FARMING, AN ELITE ENDEAVOR?

There are three informative articles on Amish farmers and the economic pressures they face in the New Era. here, here, and here.

The collective revelation from these articles is the focus and the intensity the Amish are willing to bring to bear on being successful as farmers. I would compare it to an Olympic athlete, or a Rhodes Scholar, only it's executed by families that include young children. The most significant issue here, other than the way the children are involved, is that the effect of this will be to introduce classism among the Amish. Just like an Olympic athlete, only a few will be able to perform at the level required, and since farming is a revered endeavor, those few will garner a status untouchable by non-farming folk.

As for the involvement of young children, everything will be fine for the strong and well adjusted. But what happens when a half a million dollar investment is on the line? Is there room for anything other than flawless execution?