Places Often Visited: Mennonite Colony
In 1923, the Mennonites emigrated from Canada to Mexico over issues of religious freedom. At the invitation of Mexico's president, the Mennonites relocated 60 miles west of Chihuahua. Today, the fields are verdant and fertile. The manicured farmland looks just like Iowa and employs the latest in farming techniques, agri-science, and machinery. The homes resemble any upscale residential setting in urban America.
Under the relocation agreement, the Mennonites were allowed to maintain dual citizenship (Canadian and Mexican). Their passports reflect this. The only stipulation is that before the age of 18 each child must spend one year in Canada. German is the language spoken here. Spanish is a second language. If you visit one of their one-room schoolhouses, it's almost like a scene from "Little House on the Prairie."All grade levels are taught in one room, with the girls on one side and the boys on the other. The Mennonites have a state-of-the-art cheese-processing plant that offers superb products, while their country markets offer homemade peanut brittle and other cottage goodies.