along, you’re forced to think through how you’d actually apply the skills you’re learning for water purification, food storage, bartering or something else.
Let me tell you something: you kind of need to pay attention. I took the quiz a couple of times before I passed.
There was a small problem for me: you need to score 20 out of 20 to actually pass so they’re taking who they’re giving the diploma to seriously.
I messed up on preservation questions because I didn’t take enough notes. Lesson learned!
The great news is that you’ll get a diploma as soon as you finally make it (you can see mine below). Or maybe you’re just smarter and more focused than me and you get it right from the first time!
The Good
Here’s the best part: throughout his Amish Ways course, Eddie teaches you about stuff that you can actually use. Eddie doesn’t waste time at all on textbook survival tips. Everything is rooted in his real-life experience living with his Amish family. Here are other PROs:
- Bite-sized, hands-on demos – straight to actionable steps.
- Broad coverage – food, water, health, barter – all grid-independent.
- Video plus eBooks – watch, read, or reference on the go.
- Evergreen skills – no tech dependencies, built for collapse.
The Not-So-Good
I wished the course went a little deeper into Amish social dynamics. How do they handle community disputes, stay informed during a crisis, or make decisions as a group? That kind of insight could be a game-changer when you’re trying to build your own survival community or group.
Some topics could also use more depth. Three hours of video is packed with info, but some areas, like cold-climate greenhouse tips, aren’t covered in great detail. But the bonus eBooks and a bit of experimentation will bridge the gap for sure.
Another thing to keep in mind is resource sourcing. Eddie shows you how to do a lot with limited, local materials, but if you don’t live near farmland or forests, figuring out where to get the right supplies can take some extra hustle. Still, with all the practical tips and bonuses, I think it’s a solid investment…
Final Verdict
Most people find out the hard way that self-reliance isn’t optional. The Amish have known that for centuries and live accordingly.
The Amish Ways Academy will teach you useful skills but it also gives you a glimpse into a way of life that works when everything else stops. As far as I’ve experienced, this is the closest thing to stepping into the Amish world without leaving home.
I’ve tried a lot of resources, and this one felt genuine and practical. It’s not flawless, but its limits are far outweighed by its value.
One thing’s for sure: now I know I can store eggs for months without a fridge, make meals that last for years without electricity, and pull drinking water out of the air around.
And That’s a level of independence I didn’t have before.
If you’re curious about real Amish methods and skills, it’s worth checking out.. Here is the link where I joined the academy in case you want to see for yourself The Amish Ways Academy.
Look, I have a confession to make. Right after I went through the Academy, I decided to dive deeper into Eddie’s work and even ordered The Amish Ways Book, which is also written by him. Phenomenal book, for real! Great insight, and some of the information inside wasn’t covered in the Academy. I don’t regret for a second getting both, because they complement each other nicely.
You may also like:
This Portable Water Survival System Will Save Your Life (Video)
This is Why the Amish Bury Their Food
I didn’t see if the course was available in hard copy. Emails and video isn’t much good if you don’t have the means to view them.