Page 48 - Spring2020

tion of fines, forced school closures or other nonite farming presence again. Joyce is now a
effects that slowly but surely would begin to WAPF chapter leader and delights in helping
undermine a culture with traditions that span others find the foods and principles that have
centuries. In short, there’s a whole lot more to benefited her in so many ways. Joyce would
understand—and a lot more at stake—than just like to thank “Amos Weaver” (whose name she
“vaccinate your kids.” changed to protect his community) for shar-
Which of the three options did Amos Weav- ing his perspective and experiences regarding
er’s community choose? Perhaps Mr. Weaver put education, vaccines, ethical concerns, natural
it best when he said they would “take it calm and healing and other relevant topics. His input was
steady, not get too excited.” As of mid-January crucial to the creation of this article.
2020, Mr. Weaver’s school is in session and
functioning normally. Mr. Weaver received REFERENCES
some forms from state officials to fill out regard- 1. “Vaccination requirements applicable to all
ing each student’s vaccination status. He filled students.” https://www.health.ny.gov/publica-
tions/2170/docs/vaccine_requirements_faq.pdf.
those out to the best of his ability. For students 2. “Amish schools in New York.” https://www.
who were not fully vaccinated, he reported them noodle.com/schools/ny_location/amish_religion.
as “in progress.” So far, he has heard nothing 3. Personal communication with “Amos Weaver,”
else from the state. He mentioned that a school 4. October 2019.
Dahlberg B. Repeal of religious exemption to vac-
further north is in a similar situation. In their cines hits hurdle in rural Finger Lakes. WSKG,
case, local authorities have mentioned fines, but Sep. 3, 2019. https://wskg.org/news/repeal-of-
the school has remained firm about its decision religious-exemption-to-vaccines-hits-hurdle-in-
not to require vaccinations. It seems that the 5. rural-finger-lakes/.
Wisconsin v. Yoder. https://www.britannica.com/
local authorities have backed off—for now. topic/Wisconsin-v-Yoder.
6. “Vaccine Issues.” Brotherhood Medical Advocate,
Joyce Campbell became a Weston A. Price Mennonite Church Conference, December 2012.
Foundation member in the year 2000. At the
time, she was a professor at a small rural
university in Pennsylvania, where she and her Gifts and bequests to the
husband enjoyed the presence of neighbor- Weston A. Price Foundation
ing Mennonite farms providing raw milk and will help ensure
nutrient-dense foods from rich Pennsylvania the gift of good health
soils. After moving to central New York State, to future generations.
they were happy to find a strong Amish and Men-

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48 Wise Traditions SPRING 2020