Is Amish Furniture Green?

Defining Sustainable and Responsible Industry Practices

While "going green" often indicates a change of behavior or lifestyle patterns, the Amish culture has been eco-friendly since it's inception. Conserving resources and managing the environment responsibly is part of the beauty of simple living for this community. It is only reasonable to expect, therefore, that these sustainable tendencies extend to the handcrafting of fine furniture.

Responsibly Harvested Hardwood

Countryside sources only new growth forests for our solid wood furniture. This means that virgin forests are not destroyed or damaged and trees of significant size and age are protected. Further, sourcing only managed lands ensures enough old growth range exists to sustain wildlife, wilderness areas, and hiking trails. The irony of these efforts is that by managing the trees properly, limbs can be removed as the hardwoods grow which actually produces a higher quality wood for furniture making purposes. Extricated trees are then replaced after the soil has rested and is ready to produce another tree. Constantly observing the life cycles of these plants ensures not only their viability, but also that erosion, fire, and damaging insects can be averted. 

Amish Furniture Factories

Placing the terms "Amish" and "factory" in the same sentence is beyond incongruent. Though each Bishop has discretion relative to technology, the Amish typically avoid any and all 21st century innovation. Thus, the carbon footprint left by our workshop is quite insignificant. Artisans at Countryside are only assisted by the occasional diesel powered hand tool. Literally every part of the production of our furniture is conducted by hand and under the watchful eye of an experienced foreman. Though one craftsman may turn legs and another cut seats and a third hand rub stain, these pieces are made from hand selected wood that is chosen specifically for the chair, table, or other furniture being made. It will be hand assembled, approved by the foreman, and prepared for shipping.

Organic Stain and Varnish

Not all our stains, paints, finishes, and varnishes are organic, but they are "green". This simply means that every finish we use meets federal standards for Volatile Organic Compounds and Hazardous Air Pollutants. Details about our catalyzed conversion varnish top coat can be found here. Organic finishes are available on many of our items. No matter which finish you choose, your furniture from Countryside will not harm your home environment or the planet.

Heirloom Worthy

Our solid wood furniture is made-to-order so that you can design exactly the piece of furniture you envision for your home. Leaving a legacy of holiday dinners around a handmade dining set is our vision for your family when you have that dining table handcrafted by Countryside. Creating furnishings of this caliber also requires that they be built to last. Time tested furniture building techniques are used in our workshop to ensure your furniture will last many lifetimes. In order to produce quality at this level, we must protect our environment and our business by creating a sustainable path for continued operations. Unlike particle board furniture from box stores, Amish furniture from Countryside is not likely to see a landfill.

Amish communities are "green" by every conceivable definition. Countryside Amish Furniture is green in every decision. We want to be your source for superior, authentic Amish furniture for generations. We have, therefore, made sure that even every product in our cleaning kit is 100% eco-friendly. After all, we use them in the design center and at home, too.

Bailiegh Basham is Lead Sales & Marketing Strategist at Countryside Amish Furniture. She's been a team member since 2014. Bailiegh is deeply passionate about furniture design and home decor.