# Amish America

> Exploring Amish Culture and Communities

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## Posts

- [2026 Amish Mud Sale Schedule (Lancaster County & More)](https://amishamerica.com/lancaster-county-amish-mud-sales/): The Ultimate Mud Sale Guide | Jump to full 2026 Mud Sale Schedule OR scroll down 2026 Mud Sale Guide (22 Sales) When are the mud sales in Lancaster County? The Lancaster County mud sale schedule for 2026 is now available, with the traditional first event happening soon (February 27 & 28 at Strasburg Fire
- [Amish Crews Are Heading South To Rebuild Helene-Damaged Homes For 5 Months — And They Need Drivers](https://amishamerica.com/amish-volunteer-builders-need-drivers-helene-rebuild-spartanburg-south-carolina/): We've heard a lot about Amish disaster relief in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene, which, time flies, happened over two years ago now (September 2024). Amish crews from the Midwest and Pennsylvania have given their time and effort to help rebuild in NC mountain towns like Chimney Rock and Bat Cave. As one female Amish
- [An “Amish Cabela’s,” Yoder’s Sausage Kitchen, & A Long-Debated Amish Community Center: What’s New In Jamesport, Missouri](https://amishamerica.com/jamesport-missouri-amish-whats-new-community-center-sausage-kitchen/): Don Burke is back with a look at an old favorite - Jamesport, Missouri - and what's new in the community since his last visit. The Jamesport area is home to one of the state's larger and best-known Amish settlements. Helping him out again is Laura Graber, who grew up Amish in the community, and
- [Amish Woman Used A Weed Whacker To Scare Off Man With Knife & Handcuffs In Attempted Kidnapping](https://amishamerica.com/amish-woman-used-weed-whacker-scare-off-man-knife-handcuffs-charged-kidnapping/): We now know more about what the person who (allegedly) attempted to kidnap a 23-year-old Amish woman Wednesday did. Learning the details, this had to be a very frightening experience. And the woman's response may have saved her a lot of trauma and pain, and even her life. It turns out she used a weed
- [Amish Woman Targeted In Attempted Abduction In Lancaster County — Police Seek Gray Pickup](https://amishamerica.com/amish-woman-attempted-abduction-atglen-pa-police-seek-gray-silverado-pickup/): A truly disturbing incident happened yesterday in the Lancaster County Amish community, and police are asking for the public's help. An Amish woman was targeted in an attempted abduction on Wednesday, October 14, along Creek Road southwest of Atglen, Pennsylvania, in Sadsbury Township in Lancaster County. Police are now asking for help finding a gray
- [This Amish Home In Canada Has A Satellite Dish & Light Switches — But No Bathroom (24 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-ontario-amish-home-with-satellite-dish-light-switches-but-no-bathroom-24-photos/): For this latest Amish home we look north of the border - at just the second Canadian Amish home we've seen here. The first was a very plain home in the Lucknow, Ontario community back in 2022. This one is in Centre Hastings, about five minutes from the village of Stirling in eastern Ontario. The
- [Amish in Maryland Are Getting $16,000 Tax Bills — When They Owe $400](https://amishamerica.com/amish-maryland-getting-16000-dollar-tax-bills-when-they-owe-400/): Plain People in Maryland are getting stopped in their tracks by a tech roadblock when trying to pay their taxes. And it's causing them some real headaches - and expense. Amish and Mennonite families in St. Mary's County, Maryland are receiving estimated state tax bills as high as $16,000 when they owe around $400 —
- [The Amish "Black Box" Phone: The Device They Built to Keep Big Tech Out](https://amishamerica.com/amish-black-box-phone/): Looking at its name alone, the Amish Black Box Phone has an air of secrecy or mystery to it. Is it some sort of clandestine Amish spy-ops device? A tool meant for conveying bad news? Of course, many of us will connect "black box" with the recording devices used to record communication in plane crashes,
- [One Amish Woman Still In Intensive Care, Another Lost Her Baby After Deadly Buggy Crash — Now Neighbors Want Changes](https://amishamerica.com/amish-woman-icu-pregnant-woman-lost-baby-buggy-crash-neighbors-want-changes-canton-ny/): A month after a pickup truck struck an Amish buggy outside Canton, New York, killing a grandmother and her young grandson, one woman from the buggy is still in intensive care, and tragically, there has been a third fatal victim - a pregnant woman has lost her baby. The information on these women comes from
- [New From Ben & Rose: “Will You Travel Down This Road With Me?”](https://amishamerica.com/ben-and-rose-will-you-travel-down-this-road-with-me/): Ben & Rose have their latest new song out, a cover of "Will You Travel Down This Road With Me?" We've been getting a nice steady stream of about one new song per month. At this pace they are basically putting out a new album's worth every year (which makes me wonder if another is
- [7-Month-Old Amish Girl Dies After Pony Kick During Wagon Ride (Minnesota)](https://amishamerica.com/7-month-old-amish-girl-dies-pony-kick-wagon-ride-harmony-minnesota/): Just a tragic and sad story. A 7-month-old Amish girl has died after a pony kicked her in the head during a wagon ride at a home near Harmony, Minnesota. A relative of the girl reached out to let me know about it. The girl is not identified as Amish in the report, but based
- [The 7 States With Just A Single Amish Community (2026)](https://amishamerica.com/states-with-just-one-amish-community/): States like Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wisconsin are part of the "Amish heartland" - each home to dozens of Amish communities, and tens of thousands of Amish people. But seven U.S. states host exactly one Amish settlement each, according to 2026 figures from the Young Center. While some are well-established, others are relatively new, reflecting a
- [Amish Woman, 22, Killed In Afternoon Buggy Wreck; Police Say Driver Was Asleep At The Wheel (Michigan)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-woman-22-killed-driver-asleep-at-wheel-sanilac-county-michigan/): Days after a wreck left two Amish women in critical condition in southern Michigan, another Amish woman is the victim in a buggy crash in the state. But this time it was a deadly incident. A 22-year-old Amish woman was killed Thursday afternoon after a vehicle struck her horse-drawn buggy in Sanilac County. Michigan State
- [Amish Boy May Have To Testify Twice In Ohio Home Invasion Case — After Defendant Fires His Lawyer](https://amishamerica.com/amish-boy-may-testify-twice-ohio-home-invasion-case-defendant-fires-lawyer/): It's been nearly one year since an Amish family's home and cabinet business in Geauga County, Ohio was invaded and robbed. In it, an Amish man was brutally assaulted, and the perpetrators attempted to kidnap his young son. In a new report following a court hearing yesterday we learn that the taxi driver accused of
- [Amish Mothers Are "Not Against The Vaccine," Says Midwife Seeking To Give Them Measles Shots](https://amishamerica.com/amish-mothers-not-against-vaccine-says-lancaster-county-midwife/): Roberta Devers, a midwife of 38 years who serves many Amish mothers in Lancaster County, wants Pennsylvania to let midwives give the measles vaccine. But that's something state law does not currently allow. Devers made the request in an interview with 6abc Action News published yesterday. On Monday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced the
- [A Lancaster County Fire Hall Served Over 1,000 Amish Wedding Dinners In One Day](https://amishamerica.com/intercourse-fire-company-amish-wedding-dinner-served-over-1000/): A Lancaster County, Pennsylvania fire station served over 1,000 Amish wedding dinners on Saturday. It was the 16th year the Intercourse Fire Company has held the fundraiser, which ran from noon until the food sold out. This was another in the long tradition of volunteer fire companies in the area, many of which have heavy
- [This Mississippi Amish Farm Has 86 Acres, A Pond & Three Family Businesses (32 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/mississippi-amish-farm-86-acres-pond-three-family-businesses-32-photos/): This is our third look this year at an Amish property in the Randolph community of Pontotoc County, Mississippi. Back in April we toured a 54-acre homestead with a furniture shop, and in June we looked at another home on 45 acres. At that time, I asked whether the community might be disbanding, seeing so
- [2 Amish Women Airlifted In Critical Condition After SUV Rear-Ends Their Buggy (Michigan)](https://amishamerica.com/2-amish-women-airlifted-suv-rear-ends-buggy-hillsdale-county-michigan/): Sadly, southern Michigan has seen another bad buggy accident. Two Amish women from Montgomery, Michigan, ages 50 and 19, were airlifted from the scene after an SUV rear-ended their buggy Monday morning in Hillsdale County. Both are in critical condition. From WILX: The crash happened around 9:15 a.m. on Territorial Road near Mead Road in
- [Fire & Explosion Destroy Popular Michigan Amish Creamery](https://amishamerica.com/fire-and-explosion-destroy-popular-michigan-amish-creamery/): Another popular Amish business has been lost to fire. A blaze and subsequent explosion on Saturday, October 3 destroyed The Farmers' Creamery in Mio, Michigan, an Amish-owned creamery and store whose dairy products are sold in grocery stores across the state. The building is a total loss, but thankfully no major injuries were reported. Here's
- [Amish Breeder Who Killed 4 Unsold Puppies Gets 7 Years Probation, No Jail Time](https://amishamerica.com/amish-breeder-killed-4-unsold-puppies-sentenced-7-years-probation-lancaster-county/): A Lancaster County Amish dog breeder who killed four unsold Sheepadoodle puppies in 2023 has been sentenced to seven years of probation, and no jail time. John S. Stoltzfus Jr., 48, of New Holland, pleaded guilty on September 24 to four felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and four misdemeanor counts of cruelty to
- [20 Years After The Nickel Mines Amish School Shooting, A Girl's Parents Still Forgive "Again And Again"](https://amishamerica.com/20-years-have-passed-nickel-mines-amish-school-shootings/): It's hard to believe it's been 20 years since the events of October 2, 2006, when a mentally disturbed milk truck driver entered the West Nickel Mines school in Lancaster County and took five Amish girls' lives. I happened to be on vacation at the time, and still remember how I learned about what happened
- [4-Year-Old Amish Boy Was Crossing The Road To A Nearby Farm When A Tractor-Trailer Struck & Killed Him](https://amishamerica.com/4-year-old-amish-boy-crossing-road-killed-tractor-trailer-chester-county-pennsylvania/): Yet another tragic accident out of the Lancaster County community. This one happened a week ago, with new details emerging recently. A four-year-old Amish boy was killed by a tractor-trailer in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania last month. The child was walking to a farm across the road to help with farm work, according to state
- [An Amish Caravan Is On A 30-Mile Journey From Lancaster County To A Historic Homestead](https://amishamerica.com/amish-caravan-30-mile-journey-lancaster-county-to-historic-homestead/): A few dozen Amish people set out by horse and wagon from a Leacock Township farm in Lancaster County on Thursday, on a commemorative journey. They're headed about 30 miles north to the Nicholas Stoltzfus Homestead in Wyomissing, Berks County – a two-day trip with an overnight campout along the way. LNP | LancasterOnline reported
- [Report: Amish Acres Owner Has Used 15 Aliases; Has "Laundry List" Of Prior Charges & Convictions](https://amishamerica.com/report-says-amish-acres-owner-15-aliases-prior-charges-convictions-nappanee-indiana/): We’ve been following the story of Amish Acres, in Nappanee, Indiana, and its repeatedly delayed full re-opening, for some time now. The latest stage saw the property being purchased by a man named Brad Juneau, who took it over in October 2025, pledging to return it to something like its previous form. But a full
- [6 Amish Habits That Cut $400 a Month From Your Bills](https://amishamerica.com/6-amish-habits-that-cut-400-a-month-from-your-bills/): If you're like me, household bills have a way of creeping up on you. A few dollars here, a subscription there...and a year later your monthly tab has ballooned - without any big obvious things having changed. I'm always careful not to recommend "just copy what the Amish do." There are plenty of problems with
- [Amish Teen, 16, Killed When Spooked Horse Flips Hay Wagon On Michigan Farm](https://amishamerica.com/amish-teen-age-16-killed-spooked-horse-flips-hay-wagon-michigan-farm/): A 16-year-old Amish boy has died after a farm accident in Sanilac County, Michigan. He was baling hay Monday when one of his horses spooked and the wagon flipped over on top of him. The Michigan State Police 3rd District news release explains what happened: Caro Post troopers are investigating a tragic farming accident that
- [Amish Teacher, 29, Killed In Buggy Crash While Riding With Two Of Her Students (Illinois)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-teacher-29-killed-buggy-crash-two-students-airlifted-illinois/): Another tragic crash, this time out of Illinois. A 29-year-old Amish schoolteacher was killed Tuesday morning in a buggy crash in Wayne County, Illinois. Two of her students were riding with her. They were flown to a hospital with serious injuries. The crash was reported at around 7:09 a.m. on County Highway 16, west of
- [Brother & Sister Lost Their Lives In Van Crash Involving Buggies Carrying 9 Amish Children (New York)](https://amishamerica.com/brother-sister-lost-lives-van-crash-9-amish-children-new-york/): State Police have identified the two children killed in last Friday's buggy crash in Oswego County, New York. It turns out that they are brother and sister. Anna J. Hershberger, 13, and Moses J. Hershberger, 7, were pronounced dead at the scene. There is a bit of good news in the new reports: a 9-year-old
- [7 Ways Amish Families Cut $350 a Month Off the Grocery Bill](https://amishamerica.com/7-ways-amish-families-keep-grocery-bills-low-even-with-8-kids/): Grocery prices are on a lot of people's minds lately, and for good reason. The USDA's moderate-cost food plan has a family of four at around $1,385 a month as of this writing. Scale that up to a household of ten mouths to feed, and you're well past $2,500. Why do I say ten? Well,
- [Police: Man Targeted Lancaster County Amish In $82,000 Tool Theft Spree](https://amishamerica.com/police-say-man-targeted-lancaster-county-amish-82000-dollar-tool-theft-spree/): Pennsylvania State Police are searching for a man they say stole more than $82,000 worth of power tools from construction sites across Lancaster County — and many of the victims were Amish. Here's more from CBS21: LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — Police are looking for a man who reportedly stole over $80K in tools from
- [Iowa Is America's #9 Amish State — Here Are Its 10 Biggest Communities](https://amishamerica.com/largest-amish-communities-iowa/): Iowa is home to America's ninth-largest Amish population, spread across nearly 30 settlements. The oldest dates to 1846; the newest on this list, to 2011. The following communities are the largest in Iowa, based on the most current Amish population estimates (2026). Population numbers via Young Center for Anabaptist & Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College
- [Kentucky Is America's #8 Amish State — Here Are Its 10 Biggest Communities](https://amishamerica.com/largest-amish-communities-kentucky/): Kentucky is home to America's eighth-largest Amish population. Over 17,000 Amish live in more than 50 settlements across the state. These ten communities are the largest in Kentucky, based on the most current Amish population estimates (2026). Population numbers via Young Center for Anabaptist & Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College (source link at bottom). 1.
- [Missouri Is America's #7 Amish State — These Are Its 10 Biggest Communities](https://amishamerica.com/largest-amish-communities-missouri/): Missouri is home to America's seventh-largest Amish population. Over 19,000 Amish live in more than 60 settlements across the state. These ten communities are the largest in Missouri, based on the most current Amish population estimates (2026). Population numbers via Young Center for Anabaptist & Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College (source link at bottom). 1.
- [Michigan Is America's #6 Amish State — Here Are Its 10 Biggest Communities](https://amishamerica.com/largest-amish-communities-michigan/): Michigan is home to America's sixth-largest Amish population. Over 21,000 Amish live in more than 50 settlements across the state. These ten communities are the largest in Michigan, based on the most current Amish population estimates (2026). Population numbers via Young Center for Anabaptist & Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College (source link at bottom). 1.
- [New York Is America's #5 Amish State — Here Are Its 10 Biggest Communities](https://amishamerica.com/largest-amish-communities-new-york/): New York is home to America's fifth-largest Amish population. Over 26,000 Amish live in dozens of locations across the state. These ten communities are the largest in New York, based on the most current Amish population estimates (2026). Population numbers via Young Center for Anabaptist & Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College (source link at bottom).
- [Wisconsin Is America's #4 Amish State — Here Are Its 10 Largest Communities](https://amishamerica.com/largest-amish-communities-wisconsin/): Wisconsin is home to America's fourth-largest Amish population, with over 28,000 Amish living across the state. These ten communities rank as the biggest in Wisconsin, based on the most current Amish population estimates (2026). While Wisconsin does not have many very large Amish communities, the state makes up for it in number - having the
- [Indiana Has Over 68,000 Amish — Here Are the 10 Biggest Communities](https://amishamerica.com/largest-amish-communities-indiana/): Indiana is where you'll find America's third-largest Amish population, with over 68,000 Amish living across the state. These ten communities rank as the biggest in the Hoosier State, based on the most current population estimates (2026). Population numbers via Young Center for Anabaptist & Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College (source link at bottom). 1. Elkhart-LaGrange
- [Ohio Has Over 87,000 Amish — These Are the State's 10 Biggest Communities](https://amishamerica.com/largest-amish-communities-ohio/): Ohio is home to America's second-largest Amish population, with over 87,000 Amish living across the state. These ten communities rank as the biggest in Ohio, based on the most current Amish population estimates (2026). Population numbers via Young Center for Anabaptist & Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College (source link at bottom). 1. Holmes County Area
- [Pennsylvania's 10 Biggest Amish Communities](https://amishamerica.com/largest-amish-communities-pennsylvania/): Pennsylvania is home to the nation’s largest Amish population. These ten communities rank as the biggest in the state, based on the most current population estimates. Pennsylvania has the largest of all Amish settlements - found in well-known Lancaster County. But the Amish live in many more locations across the state. Here's a look at
- [Illinois Is America’s #10 Amish State — Here Are Its 10 Biggest Communities](https://amishamerica.com/largest-amish-communities-illinois/): Illinois is home to America's tenth-largest Amish population. Over 9,000 Amish live in around 20 settlements across the state, though more than six in ten of them live in just one community. These ten communities are the largest in Illinois, based on the most current Amish population estimates. Population numbers via Young Center for Anabaptist
- [This Pennsylvania Amish Home Has Floors So Glossy They Shimmer (20 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-home-glossy-floors-punxsutawney-pennsylvania-20-photos/): This week's Amish home is located in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. It's our second look at a home in this area this year, after this eight-bedroom, one-bathroom home back in February. This one is a bit smaller, but not by much. It has six bedrooms and (once again) just one bathroom. It's a good size and has what
- [Two Amish Children, Ages 7 & 13, Killed After Van Strikes Two Buggies (New York)](https://amishamerica.com/two-amish-children-ages-7-13-killed-after-van-strikes-two-buggies-new-york/): More awful news out of New York. Another buggy crash in the state claimed two more lives today - this time two young children, ages 7 and 13. A van struck two buggies this morning (Friday September 25) in Richland in Oswego County, New York. The state has been seeing a lot of this lately.
- [Sheriff Asks Public's Help To Find Runaway Amish Horse — May Be "Hung Up With Its Harness"](https://amishamerica.com/sheriff-asks-public-help-find-runaway-amish-horse-grant-county-wisconsin/): The Grant County, Wisconsin Sheriff's Office is asking the public to watch out for a runaway Amish horse. The horse got loose with its harness still on, and may be stuck somewhere on private property. From WFRV: According to a social media post, a brown Amish horse with its harness on got loose on Wednesday,
- [Amish Population 2026: The Top 10 States](https://amishamerica.com/amish-population-top-10-states/): The Amish population continues growing at a high rate, with over 410,000 Amish people living in America in over 700 communities. The Amish are currently found in 33 states. But which states have the largest Amish populations? Scroll on for the latest list, with figures by the Young Center for Anabaptist & Pietist Studies (Elizabethtown
- [New From Mike & Marty: "Far Side Banks of Jordan"](https://amishamerica.com/mike-and-marty-far-side-banks-of-jordan/): "Far Side Banks of Jordan" is a gospel song many may know from funeral or memorial services. Mike and Marty have now released their own version of it. And I can say this is one of my new favorites by the brother and sister duo. Why is that? Well, the singing on this one is
- [Amish Grandma & Visiting Grandson Were The 2 Killed In New York Buggy Crash; Fundraiser Launched For Family](https://amishamerica.com/amish-grandma-grandson-killed-buggy-crash-canton-ny-fundraiser/): New details have been released on a deadly September 13 buggy crash in St. Lawrence County, New York. The two people killed when a pickup truck struck the buggy outside Canton, New York were a young boy visiting from Michigan and his grandmother. The crash had many victims, and I wondered at the time if
- ["Old Fashion Days" Draws Big Amish Crowd In Rentown, Indiana (16 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/old-fashion-days-big-amish-crowd-rentown-indiana-16-photos/): Jim Halverson is back with another set of photos taking you inside a fun Amish event. These are from the recent Rentown Old Fashion Days in northern Indiana. The event brings together Amish families and others for a day of antique machinery demonstrations, food, vendors, and other old-fashioned activities. Rentown is a small Amish area
- [Lovina Eicher: Dating In My Amish Community "Not Like" How Lovina Zook Describes It](https://amishamerica.com/lovina-eicher-lovina-zook-different-amish-dating-customs/): There are currently two quite well-known Lovinas of an Amish background. Lovina Zook grew up Swartzentruber Amish before leaving the community several years ago. She has since become a social media star for her videos sharing Amish-style cooking recipes (and I'd say for her on-screen persona maybe just as much). We had a look at
- [Amish Family Of 7 Out Of The Hospital After Crash — They Came Home With 3 Wheelchairs](https://amishamerica.com/amish-family-of-7-out-of-hospital-after-crash-three-wheelchairs-oklahoma/): Some good news out of the Clarita, Oklahoma Amish community. All seven members of an Amish family - the Schrocks - injured in a September 6 buggy crash have been released from the hospital. Clarita Volunteer Fire Department Chief Frank Williams told the Ada News that the last hospitalized child returned home Thursday, September 17
- [Amish May Sue Minnesota County Over $50 Paper Filing Fee. Lawyers Say One Has Already Been Jailed](https://amishamerica.com/amish-may-sue-minnesota-county-over-50-dollar-fee-lawyers-claim-arrest-warrants-jailing/): Two Amish communities in Mille Lacs County, Minnesota say the county's building permit rules discriminate against their religious beliefs — and they're threatening to sue if it isn't fixed. The complaint centers on one thing: the county moved its building permit system online. Old Order Amish generally don't use computers, for religious reasons. But there
- [Driver Flees After Hitting Amish Buggy & Injuring 4 Children (Wisconsin)](https://amishamerica.com/driver-flees-after-hitting-amish-buggy-injuring-4-children-wisconsin/): Four Amish children were injured Thursday afternoon when a motor vehicle attempting to pass their buggy hit it as it turned. The driver then decided to keep driving, leaving the scene. However, he or she was later arrested. The crash occurred in the Town of Buffalo in Marquette County, Wisconsin. From the Marquette County Sheriff's
- [3-Year-Old Run Over By Forklift In Lancaster County — A Day After Teen Died In Wagon Fall](https://amishamerica.com/3-year-old-run-over-forklift-day-after-teen-wagon-fall-lancaster-county/): A three-year-old boy died Tuesday after being run over by a forklift at the Lancaster County farm where he lived – one day after a 16-year-old was killed in a fall from a horse-drawn wagon in the same township (Leacock). From LNP | LancasterOnline: A 3-year-old boy died Tuesday morning when he was run over
- [Scenes From A Firehouse Fish Fry That Drew Hundreds Of Amish (14 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-fish-fry-fire-station-benefit-topeka-indiana-14-photos/): Jim Halverson checks back in with some scenes from an Amish fish fry that took place last weekend in Topeka, Indiana. I'm calling it an "Amish" fish fry here - for reasons that should be apparent - but officially, it was the Topeka Fire Department Fish Fry & Bake Sale. This is a heavily-Amish area,
- [Amish Retreat Leader Sam Shetler Denied Bond Again — Judge Cites "Danger To Witnesses"](https://amishamerica.com/sam-shetler-amish-retreat-leader-denied-bond-again-judge-cites-danger-to-witnesses/): Amish retreat leader Sam Shetler has again been denied bond — with the judge citing the potential danger to witnesses and alleged victims. The ruling means that despite his legal team's efforts, the 43-year-old Amishman will remain behind bars for now. This is the latest development in a case we've been following since Shetler's arrest
- [This Amish Shop Went From One Hay Wagon In 1994 To 22,000 Square Feet](https://amishamerica.com/weaver-wagons-wayne-county-ohio-wagon-shop/): In today's guest post, Fred Hendricks shares a closer look at Weaver Wagons, an Ohio Amish-owned wagon and carriage business. Ervin Weaver could not have envisioned the success of this venture when he built the first wagon in 1994 - simple, but quality flatbed to haul hay. Ervin and his family operated a medium sized
- [16-Year-Old Killed In Fall From Wagon While Harvesting Corn (Lancaster County)](https://amishamerica.com/16-year-old-killed-fall-from-wagon-harvesting-corn-lancaster-county/): Another tragic farm accident in Amish Country. A sixteen-year-old boy lost his life Monday afternoon in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, after falling from a horse-drawn wagon during the corn harvest. From LNP | LancasterOnline: A 16-year-old boy died Monday after falling from a horse-drawn wagon while harvesting corn in Leacock Township, according to the Lancaster County
- [2 Killed After Pickup Truck Hits Amish Buggy In Upstate New York](https://amishamerica.com/pickup-hits-amish-buggy-2-killed-upstate-new-york/): Two people were killed and several others seriously hurt Sunday afternoon when a pickup truck and an Amish buggy collided in the town of Canton in St. Lawrence County, New York. The St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Office initially reported one death, then raised the count to two Sunday night. According to WWNY 7 News, the
- [Vaccines, Natural Remedies, Trust In God: 5 Lancaster Amish Parents On The Measles Outbreak](https://amishamerica.com/lancaster-amish-parents-measles-outbreak-trust-in-god-or-vaccinate/): Adding another layer to the ongoing measles story, Amish parents in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania have spoken to local station CBS 21 about their families' vaccination decisions. Unsurprisingly, they don't all agree on how to approach the outbreak, and vaccination in general. Grace Miller knocked on doors and spoke with about 10 Amish residents in the
- [New From Ben & Rose: "Simple Love"](https://amishamerica.com/simple-love-ben-and-rose-song/): Ben & Rose are out with a new song, called "Simple Love". It's their first studio release since "How Great Thou Art" at the end of July. It's one of the more contemporary covers they've done - a song written by Sarah Siskind and made popular by Alison Krauss. They have done at least one
- [This Tennessee Amish Home Packs A Lot Into Just 768 Square Feet (31 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-home-768-square-feet-31-photos-lawrenceburg-tennessee/): I'll start by saying that I love this week's home. Now, I'm not saying I'd love to live there (let's just say it's "very Amish"). But as far as visual appeal of an Amish property goes, this is one of my favorites we've seen. Why? One reason is clear without even looking too close at the details:
- [The Things That Make You Stop & Look Twice At An Amish Auction (15 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-auction-look-twice-jamesport-missouri-15-photos/): Today we're back with the follow-up to last week's piece by Haley Straw, "An Amish Department Store Without Walls." As Haley explains, you never quite know what might catch your eye at an Amish auction. By the time I'd been to the Jamesport (Missouri) Amish School Auction a few times, I had a better idea
- [The Amish Population 2026: All 33 States Ranked Largest to Smallest](https://amishamerica.com/amish-population-ranking-by-state/): As of 2026, over 410,000 horse-and-buggy Amish live in 33 states. Scroll on for the full list, from the largest Amish population (Pennsylvania) to smallest (Alabama). And for more on Amish in each state, check out the linked state guides for each entry. Numbers via the Young Center for Anabaptist & Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown
- [Amish Family Of 6 Hospitalized When Jeep Rear-Ends Buggy At "Highway Speed" (Kansas)](https://amishamerica.com/jeep-rear-ends-amish-buggy-highway-speed-family-of-6-hospitalized-kansas/): A mother was airlifted with traumatic injuries and five other members of her family were taken to hospitals after a Jeep SUV struck their horse-drawn buggy Saturday in Coffey County, Kansas. Here is the account from the Coffey County Sheriff's Office, via KAKE: The Coffey County Sheriff's Office reports that around 5:35 p.m. on Fauna
- [This Amish Store Burned To The Ground In April. Just 51 Days Later, It Was Back In Business](https://amishamerica.com/amish-store-burned-down-april-51-days-later-reopened-missouri/): The Amish-owned Rustic Ridge Variety Store burned to the ground back in April in a community in Lewis County, Missouri. While it's hardly a surprise when an Amish community quickly gets on the job of cleaning up and rebuilding, this one seemed ahead of even a typical schedule. Less than a week later came news
- ["Sneezing Fit" Blamed For Crash That Kills 1 Amish Woman, Seriously Injures 4 Others](https://amishamerica.com/sneezing-fit-blamed-amish-buggy-crash-kills-woman-wisconsin/): An everyday bodily function is being blamed for a crash which has claimed the life of a 37-year-old Amish woman in Monroe County, Wisconsin. Here's what happened, via WMTV: MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - One person has died and five others were injured after a driver’s “sneezing fit” caused her to crash into an Amish buggy
- [Rear-End Crash Flips Amish Buggy — Fire Chief Says Horse Breaking Loose Likely Saved Baby](https://amishamerica.com/crash-flips-amish-buggy-horse-broke-loose-saved-baby-oklahoma/): An Amish family of seven suffered injuries, some of them serious, when a driver rear-ended their buggy Sunday night in Coal County, Oklahoma. The crash was dramatic - and the aftermath was as well. A trapped baby fortunately survived - but it very well could have ended up differently, according to the fire chief. Here's
- [After The Bible, This Is One Of The Most Important Books In Amish Homes. It's Getting A New Translation](https://amishamerica.com/martyrs-mirror-new-translation-1685-dutch-replacing-1886-english/): Martyrs Mirror, a massive tome telling the stories of 16th-century Anabaptist martyrs, along with earlier Christian ones, is one of the most important books in Amish homes. Now it's getting a new translation - this time straight from the 1685 Dutch, replacing English that dates to 1886. Hat tip to Al in KY who brought
- [Ben & Rose Perform "On Heaven's Bright Shore" Live With Conrad Fisher](https://amishamerica.com/on-heavens-bright-shore-live-ben-rose-conrad-fisher/): Ben & Rose have put out a live version of the first song they released this year - "On Heaven's Bright Shore". It's a simple song where Rose's vocals really have space to shine. Ben and producer Conrad Fisher add nice backing vocals and understated guitar. This was recorded in front of an audience at
- [Measles Reported Among Amish In 3 New York Counties, Says Public Health Director](https://amishamerica.com/amish-measles-cases-identified-in-3-new-york-counties-health-director/): In last week's post on the measles situation, I noted how there has been a lot of coverage dancing around the idea that Amish communities are undergoing measles outbreaks — but with little-to-no direct confirmation that measles was present in Amish communities. This was not really the fault of the news outlets reporting on the
- [Coroner: 6-Week-Old Amish Girl Died From Measles. First Confirmed US Measles Death Of 2026](https://amishamerica.com/coroner-confirms-amish-girl-died-measles-first-us-death-2026/): Earlier today, Lancaster County Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni confirmed that a 6-week-old Amish girl died due to measles. As Anne Garber of LNP | LancasterOnline notes, this is the first confirmed measles death in the US this year, and the first in Pennsylvania since 1991. Diamantoni told LNP | LancasterOnline that the girl was born
- [Amish Woman Killed, Toddler And Teen Airlifted After Pickup Rear-Ends Buggy On Ohio Highway](https://amishamerica.com/amish-woman-killed-toddler-teen-airlifted-pickup-rear-ends-buggy-ohio/): An Amish woman was killed and two passengers in her buggy were flown to a Cincinnati hospital after a pickup truck struck the buggy from behind in Highland County, Ohio on Thursday morning. The crash occurred just after 8:30 AM on U.S. Route 50 in Paint Township. From the Wilmington News Journal: According to a
- [An Amish Department Store Without Walls (14 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-department-store-without-walls-jamesport-missouri-auction-14-photos/): Last week, Haley Straw took us to the most recent edition of the Jamesport, Missouri Amish School Auction. She follows that up with a look back at an earlier visit to the same auction - and some of the many and varied things you find at one of these events. "I always get what I
- [8 Amish Parenting Habits That Raise Grounded, Hardworking Children](https://amishamerica.com/8-amish-parenting-habits-that-raise-grounded-hardworking-children/): To generalize for a moment: Amish children tend to leave a positive impression. Visitors come away remarking how well-behaved they are, how respectful they are when around adults, even how they can seem older than they actually are. The explanation you often hear is strictness. There's something to that. Amish parents use traditional forms of
- [The 10 Biggest Amish Communities (2026)](https://amishamerica.com/10-biggest-amish-communities-2019/): Four of them are in Indiana. Two apiece in Pennsylvania and Ohio. And one each in Illinois and Missouri. The list of the top 10 largest Amish settlements doesn't change much from year-to-year. These communities generally have similar steady growth. And relatively few people leaving. Still, I like to do an annual update on the
- [This New York Amish Home Has A Five-Figure Price Tag — And Not A Single Bathroom (21 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/new-york-amish-home-five-figure-price-zero-bathrooms-21-photos/): This Amish home in Conewango Valley, New York was listed in mid-August at $120,000. Two weeks later, the price has dropped into the five figures (current price revealed at the end - as is our custom on these home posts :) ). If that sounds inexpensive, be aware we're looking at one of the plainest
- [Is Measles Spreading In Amish Communities? Nobody Will Officially Say, But Stories Suggest "Yes" (Updated)](https://amishamerica.com/is-measles-spreading-in-amish-communities/): Stories about measles in places where the Amish live keep popping up on my news feed, at a seemingly increasing pace. They're showing up in different regions of the country - the East coast, Northeast, Midwest. Some stories have sections suggesting or leaving readers to draw the conclusion that an outbreak may be happening in or
- [New Order Amish Youth Sing "Wonderful Grace Of Jesus"](https://amishamerica.com/new-order-amish-youth-sing-wonderful-grace-of-jesus/): Here's another song from the same 2023 New Order Amish youth singing that gave us "When All of God's Singers Get Home". This time it's "Wonderful Grace of Jesus". The video is by P. Thomas, who has an extensive collection of live recorded music on his channel, both from Amish and other Christian groups. Like
- [The Amish Now Live In Mexico: 5 Takeaways From The 2026 Amish Population Numbers](https://amishamerica.com/amish-in-mexico-2026-population-numbers/): The new Amish population figures are just out from the Young Center, and as we always do, let's have a look at what's new in the data. I pulled out 5 noteworthy findings from the new info which we'll take a look at one-by-one below. But first, just to set the table: the Young Center
- [Lawyers Say Amish Will Leave New York If They Lose School Vaccine Mandate Case](https://amishamerica.com/amish-will-leave-new-york-if-they-lose-vaccine-case-supreme-court-say-lawyers/): Lawyers for the Amish plaintiffs in New York's school vaccine mandate case say their clients will petition the Supreme Court next month - and that if they lose there, the families intend to leave the state. That comes from the New York Post, which reported from the Fort Plain and Canajoharie area this week. Both
- [An Amish Auction Will Change What You Think of as Junk (15 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-school-auction-nothing-goes-to-waste-jamesport-missouri-15-photos/): Haley Straw is back with a look at the Jamesport, Missouri Amish School Auction. If that sounds familiar, it's because we've seen it covered here before - by Don Burke back in 2014. Let's have a look at Haley's experience at the big event, a dozen years later. My daughter and I arrived at the
- [Driver Had Cruise Control At 60 MPH When He Rear-Ended An Amish Buggy](https://amishamerica.com/amish-buggy-hit-cruise-control-60-mph-no-warning-indiana/): This Amish buggy wreck involves something you don't often hear of in these crashes - cruise control. The rear-end wreck sent an Amish man to hospital. This happened last week - on August 21 - but is just being reported today. A note on the photo above. The image used in the article linked below
- [Lovina Zook Describes Bed Courtship In One Of The Plainest Amish Groups](https://amishamerica.com/lovina-zook-describes-dating-plainest-amish-groups-bundling-bed-courtship/): Last week we got to know more about Lovina Zook, a young Amish-raised woman who makes popular recipe videos. Since then, a reader brought to my attention a short video clip (at bottom) by CBS News, with Lovina describing dating practices in her community. The reader was understandably concerned about people getting the wrong idea
- [Resident: "The Amish Destruction" Has Torn Up County Roads. The Sheriff Says Nothing Can Be Done](https://amishamerica.com/resident-says-buggies-tearing-up-county-roads-indiana/): The Amish community in Lawrence County, Indiana is just a small one - maybe 10 or 12 households. But it's still big enough to have earned the ire of at least one resident. That person voiced a number of concerns - on road damage and more - at a recent County Commissioners' meeting. As reported
- [A Truck Was Doing 75 MPH When It Hit A Buggy Full Of Amish Teens. Their Horse May Have Saved Them](https://amishamerica.com/truck-75-mph-hit-buggy-four-amish-teens-injured-driver-hid-it/): Back in April, we learned of a bad hit-and-run buggy wreck in Geauga County, Ohio. The driver of a pickup truck hit a horse-and-buggy carrying several Amish teens on a local road at 1 AM. I was told then by a local source that the driver was from the Amish community, and "was traveling at
- ["When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder": Ben & Rose Join The Alaskan Sunnyside Sisters](https://amishamerica.com/when-the-roll-is-called-up-yonder-ben-and-rose-rose-alaskan-sunnyside-sisters/): So this one has been out a week and I missed it, for the same reason I missed "Would You Like To Buy Some Flowers" last year - it went up on somebody else's channel. "When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder" is a collaboration between Ben & Rose and a group called The Alaskan
- [Idaho's Only Amish Community Lost Its Market To Fire. 6 Months Later It's Back — And Bigger](https://amishamerica.com/idahos-only-amish-community-lost-market-fire-6-months-later-reopens-rebuilt-bigger/): Six months after a fire destroyed their country store, an Amish family in Lemhi County, Idaho has reopened it – despite the owner saying he was inclined, at first, to not rebuild at all. Baker Country Market is in the unincorporated community of Baker, about nine miles southeast of the larger town of Salmon, by
- [Study: Only 154 People Have Joined the Amish in Nearly a Century](https://amishamerica.com/only-154-people-have-joined-the-amish-nearly-a-century-study/): It seems there's no shortage of curiosity about joining the Amish - especially given the recent "Suddenly Amish" television program. We've also covered the topic fairly often over the years here. One thing has been consistently true: while joining the Amish fascinates a fair number of people, it's simply not that common, for reasons we've
- [Amish Auction Raises 6 Figures For A Genetic Clinic They Founded — Another Happens Next Week](https://amishamerica.com/amish-auction-raises-6-figures-for-genetic-clinic-they-founded/): An Amish-organized benefit auction in Spartansburg, Pennsylvania - now in its 14th year - raised $130,000 earlier this month for the DDC Clinic. The Corry Journal reported on the auction's success. The photos here are of the event and via the DDC Clinic Facebook page. And there is a second one in Ohio coming soon
- [Inside An Ultra-Basic Amish Home With A Foosball Table — And A Trapdoor (24 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-ultra-basic-amish-home-foosball-trapdoor-missouri-24-photos/): The listing for this Amish home in Marshfield, Missouri opens in all capitals: "STEP BACK IN TIME AND BRING IT TO PRESENT DAY YOUR OWN WAY." On one level, that's a funny thing to say about a house that was only built in 2021. It's not an old farmhouse that time forgot. And as you
- [Driver Distracted By Notebook Hits Amish Buggy — 11-Year-Old Suffers Skull Fracture](https://amishamerica.com/distracted-driver-notebook-hits-amish-buggy-4-injured-elkhart-county-indiana/): Four people were injured Monday evening when a car struck the back of a horse-drawn buggy on State Road 13 in Elkhart County, Indiana. This was another case of distracted driving, according to reports. Three of the four people injured were children. An 11-year-old girl was taken to the hospital with a "non-life-threatening" skull fracture.
- [Amish Volleyball Has Gotten Bigger Than You Thought - 4 Takeaways From A New Report](https://amishamerica.com/amish-volleyball-4-things-to-know/): The Philadelphia Inquirer ran a long piece over the weekend on competitive Amish volleyball, reported from a tournament at Intercourse Community Park in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania back in June. I spoke to reporter Jason Nark on the Amish sports topic; his full report is here. A few things stood out to me - here are
- [Lovina Zook Left The Amish And Now Shares Her Recipes With 6 Million Followers — Without Breaking Eye Contact](https://amishamerica.com/lovina-zook-left-the-amish-shares-recipes-without-breaking-eye-contact/): Amish born-and-raised Lovina Hershberger Zook has been getting a lot of media attention beyond her own success online. And for good reason - she now has around six million followers across social media, where she posts recipes and stories about the culture she left. That culture is a conservative Amish community. To my eye and
- [Dozens Of Amish Train For Rural Emergencies In This Pennsylvania Community](https://amishamerica.com/dozens-of-amish-train-rural-emergencies-cpr-belleville-pennsylvania/): We often hear and read about accidents in Amish settings - whether on the farm, in recreational settings like hunting, or on the road. The Lewistown Sentinel reports on how one community has tried to address a gap in emergency skills in rural Amish-heavy areas. Forty-two people turned out for a free Rural Response and
- [Amish Boy, Age 8, Killed In Farm Equipment Accident (Northwest Pennsylvania)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-boy-age-8-killed-farm-equipment-accident-mercer-county-pennsylvania/): I hate to share this news, but it's being reported that a farm accident claimed the life of another Amish child Friday. An eight-year-old boy was pronounced dead this morning at a home in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. More from the CBS Pittsburgh report: An 8-year-old died after an accident involving farm equipment in Mercer County
- [This Tricky Amish Buggy Passing Situation Just Put A Woman In The Hospital](https://amishamerica.com/amish-buggy-passing-double-yellow-line-situation-ohio/): An Amish woman has been hospitalized after a wreck yesterday afternoon (Aug. 13) in Stark County, Ohio. This one resulted from a common and potentially dangerous situation that doesn't get talked about enough. First, the key details from the Canton Repository: Trooper A. Burch said the Amish woman, who lives in the Navarre area, was
- [Amish Acres Owner After Shutdown: "It Was A Paperwork Error" — State Now Finds No Violations](https://amishamerica.com/amish-acres-no-violations-owner-says-shutdown-paperwork-error-nappanee-indiana/): Two days after ordering Amish Acres closed, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security has released a new report stating that no violations were found at the Nappanee, Indiana property. The owner, Brad Juneau, says the shutdown came down to missing paperwork rather than anything unsafe at the site. The IDHS abruptly shut down the business
- ["A Danger To The Public": Judge Shuts Down Former Amish Man's Health Facility](https://amishamerica.com/judge-shuts-down-former-amish-mans-health-facility-iowa/): An Iowa health facility run by a former Amish man has been shut down by court order. A judge has ruled that those operating it are "a danger to the public." We've looked at this case already on two occasions - once when the story of charges against clinic operator Eddie R. Gingerich broke back
- [Lancaster County Man Pleads Guilty In $402 Million ATM Ponzi Scheme That Hit Amish & Mennonites. But His Attorney Says The Loss Could Actually Be...Zero](https://amishamerica.com/amish-mennonite-investors-402-million-atm-scheme-guilty-plea-lancaster-county/): Daryl Heller, the Lancaster County businessman whose ATM investment network drew money from Amish and Mennonites across the Lancaster County area, among others, pleaded guilty to securities fraud on Monday, August 10. However, no one has yet established how much his investors actually lost - with his attorney even claiming to the court that the
- [State Of Indiana Shuts Down Amish Acres For Fire Safety Violations](https://amishamerica.com/indiana-shuts-down-amish-acres-emergency-order-fire-safety-violations/): Amish Acres, an iconic Amish-themed destination in Nappanee, Indiana, has been shut down by the state until fire safety violations are corrected, following a reinspection of the facility. Several safety-related violations, according to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, have led the agency to issue an emergency order requiring all to leave the property and
- [A Visit To The Amish Of Prince Edward Island, Canada (16 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-prince-edward-island-canada-16-photos/): Judy Stavisky, author of In Plain View: The Daily Lives of Amish Women, shares her recent visit to an Amish community on Prince Edward Island, Canada, with us today. All photos in this post by Judy Stavisky. “Would you like to join us for a bowl of ice cream? We churned it ourselves.” A soft
- [Six Ejected In Rear-End Crash — In Pennsylvania County Where Buggy Ban Failed](https://amishamerica.com/six-ejected-buggy-crash-pennsylvania-county-where-ban-failed/): Six people were ejected from a horse-drawn buggy in Bedford County, Pennsylvania on Sunday evening when a car struck it from behind. This is in the same Pennsylvania county where a proposed steel wheel buggy ban failed just days earlier. The crash happened in the early evening on August 9 along William Penn Road, near
- ["Authentically Themselves": Ben & Rose Have Turned Down Record Deals, Never Given An Interview](https://amishamerica.com/ben-and-rose-turned-down-record-deals-never-given-interviews/): Ben & Rose don't put on too many shows - but they recently played a couple of big ones in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (more on that below). We've been following Ben and Rose's music since late 2024, from their first eye-and-ear-catching viral appearance as an Amish couple playing a classic country music tune to dozens
- ["People Spoke, They Don't Want It" — Amish Rest Easier After Steel Wheel Buggy Ban Scrapped](https://amishamerica.com/township-scraps-steel-wheel-buggy-ban-manure-ordinance-pennsylvania/): The Bedford Township ordinance we've been following for the past three weeks is not happening. And in contrast to the last township meeting, where residents spoke out passionately against the steel wheel ban and manure ordinance, there was no more drama to it. Supervisors have simply scrapped it. Residents arriving for the August 4th meeting found
- [An Amish School Auction 7,500 Feet Up In Colorado (16 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-auction-colorado-san-luis-valley-16-photos/): So here's something you don't see every day - an Amish benefit auction held at over 7,500 feet, in country with vast views as far as the eye can see. Reader Alan LaFon checks in from an Amish part of America we don't often hear too much from. These photos come from the annual La
- [Michigan Officials: Our Amish Should Be Able To Vote Without Photo ID](https://amishamerica.com/michigan-officials-our-amish-should-be-able-to-vote-without-photo-id/): Some in Michigan are concerned that the Amish won't be able to vote if the state adopts a photo ID requirement. WWMT reports that a bill which "mirrors the federal SAVE America Act" has already been approved by the Michigan House. But it doesn't currently have the votes to pass in the Michigan Senate. It
- [New From Mike & Marty: "Vision of Mother"](https://amishamerica.com/mike-and-marty-vision-of-mother/): "Vision of Mother" is one of the sadder songs we've seen Mike and Marty do - a tune paying tribute to a beloved mother who has passed away. This one follows their version of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" from back in June, which was also a song about a mother's passing. So it's a
- [18-Wheeler Destroys Amish Buggy On Tennessee Highway — Everyone Survives](https://amishamerica.com/18-wheeler-destroys-amish-buggy-tennessee-highway/): One Amish family is counting their blessings after an 18-wheeler hit their buggy on a four-lane highway. This is from the Amish community at Ethridge, Tennessee. WSMV reports on the story - which appears to have been sourced from Lawrence County executive David Morgan, who shared the family's plight on Facebook yesterday (August 4th). Morgan
- [Amish Retreat Leader Sam Shetler's Defense Succeeds: Trial Moved To New County — Date Expected This Month](https://amishamerica.com/sam-shetler-amish-retreat-leader-defense-succeeds-trial-moving-new-county/): Amish retreat leader Sam Shetler will not be tried in Cooper County, Missouri — the county where he ran the Mercy and Truth Retreat, and where he was arrested in March. Prosecutors have agreed to move the case. This is the latest in a case we've been following since Shetler's arrest in late March. If
- [Dirty Buggy? Amish Youth Will Wash It For You — While You Eat Ham Sandwiches](https://amishamerica.com/amish-benefit-buggy-wash/): Just like your car, Amish buggies - not to mention their horses - need the occasional wash too. That's the idea behind an upcoming event in the Shipshewana, Indiana area, passed along to us by Jim Halverson. This is the ad for a benefit buggy wash to be held about two weeks from now, on
- [Trade The Amish For Data Centers? Residents At Township Meeting Fear Where This Could Lead](https://amishamerica.com/trade-the-amish-for-data-centers-a-real-fear-for-some/): The Morrisons Cove Herald has a fuller writeup now of the July 21 Bedford Township (Bedford County, PA) meeting we've been following. It's the one where supervisors were set to vote on the steel wheel and manure ordinance, but in the end - likely responding to the backlash from attendees - didn't. We first covered
- [Driver Who Fled Amish Buggy Crash That Injured Pregnant Woman Pleads Guilty; Arrested Again For Drunk Driving](https://amishamerica.com/driver-who-fled-amish-buggy-crash-that-injured-pregnant-woman-pleads-guilty-arrested-again-for-drunk-driving/): Another ending of sorts, this one on a story out of Williams County, Ohio ​we’ve been following since November. The driver who injured Martha Wagler, a 27-year-old Amish woman, and her two children in a hit-and-run crash last fall has taken a plea deal. As we covered back in November and again in December, Wagler's buggy was struck
- [A Little Amish-Founded Clinic Has Identified More Rare Genetic Disorders Than Any Other. These 2 August Auctions Support It](https://amishamerica.com/two-august-auctions-support-amish-founded-ddc-genetic-clinic/): Auctions To Support The DDC Clinic Are Happening in Spartansburg, Pennsylvania (August 7) and Middlefield, Ohio (August 28) Two benefit auctions this August support the DDC Clinic in Middlefield, Ohio - an Amish-founded nonprofit that has identified more rare genetic disorders than any clinic in the world. In the late 1990s, a group of Amish
- [6 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Ohio's Largest Amish Community](https://amishamerica.com/6-things-you-didnt-know-holmes-county-amish/): A Population Profile of the Greater Holmes County settlement of Northeast Ohio Out of 700-plus Amish settlements, there are four that can be considered super-sized. In previous editions of The Journal of Plain Anabaptist Communities (JPAC), profiles for three already were published. The first of these was by Lawrence Greksa about the Greater Geauga, Ohio
- [New From Ben & Rose: "How Great Thou Art"](https://amishamerica.com/ben-and-rose-how-great-thou-art/): Ben & Rose are back, this time covering a hymn beloved by many. "How Great Thou Art" went up on YouTube yesterday, their first new song since "Stroll Over Heaven" at the end of June. The hymn has an interesting history. It started life as a Swedish poem, "O Store Gud," written by Carl Boberg
- [Amish Man Pleads Guilty To Murder Of Amish Woman Rosanna Kinsinger, Sentenced To Life in Prison](https://amishamerica.com/amish-man-pleads-guilty-to-murder-of-amish-woman-rosanna-kinsinger-sentenced-to-life-in-prison/): A very sad and awful story is now coming to an end of sorts, as Samuel Hochstetler has pleaded guilty to aggravated murder in the death of 28-year-old Amish woman Rosanna Kinsinger. Kinsinger was found dead in her Meigs County, Ohio home back in March 2025. Hochstetler, 18 at the time, was arrested and charged
- [Missouri Has Gained 21 New Amish Settlements Since 2015 — More Than Any Other State](https://amishamerica.com/missouri-added-most-new-amish-settlements/): We pretty regularly feature posts on the Amish in Missouri on this site. So it's probably no surprise to many readers that it is the #7 state when it comes to total Amish population. In a new piece on Amish in the state, the Columbia Missourian draws attention to another noteworthy Missouri Amish statistic. Namely,
- [This Idyllic Ohio Amish Homestead Has 3 Barns, an Icehouse, and Its Own Creek (35 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/idyllic-ohio-amish-homestead-three-barns-icehouse-creek-35-photos/): This Amish home listing in Frazeysburg, Ohio contains the description "some of the most beautiful farm ground you can imagine." Hard to argue after seeing these lovely photos. The property is 25 acres with the Wakatomika Creek running right along its western edge (visible in the photo below). The presence of an icehouse building (we'll
- [This Amish Buggy For Disabled Riders Has A Solar-Powered Lift](https://amishamerica.com/amish-buggy-for-disabled-riders-with-solar-powered-lift/): Sixteen months after starting the process, Amish Kitchen columnist Lovina Eicher's youngest son Kevin finally has his handicap-accessible buggy. This week, Lovina shares a closer look with readers of her column. Kevin, age 20, has muscular dystrophy. He gets around on a mobility scooter (see photo further down). But at about 6'4" and 230 pounds,
- ["We Are Not Targeting The Amish" — Township Delays Vote Banning Steel Wheel Buggies After Packed Meeting](https://amishamerica.com/we-are-not-targeting-the-amish-township-delays-buggy-ban-vote/): A proposed ordinance that would ban steel-wheel buggies in a Pennsylvania township is on hold after dozens of residents packed a supervisors' meeting Tuesday night to speak against it. Despite the planned vote, Bedford Township supervisors (Bedford County) did not take one in the end. They now say they plan to meet with the local
- [The Amish Rarely Settle In This Southern State — Now It's Getting A Second Community](https://amishamerica.com/amish-rarely-settle-this-southern-state-now-getting-second-community/): It appears the Amish are putting down roots in a state that they have rarely settled in the past — Mississippi. In fact, for the past three decades, the Magnolia State has had just one small Amish community. But a second is now arising in Prentiss County in northeast Mississippi, according to a new report.
- [Thousands of Amish Turn Out For Ohio "Family Farm Field Days" (13 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/thousands-of-amish-turn-out-for-ohio-family-farm-field-days-13-photos/): Earlier this month, Sugarcreek Budget Publisher Milo Miller brought us a look at the latest edition of Horse Progress Days. He's back with a look at another popular Amish event, this time Family Farm Field Days, held in Apple Creek, Ohio. It's a gathering built on a simple idea: that farming can still be a
- [This Amish Training Center Helps Open Doors For Community Members With Special Needs](https://amishamerica.com/amish-training-center-helps-open-doors-community-members-special-needs/): Special Creations, an Amish-run center in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, plays a special role in the community - providing work opportunities for community members with physical and mental disabilities. Gwen Albers of New Castle News shares more on what they do: At Special Creations at 819 state Route 18 in Wilmington Township, south of the Dairy
- [Crime Stoppers Seek Hit-and-Run Pickup Driver Who Injured Amish Man & His Horse](https://amishamerica.com/crime-stoppers-wisconsin-seek-hit-and-run-driver-injured-amish-man-horse/): A hit-and-run driver is being sought in Jackson County, Wisconsin, after a pickup truck struck an Amish buggy on the evening of Wednesday, July 8th, injuring both the man riding in it and his horse. According to WEAU: JACKSON COUNTY, Wis. (WEAU) — Jackson County Crime Stoppers are asking the public to help identify the
- [New Law Aimed At Amish Community Would Ban Steel Wheel Buggies, Require Manure Cleanup](https://amishamerica.com/new-law-aimed-amish-community-ban-steel-wheel-buggies-require-manure-cleanup/): A proposed ordinance in Bedford County, Pennsylvania would force local Amish to adapt their buggies to be more "road-friendly", at least from the perspective of some residents. At the same time, others are concerned it could "disproportionately impact" the Amish community. From the report at WJAC: BEDFORD COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — A proposed ordinance in
- [5 Things You Should Never Say To An Amish Person (Or Should You?)](https://amishamerica.com/5-things-you-should-never-say-to-an-amish-person-or-should-you/): So I couldn't resist commenting on this one. You may have come across slideshow-style "listicle" posts on mass media sites like MSN or AOL. I've been seeing a lot of them lately about the Amish (sometimes they link to this website as a source, so no complaints there). Things like "10 surprising technologies the Amish
- [Amish Take "Very Rare" Public Action — But This $6.4 Million Matter Is An Exception](https://amishamerica.com/amish-take-very-rare-public-action-but-this-6-4-million-matter-is-an-exception/): The matter at hand is a major road overpass project in Seymour, Missouri - meant to help improve safety in the state's largest Amish settlement. It's intended to go up in a part of the community where they are "genuinely scared" to drive their buggies, according to the former mayor. We first came across this
- [13-Year-Old Amish Girl Killed in Wisconsin Buggy Crash — Despite Lights, Reflective Vest, and Slow-Moving Vehicle Sign](https://amishamerica.com/13-year-old-amish-girl-killed-wisconsin-buggy-crash-despite-lights-reflective-vest-smv-sign/): Very sad breaking news out of Sauk County, Wisconsin. A 13-year-old Amish girl lost her life while driving a buggy Wednesday morning, after it was struck by a Ford F350 hauling a trailer. From the report at WKOW: VILLAGE OF IRONTON, Wis. (WKOW) — A 13-year-old Amish girl died after a truck pulling a trailer
- [Bread Soup, Oyster Stew & More: Favorite Dishes From My Ohio Amish Community](https://amishamerica.com/bread-soup-oyster-stew-and-more-favorite-dishes-from-my-ohio-amish-community/): Nora Kurtz is a member of a Geauga County, Ohio Amish church. Today she shares some favorite dishes from her childhood - and some she still loves today, including bread soup and more. Anyone who lives in or around a large Amish community is probably going to be at least somewhat familiar with "Amish food".
- [Father Claimed His 2-Year-Old Son Was With The Amish in Mississippi. Investigators Likely Just Found The Boy's Body](https://amishamerica.com/father-claimed-2-year-old-son-was-with-mississippi-amish-investigators-found-boys-body/): This is a strange and tragic case out of Missouri. This story does not directly involve the Amish, but nonetheless they play a particularly odd role in it. A father who told police his missing 2-year-old son had been dropped off at an Amish community in Mississippi has been arrested. This week, in a wooded
- [Amish Man, 74, Sent to Hospital After Camaro Slams Into His Buggy — Alcohol Suspected](https://amishamerica.com/amish-buggy-driver-age-74-hurt-camaro-alcohol-suspected/): Alcohol use is in the picture, yet again, in another Amish buggy crash. Fortunately, this one was not fatal, like others have been. The buggy crash victim is a 74-year-old Amish man from the Harmony, Minnesota community, the state's largest. Here's more on the Saturday crash from the Post Bulletin report: LANESBORO, Minn. — One
- [Amish Buggy Hit by Car on New York Highway — 77-Year-Old Amish Man Critical, Horse Killed](https://amishamerica.com/car-hits-amish-buggy-hay-loader-palatine-ny/): A 77-year-old Amish man from Palatine, New York remains in critical condition tonight after a car struck his buggy on a state highway in Montgomery County Thursday evening. The accident impact happened on a curve, while the buggy was towing a piece of farm equipment (more on that below). From CBS 6 Albany: Sheriff Jeffery
- [State Police: Destruction "Too Great" to Determine Cause of Fire That Killed Amish Family of 7](https://amishamerica.com/amish-family-fire-killed-7-cause-undetermined-clinton-county-pa/): Nearly three months after the April fire that killed an Amish mother and her six children in Clinton County, Pennsylvania, state police say they cannot determine what caused it. The reason: too much destruction to work with. From the report at PennLive: The cause of the fire in Clinton County that killed an Amish mother
- [Amish Man & Woman Airlifted After Buggy Wreck on Iowa Road With Deadly History](https://amishamerica.com/amish-man-woman-airlifted-after-buggy-wreck-on-iowa-road-with-deadly-history/): Two people were airlifted for treatment after a Friday afternoon buggy crash in Iowa's largest Amish community - on a road with a deadly history for Amish in the community. From the report at the Bloomfield Democrat: Davis County Deputy Sheriff James Johnson said Tuesday morning he did not yet have a complete official report
- [Q & A with Elam Stoltzfus, Co-Author of Amish Family Records of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania: Fraktur & Needlework—1800 to 1900s](https://amishamerica.com/elam-stoltzfus-amish-family-records-lancaster-county-pennsylvania-fraktur-needlework-1800-1900s/): A newly-released book collects 123 fraktur pieces and needlework family records from Amish families in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, spanning the 1800s. It's the result of nearly three decades of collecting by the late Jack Parmer, with genealogical research and text by Elam Stoltzfus — who joins us today to share more on it. Here's how
- ["Legal War on the Amish": Attorney Fights For Breeder Who Killed 4 Unsold Puppies](https://amishamerica.com/amish-breeder-killed-4-unsold-puppies-felony-charges-lancaster-county/): After last week's animal cruelty case, I really wasn't looking to write more on Amish-owned dogs coming to harm. But here we are. Today we see a report on an Amish dog breeder named John S. Stoltzfus Jr. The Lancaster County resident got himself into trouble after it was learned that, in late 2023, he
- [The Biggest Amish Horse Festival of the Year Just Happened in Illinois (23 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/horse-progress-days-2026-amish-arthur-illinois-23-photos/): Horse Progress Days 2026 happened last weekend in the Arthur, Illinois community. Like he did last year, Budget Newspaper publisher Milo Miller shares a great batch of photos he took while at the event. For those unfamiliar, Horse Progress Days is the marquee event for horse-drawn farming equipment. It draws thousands of Amish attendees from
- [Ohio Amish Lumber Mill Devastated By Fire — Expected To Smolder For Days](https://amishamerica.com/ohio-amish-lumber-mill-devastated-fire-expected-smolder-for-days/): A "devastating" fire tore through an Amish-run sawmill in Geauga County, Ohio, Thursday evening, leaving behind smoking remains that are expected to smolder for days to come. Twenty mutual aid companies from four counties responded to help Middlefield Fire in battling the blaze - a sign of how powerful the blaze was. The business is
- [Michigan Crash That Killed 5 Amish: Driver Charged With Murder, DUI](https://amishamerica.com/driver-charged-murder-dui-five-amish-killed-michigan-van-crash/): Nearly a year after the deadly van wreck in Tuscola County, Michigan, that killed six people - five of them Amish - authorities have made an arrest. Why the delay? They had to figure out who was actually driving the pickup truck that (reportedly) ran a stop sign and crashed into the van. More from
- [Vaccine Mandate After All? Amish School Parents Lose 2nd Round — Court Finds Case "Without Merit"](https://amishamerica.com/amish-school-parents-lose-2nd-round-vaccine-mandate-case/): Amish parents in New York face a setback in the latest of a back-and-forth series of court decisions. In news released Tuesday, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled against the Amish parents and schools in the long-running case over vaccine requirements in New York schools. As a reminder, the current NY law requires
- [New from Ben & Rose: "Stroll Over Heaven"](https://amishamerica.com/ben-and-rose-stroll-over-heaven/): Ben & Rose have just released a new tune - "Stroll Over Heaven" is a gospel song written by Carl L. Trivette in 1952. It was popularized more recently by Alan Jackson on his 2005 gospel release Precious Memories. This is their first since their team-up with Rose's siblings Mike & Marty on "Palms of
- [Amish Owner Planned to Breed His Injured Dog, Then Put Her Down. A Shelter Got Her First](https://amishamerica.com/amish-owner-injured-dog-surrendered-animal-cruelty-investigation/): A really sad, and maddening, story was reported last week out of upstate New York. Some of this is hard to read. Via WWNY: POTSDAM, New York (WWNY) - Warning: the photos and description of the dog’s injury may be upsetting The St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a suspected case of animal cruelty
- [Horse Tramples Person At Pennsylvania Amish Farm; Life Flight Grounded By Clouds](https://amishamerica.com/horse-tramples-person-pennsylvania-amish-farm-life-flight-grounded-clouds/): Emergency crews in central Pennsylvania were called to an Amish farm on Saturday evening after a person was run over by a horse. The call came in shortly after 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Responders were drawn from both Dauphin and neighboring Perry County. A few details, per PennLive, citing
- [The Top 3 Buffet Restaurants in America Are All in Amish Country](https://amishamerica.com/top-3-buffet-restaurants-in-america-all-amish-country/): That's according to the latest Top 10 list just released by USA Today, which pegs several Amish Country/PA Dutch-style buffets as the best in the country. The top three, in fact, are all in that category. In order, they are: Shady Maple Smorgasbord (Lancaster County, Pennsylvania) Der Dutchman (Sarasota, Florida) Miller's Smorgasbord (Lancaster County, Pennsylvania)
- [A Return To Virginia's Oldest Amish Community — And The Woman Who Left Something Beautiful Behind (15 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/return-to-virginias-oldest-amish-community-woman-who-left-something-beautiful-behind-15-photos/): Reader Shawn has been visiting the Amish community at Pearisburg, Virginia for over a decade now. The first visit of Shawn's we saw here was back in 2014, followed by a return in 2016 to check on the newly opened Walker Valley Market. I've made a couple of visits myself - one on a rainy
- [An Amish Garage Sale & More: Scenes From a Michigan Community (17 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-garage-sale-scenes-michigan-community-17-photos/): Jim Halverson is back with another look around the Cass City, Michigan Amish community. This photo set takes in a local Amish-attended garage sale, marked with balloons out front - along with a few other sights from around the settlement. We've previously seen how garage sales are popular with the Amish in northern Indiana. This
- [Amish Father: County Threatened To Take My Children Over Outhouse Permits](https://amishamerica.com/amish-father-claims-county-threatened-take-children-over-outhouses/): The county, for its part, "vehemently den[ies]" that claim, according to new reporting at Cowboy State Daily. The issue is one we looked at last week in the Amish community at Hulett, Wyoming. A non-Amish rancher claimed that Crook County officials were driving Amish families away due to how it was handling a dispute over
- [Online Influencers Are Recording Interactions With Unknowing Amish People Using Camera Glasses — And Racking Up Millions Of Views](https://amishamerica.com/influencers-recording-unknowing-amish-camera-glasses-millions-of-views/): A pair of online influencers have been scoring a huge amount of online attention - in the millions of views - thanks to videos surreptitiously recording their conversations and interactions with Amish people. The videos are recorded using camera technology built into Meta AI glasses, typically at food stand businesses in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and
- [4 Amish Teens Caught Breaking Into Home — Charged With Felony Burglary, Underage Drinking; Buggies Towed](https://amishamerica.com/4-amish-teens-caught-breaking-into-home-underage-drinking-buggies-towed/): Four Amish youth have landed themselves in hot water, after allegedly breaking into a home in Holmes County, Ohio. Deputies arrived to see them fleeing - and they were apparently still inside the home when law enforcement arrived. Those involved face charges including felony burglary, underage alcohol offenses, and for one, even an assault charge. This happened
- [Echoes From Amish Country: The Awareness Meeting](https://amishamerica.com/echoes-from-amish-country-the-awareness-meeting/): Rain tapped steadily against the metal roof while muddy boots shuffled across the floor of the open shed. The building wasn’t insulated — just a tall shell of a structure with church benches lined up beneath dim gray light filtering in through the open doors. Outside, vans sat parked in a wet field, tires slowly
- [$30,000 Daily Fines? Rancher Claims "Stupid" Outhouse Crackdown Is Forcing Amish Out Of Wyoming Community](https://amishamerica.com/wyoming-amish-outhouse-dispute/): Another conflict over outhouses has roiled an Amish community in America's least-populated state, with a rancher claiming threats of massive fines have caused local Amish families to start leaving. Hulett in Crook County is the site of Wyoming's largest and oldest Amish settlement - about 190 people according to Young Center estimates, or roughly 40
- [This Extra-Long Amish Home Has Solar Power, 2 Kitchens & A 3-Door Garage (24 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/extra-long-iowa-amish-home-solar-power-2-kitchens-3-door-garage/): The first thing you'll notice about this Amish home is that it just keeps going. It's one of the longest homes we've featured in this series. A low, stretched-out ranch style that's half-home, and half-three-door garage. More on that garage in a minute - it's doing more than just buggy storage. This one is in
- [Sheriff's Office Searching for Missing "At Risk" Amish Man in Southern Illinois](https://amishamerica.com/sheriffs-office-searching-for-missing-at-risk-amish-man-in-southern-illinois/): Reports are coming out over the past hour that authorities in deep southern Illinois are asking for help finding a young Amish man who hasn't been seen since Friday evening. The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office is searching for 20-year-old Joseph Kaufman, who they've classified as an "at risk" missing person. Here are the main details
- [11-Year-Old Amish Boy Seriously Injured After Buggy Pulls Into Path Of Oncoming SUV](https://amishamerica.com/amish-boy-injured-buggy-pulls-into-suv-path-michigan/): It's believed that an 11-year-old Amish boy pulled out into oncoming traffic, resulting in a serious accident in Gladwin County, Michigan on Wednesday morning. According to police the boy's view was obscured. Here's more from ABC 12: The crash happened just after 10 a.m. on McCulloch Rd., about a quarter-mile north of Lang Road in
- [Man Charged With Attempted Kidnapping Of Amish Girl — After Months Of Harassment & Indecent Exposure](https://amishamerica.com/man-charged-attempted-kidnapping-of-amish-girl-indecent-exposure/): A man has been arrested and charged after what investigators describe as a months-long pattern of harassment & indecent exposure aimed at young females in the Amish community near DeGraff, Ohio. The Logan County Sheriff's Office laid out the allegations in a press release, via Peak of Ohio: Detectives from the Logan County Sheriff’s Office
- [New York Man Charged With 10 Burglaries Of Amish Homes](https://amishamerica.com/new-york-man-charged-10-amish-home-burglaries/): It looks like another run of targeting the Amish has come to an end. A Brocton, New York man is facing a 35-count indictment over a string of burglaries at Amish homes in the far western end of the state. The burglaries happened in various parts of Chautauqua County, which is home to several separate
- [Amish Dairy Recalls Cheese In 5 States - And D.C. - Over Listeria Contamination](https://amishamerica.com/amish-dairy-cheese-recall-listeria-5-states-dc/): An Amish-owned dairy in Maryland is recalling all of its cheese products over possible listeria contamination, with distribution having reached five states and Washington, D.C. To date, nine people in multiple states have been identified as infected with this listeria outbreak strain. That includes one person who died in Maryland in 2023. Clover Hill Dairy,
- [New from Mike & Marty: "Will The Circle Be Unbroken"](https://amishamerica.com/mike-and-marty-will-the-circle-be-unbroken/): "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" was originally written in 1907 by Ada R. Habershon, with music by Charles H. Gabriel. Versions of it were later more famously recorded by The Carter Family, Johnny Cash, and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – with variations in lyrics and music. Now Mike and Marty contribute their own effort
- [JPAC Volume 6, Issue 2 Released: Holmes County Demographics, Remarriage Among The Amish, And More](https://amishamerica.com/jpac-volume-6-issue-2-holmes-county-demographics-remarriage-among-amish-more/): The Journal of Plain Anabaptist Communities (JPAC) is dedicated to publishing a variety of articles about the Amish, Mennonites, Hutterites and other plain Anabaptist groups. The recently released Volume 6, Issue 2 is no exception. Holmes County Amish Demographics The lead article is a demographic profile of the Greater Holmes County Amish settlement. Located in
- [Virginia Department Of Health Says "Stay Away" From Amish Auction - Due To Measles Outbreak](https://amishamerica.com/virginia-health-department-warns-stay-away-from-amish-auction/): The Virginia Department of Health doesn't often have opinions about Amish auctions. This week it made an exception. In a health advisory issued Thursday, the department pointed to the Amish Parochial School Consignment Auction in Dillwyn, set for this Friday and Saturday, as an event people should skip if they're not vaccinated against measles. That's
- [12 More Photos From the Central Michigan Amish Retirement Auction](https://amishamerica.com/central-michigan-amish-retirement-auction-12-more-photos/): Today we've got more photos from Jim Halverson's visit to a retirement auction in Gladwin County, Michigan. It's a "retirement" auction because the family holding it are apparently getting out of the dairy business. As they write in the sale bill, “We are retiring and will offer the following at Public Auction.” It happens commonly
- [Hundreds of Amish Turn Out for Road, Home, and Farm Safety Day (Nappanee)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-family-safety-day-nappanee-indiana/): Amish life presents certain hazards that typical non-Amish life does not. Those can include dangers when traveling by buggy, working on the farm, or even dangers from non-electric fuels in the home. Adding a lot of children to the mix, as is the norm for Amish families, adds another layer to the topic. Of course,
- [16-Year-Old Amish Girl Killed When Semi Rear-Ends Buggy On Indiana State Road](https://amishamerica.com/amish-teen-girl-killed-semi-rear-ends-buggy-indiana/): A 16-year-old Amish girl named Laura Schwartz was killed when a semi-truck rear-ended the horse-drawn buggy she was riding in. The crash happened early Saturday - the morning of June 6 - in Adams County, Indiana. It's been a bad stretch on the roads for the Amish — and this is at least the second
- [Michigan Driver Strikes Amish Buggy, Ejecting Four — Including Pregnant Woman; Drug Use Suspected](https://amishamerica.com/michigan-driver-strikes-amish-buggy-pregnant-woman-critical-drug-use-suspected/): Michigan has returned to the news with another buggy crash — and again, one involving a (potentially) impaired person behind the wheel. A driver rear-ended an Amish buggy Friday evening in St. Joseph County, ejecting all four people inside and leaving a pregnant woman in critical condition. Drug use is suspected. Here's more from WTVB:
- [This Rare Deep South Amish Community Now Has 4 Homes For Sale — Is It Disbanding? (20 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/rare-deep-south-amish-community-4-homes-for-sale-is-it-disbanding-20-photos/): Back in April we featured an Amish homestead for sale in the Randolph community of Pontotoc County, Mississippi - one of only two Amish settlements in the entire Deep South. Not too long after that post went up, a reader named William left a comment: "There are 3 Amish homes for sale in that area.
- [Echoes From Amish Country: Voices Of Hope](https://amishamerica.com/echoes-from-amish-country-voices-of-hope/): The church parking lot in Holmes County was already filling when Lizzie and I pulled in. Women in plain dresses, women in jeans, and women in dress slacks moved steadily toward the doors carrying coffee cups, purses, notebooks, and homemade snacks. Some greeted each other like old friends. Others looked nervous, like they were still
- [Woman With 0.14 BAC Hits Amish Buggy Carrying Five, Including Baby — Then Flees Wrong Way On Highway](https://amishamerica.com/woman-intoxicated-hits-amish-buggy-carrying-five-baby-then-flees-wrong-way/): An intoxicated 25-year-old woman struck an Amish buggy in Kosciusko County, Indiana several days ago, leaving behind multiple injured victims, and ultimately a trail of ugliness. And I say this is one of the uglier such stories, for several reasons. Those include what happened to the Amish victims involved - but especially for this person's
- [Amish Teen Killed on Fishing Trip After Car Rear-Ends Open Buggy in Kentucky](https://amishamerica.com/amish-teen-killed-fishing-trip-buggy-crash-kentucky/): Another tragic buggy crash has claimed the life of a young member of an Amish community in northern Kentucky, and left two others injured. The crash happened this past Saturday in Carroll County, Kentucky, as local Amish youth were on a fishing trip. According to reporting by the Madison Courier: The teens were traveling along
- [Big Amish Crowd Turns Out For Central Michigan Auction (16 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/big-amish-crowd-central-michigan-auction-19-photos/): Jim Halverson recently attended an auction in Gladwin County, Michigan. As you can see from the photos, it was a well-attended event, likely in the hundreds of people. It happened this past Friday, May 29. Auctions are a fixture of Amish community life. They may be estate sales, farm sales, benefit events, or simply a
- [Ben & Rose AND Mike & Marty: "Palms of Victory"](https://amishamerica.com/ben-and-rose-and-mike-and-marty-palms-of-victory/): Ben and Rose have joined with Rose's siblings Mike and Marty to do a lovely rendition of "Palms of Victory". This just released today, and I bet it's going to get a lot of listens :) Rose was previously in a group with brother Mike and sister Marty, called Third Fret Harmony, which we've seen
- [Echoes from Amish Country: My First Trip Home](https://amishamerica.com/echoes-from-amish-country-my-first-trip-home/): The van heater hummed while the sky was still black outside, and I was deep asleep when— Rap tap tap, rap tap tap, rap tap tap. “Hey, Haley, are you awake?” David B’s baritone voice jolted me upright. I blinked at the clock. 6:00 a.m. Seriously? I thought. Don’t these Amish let their drivers sleep?
- ["More Than Just a Store": Michigan Amish Grocery Burns To The Ground](https://amishamerica.com/more-than-just-a-store-michigan-amish-grocery-burns-down/): An Amish-owned grocery store in Newaygo County, Michigan burned to the ground overnight — destroyed in a fire that broke out around midnight Thursday. This is From WOOD TV8: GARFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — An Amish-owned grocery store west of Newaygo burned to the ground overnight. The fire broke out around midnight Thursday at Brookside
- [Michigan Woman Gets 6 Years in Prison for DUI Crash That Killed 8-Year-Old Amish Girl](https://amishamerica.com/michigan-woman-6-years-prison-dui-crash-killed-amish-girl/): In March of last year, eight-year-old Alma Yoder was thrown from the buggy she was riding in, after it was rear-ended about a mile from her Van Buren County, Michigan home. Alma suffered severe injuries, and later died at hospital. Her 12-year-old brother Joey was critically injured but survived. The driver of the vehicle which
- [1-800-CHATGPT: How Some Amish Are Using A.I.](https://amishamerica.com/1-800-chatgpt-how-some-amish-are-using-artificial-intelligence/): An Amish man named Lewis Wengerd needed to research an excavating machine. He didn't have computer access at the time. His church bans smartphones. So he picked up his flip phone and dialed 1-800-CHATGPT. That's not the only way the Amish are using AI — but it might be the most memorable. I had never
- [School Board Member: The Amish Weren't "Used" To Vote Down School Budget - They Simply "Did the Math"](https://amishamerica.com/school-board-member-amish-werent-used-to-vote-down-budget-they-did-the-math/): Last week we heard from the school superintendent of Randolph Central Schools in Cattaraugus County, New York, who placed blame for a local budget's failure to pass on both the Amish, and those he claimed "used" the Amish to "flood the vote". In that post I noted that those Amish living in the district, and
- [Once-Amish Man Running Unlicensed Health Facility Claimed To Have Treated Over 70 Cancer Patients](https://amishamerica.com/once-amish-man-unlicensed-health-facility-claimed-treated-70-cancer-patients/): Following the news of once-Amish Eddie R. Gingerich's arrest and felony charges tied to running an unlicensed health facility, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reported more on the story. Reporter Clark Kauffman provides more details on Gingerich's clientele, and how his practice was outfitted. We also learn more on some individual patient cases - two that
- [New from Mike & Marty: "Keep On The Sunny Side"](https://amishamerica.com/mike-and-marty-keep-on-the-sunny-side/): Here is an upbeat song for your day - Mike and Marty just released a new one called "Keep On The Sunny Side". This tune was originally written in the late 1800s by Ada Blenkhorn, and later recorded by the Carter family. The story behind its writing is moving: In 1899 Ada Blenkhorn was inspired
- [Pickup Hits Amish Buggy Pulling a Boat Before Dawn — Horse Killed, Five Injured](https://amishamerica.com/amish-buggy-towing-boat-before-dawn-hit-pickup-horse-killed-five-injured/): An Amish buggy - carrying at least five people and towing a boat - was struck from behind this morning, killing the horse and leaving five injured. This happened in Stark County, Ohio - part of the sprawling Holmes County Amish settlement. Here's the report from the Canton Repository: LAWRENCE TWP. ‒ A horse died
- [Sam Shetler Pleads Not Guilty After Requesting — And Receiving — New Judge; Bond Again Denied](https://amishamerica.com/sam-shetler-pleads-not-guilty-new-judge-bond-denied/): There have been a couple of recent updates on the Mercy & Truth Retreat case. Retreat Leader Sam Shetler, indicted on 10 counts including multiple felonies, pleaded not guilty Wednesday in the Cooper County, Missouri Courthouse. Also, in what I would assume is a "win" for his side, he had previously requested - and been
- [Amish Man & Horse Killed After Driver Admits Looking Away from Road](https://amishamerica.com/amish-man-horse-killed-driver-admits-looking-away-from-road/): After a relatively quiet period of (at least no widely-reported) fatal Amish buggy accidents, sadly another bad one happened Tuesday afternoon. This comes out of Lafayette County, Wisconsin. In some of these accidents, the horse survives, while a rider or driver doesn't make it, and sometimes the reverse. But in this case, both died -
- [Superintendent Claims Hundreds of Amish Were "Trucked In" To Vote Down a School Budget](https://amishamerica.com/amish-trucked-in-vote-down-school-budget/): You're probably aware that the Amish vote much less often than non-Amish do. But a notable minority still do vote in general elections, and on local matters. So it's not that odd to hear of Amish people voting. But I'd never seen a story quite like this before. In a new report, a school superintendent
- [Amish Fishermen Caught & Kept a Giant 40-Pound Muskie and Some Are Not Happy About It](https://amishamerica.com/amish-fishermen-caught-kept-40-pound-muskie-some-not-happy/): A pair of videos have been making the rounds showing an Amish fisherman and a boy - who I would guess is his son - hauling away a giant fish after a successful catch. The fish is a muskellunge, better known as a "muskie" - and you can tell by the way the man is
- [This Ultra-Functional Amish Home Looks Like a Metal Barn — Workshop Below, Home Above (29 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-home-looks-like-metal-barn-workshop-below-home-above-29-photos/): A lot of things are jumping out about this Amish home listing in Guernsey County, Ohio — starting with the fact that you might drive right past it thinking it's a commercial building. More on that in a minute. As to the locale, this home sits in one of the most Amish-dense counties in the
- [The 17 States WITHOUT An Amish Community](https://amishamerica.com/states-without-amish/): May 2026 UPDATE: With one more previously "Amish-less" state - Alabama - getting an Amish presence in the past year, the size of this list decreases further - from 18 to just 17 states without Amish. So that means right about two-thirds of the states have at least one horse-and-buggy Amish location. Essentially, it's becoming
- [How do the Amish observe Ascension Day? Are Amish stores open?](https://amishamerica.com/amish-ascension-day/): This year (2026) Ascension Day - commemorating Jesus' physical ascension into heaven - is Thursday, May 14th. The date changes each year, falling on the 40th day following Easter Sunday. Interestingly, Ascension Day is observed by Amish in some places - but not in others. Ascension Day: Observance in Different Amish Communities The Amish in
- [Conrad Fisher Turned An Old Church Into A Studio And Helped Send Ben & Rose To 40 Million Views](https://amishamerica.com/conrad-fisher-ragamuffin-hall-ben-rose-40-million-views/): If you've been following Ben and Rose, you probably know Conrad Fisher has been part of their story from the beginning — producing their music, playing on their recordings, and showing up in their video clips. The Associated Press recently did a piece which centers on Conrad and Ragamuffin Hall — a former Presbyterian brick
- [Amish Horse Collapses On Highway & Falls Into Water — Deputies Help Owner Save It](https://amishamerica.com/amish-horse-collapses-falls-into-water-rescued-deputies/): This sort-of dramatic story with a happy ending comes from an Amish community in the excellently-named Otter Tail County, Minnesota. It turns out that an Amish horse collapsed while traveling on a highway - falling into water of some sort. The details come from a law enforcement roundup report at the Perham Focus: [May 11]
- [Amish Retreat Leader Sam Shetler Now Faces Possible Life in Prison After Grand Jury Indictment (UPDATE: Shetler's Side Seeks New Judge)](https://amishamerica.com/sam-shetler-indicted-grand-jury-now-possible-life-in-prison/): Sam Shetler, the Amish man who led the Mercy and Truth Retreat in Cooper County, Missouri, was indicted by a grand jury Friday — and the indictment includes an upgrade that puts life in prison on the table. This is the latest development in a case we've been following since Shetler's arrest in late March.
- [Amish In This Community Invited A 15-Year-Old TikTok Preacher To Deliver A Sermon](https://amishamerica.com/amish-community-invited-tiktok-preacher-deliver-sermon/): This story will make you do a double-take. At least, it did me. Last month, Amish in a community in Eaton County, Michigan invited a teenage social media preacher to deliver a sermon to their community. He ended up preaching to a group of over 100 people, from the Amish and other backgrounds. When I
- [Once-Amish Iowa Man Faces Second Round of Charges Over Unlicensed Clinic — Authorities Say Patients Were Injured & Died, While He Earned $887,000](https://amishamerica.com/once-amish-iowa-man-felony-charges-unlicensed-clinic/): A formerly Amish Iowa man is facing charges for the second time — including two felony counts — over an unlicensed rural health facility, which once drew many Amish customers. Authorities are now alleging that patients were injured and died, and that Eddie R. Gingerich collected hundreds of thousands of dollars running the operation. From
- [What Is the Plain Community Writers Workshop? Over 300 Amish and Plain Writers Just Attended in Berlin, Ohio](https://amishamerica.com/plain-community-writers-workshop/): Over 300 Amish and Plain community writers got together in Berlin, Ohio on March 13 and 14 for the Plain Community Writers Workshop — an event that has grown from a small home gathering five years ago into one of the more noteworthy literary happenings involving the Amish. The two-day event was held at Dayspring
- [This North Carolina Amish Home Has One Big Detail Not Seen in 99% Of Amish Homes (31 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-north-carolina-amish-home-one-rare-detail-31-photos/): Here's an Amish home in a location you might not expect: Hamptonville, North Carolina (Yadkin County). North Carolina has just two Amish settlements in the entire state. One of them, commonly known as the Union Grove community (about 45 minutes west of Winston-Salem) has been around since 1985. I want to emphasize that this is
- [An Amish Family Was Tearing Down A Home To Replace It When The Roof Collapsed. A Man Was Pinned Underneath & Has Died](https://amishamerica.com/amish-family-tearing-down-home-roof-collapse-man-dies/): An Amish family in Juniata County, Pennsylvania was involved in an incident Wednesday while dismantling a trailer home. A roof collapsed, pinning a man underneath. This accident was first reported two days ago, with relatively few details. Now a fresh report informs us that the man pinned under the structure has died. From WGAL: WALKER
- [The Amish Call It a Frolic. For This Young Family, It Meant Dozens of Helping Hands](https://amishamerica.com/amish-frolic-helping-hands/): After last week's story of an Amish neighbor unexpectedly returning a favor, Haley Straw returns with a story in a similar vein. Only this time the favor is of the "pay-it-forward" variety - and on a much larger scale. Snuggled warm in bed, hoping to catch up on sleep, my phone rang interrupting a sweet
- [Van Driver Speaks After Crash That Killed Four Amish Men — While Semi Driver’s Attorneys State: “We Do Not Believe A Crime Occurred”](https://amishamerica.com/van-driver-speaks-indiana-amish-crash-semi-driver-charged-reckless-homicide/): It has been three months since the devastating February 3rd crash in Jay County, Indiana that killed four members of the local Amish community. The crash drew national attention to the question of "chameleon carriers" in the shipping industry. Since the tragedy, there have been several significant developments — including that the semi driver has
- [Why the Amish and English Need Each Other — As One Rural County Discovered](https://amishamerica.com/why-amish-and-english-need-each-other/): A recent piece by Marjorie Struckle in Lancaster Farming does a good job profiling something that, across the nearly 700 Amish settlements in North America, I suspect is not too uncommon — a rural community where the Amish and their non-Amish neighbors have built something genuinely mutual. The setting is Otsego County in central New
- [County Spent Hundreds of Thousands on Roads — Amish Traffic Is Damaging Them “Almost Immediately”](https://amishamerica.com/county-spent-hundreds-of-thousands-on-roads-amish-traffic-damaging-them-almost-immediately/): According to local officials,Amish traffic in Branch County, Michigan has been destroying roads - despite the county spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to maintain them. And unlike in other cases, this goes beyond standard buggy traffic. From the Coldwater Daily Reporter: [Manager Jay] Miller said that despite hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on
- [Three-Year-Old Amish Boy Airlifted After Being Run Over By Planter](https://amishamerica.com/amish-boy-airlifted-run-over-planter-centre-county-pennsylvania/): A three-year-old Amish boy was seriously injured yesterday afternoon after being run over by a horse-drawn planter on a farm in Centre County, Pennsylvania, as reported by WTAJ. Pennsylvania State Police say the accident happened Monday on Brush Valley Road in Rebersburg. The Daily Voice notes that emergency crews treated the child at the scene
- [SUV Driver Distracted by Sunglasses Hits Amish Buggy in Ohio; Man Killed, 10-Year-Old Airlifted](https://amishamerica.com/suv-driver-distracted-sunglasses-amish-buggy-crash-ohio/): A rear-end crash involving an SUV and a buggy carrying three people in Logan County, Ohio has left one Amish man dead, and two others (likely his sons) hospitalized with critical injuries. From the report at Peak of Ohio: A Saturday morning crash involving an SUV and an Amish buggy has left one man dead
- [I Grew Up Riding in a Buggy — These Are the Amish Vehicles You Don't See Every Day](https://amishamerica.com/grew-up-riding-buggy-amish-vehicles-you-dont-see-every-day/): We're back with Part 3, the final part of our conversation with Don Burke and Laura Graber on Amish horse-drawn transport in Jamesport, Missouri. In Part 1, Don and Laura covered the smallest and largest vehicles on the road — from pony carts to draft horse wagons. In Part 2, they moved to the three
- ["We're Very Grateful": West Virginia Amish Man Goes On Camera To Thank Locals For Support As New Store Opens](https://amishamerica.com/amish-man-opens-country-store-in-west-virginia-thanks-locals-for-supporting-his-family/): West Virginia has been a "hotspot" Amish state for some time now. Since 2017, a dozen new Amish communities have arisen in the Mountain State. One of them is in Monroe County, WV. The county, in fact, has two very small communities. In one of them, an Amish entrepreneur named Jeff Miller and his family
- [New From Ben & Rose: "Lonely Tombs"](https://amishamerica.com/ben-and-rose-lonely-tombs/): It's been about a month since their last release, but Ben and Rose are back with a new song just out this afternoon. After covering a contemporary Christian song in "Mighty To Save", the Amish-roots couple shift back to country music, striking a somber chord with this cover of a song popularized by Hank Williams
- [I Never Expected a Favor Returned. My Amish Neighbor Had Other Plans](https://amishamerica.com/amish-neighbor-favor-returned/): Author and Amish taxi driver Haley Straw is back to share a new story - of an Amish neighbor who remembered a kindness - and made sure to pay it back, in his own way. The gravel crunched under my tires as I pulled into the pasture, the old ticket booth still sitting where it
- [Amish Man, 25, Killed on Bicycle at 3 AM — Allegedly Had No Lights, Riding in Middle of the Passing Lane](https://amishamerica.com/amish-man-killed-bicycle-no-lights-3-am-missouri/): A young Amish man in the Seymour, Missouri community was tragically killed Sunday in a frankly head-scratching set of circumstances. He was struck while riding his bicycle in the very early hours of the morning - reportedly without lights and traveling on a highway in the middle of the passing lane. From the report at
- [These Amish Firefighters Ride Tractors to Calls — and Saved $600,000 Building Their Own Station](https://amishamerica.com/amish-firefighters-ride-tractors-calls-saved-600000-building-fire-station/): When a call comes into Ripley County, Indiana 911 and New Marion Volunteer Fire Department responds, the scene that follows isn't one you'd see at most departments. Amish firefighters arrive from the surrounding countryside — on tractors. Their non-Amish crewmates climb into the fire vehicles and drive. Then everyone pulls on the same gear, follows
- [This 6-Bedroom Indiana Amish Home Is Missing One Big Thing (22 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/6-bedroom-indiana-amish-home-missing-one-big-thing-22-photos/): A 6-bedroom Amish home in Vevay, Indiana (Switzerland County) has been up for sale online since last month. Like nearly all Amish homes, this one is not plugged in to the public electric grid. That's not what we're talking about in the title - the missing piece is something else entirely. We'll get to that.
- [I Grew Up Riding in a Buggy — The Differences Between 3 Common Types](https://amishamerica.com/grew-up-riding-buggy-three-amish-buggy-types-differences/): We're back with Part 2 of 3 of our conversation with Don Burke and Laura Graber on Amish horse-drawn transport in Jamesport, Missouri. In Part 1, Don and Laura covered the smallest and largest vehicles on the road — from pony carts to draft horse wagons and the church wagon. Here in Part 2, they
- [New From Mike & Marty: "Go Rest High On That Mountain"](https://amishamerica.com/mike-and-marty-go-rest-high-on-that-mountain/): Nice new song just out from brother and sister duo Mike & Marty. "Go Rest High On That Mountain" is a song by country artist Vince Gill. This song gives me similar vibes to the duo's first studio song on YouTube, "Sing Me Back Home". It's a country tune with Christian themes, as you'll see
- [“We’ll Try To Build Back": Amish Help Fight Fire — But Missouri Variety Store Is A Total Loss (UPDATE: Days Later, The Store Is Already Going Back Up)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-variety-store-fire-total-loss-canton-missouri/): Despite Amish efforts to aid firefighters in extinguishing the blaze, a variety store in the Canton, Missouri Amish settlement burned to the ground yesterday evening. As reported by Michele McCormack in Muddy River News: LEWIS Co., Mo. — Just after 5 p.m. Thursday, a fire erupted at the Amish Variety Store along Highway 81 just
- [Father Was At Church At Time Of Amish Home Explosion; Mother & 6 Children Laid To Rest Today](https://amishamerica.com/amish-home-explosion-father-at-church-mother-6-children-laid-to-rest/): We have more details this week following Sunday's deadly explosion and fire at an Amish home in Clinton County, Pennsylvania, which killed mother Sarah Stoltzfus, 34, and her six children, aged 2 to 11. We've also got information at bottom on how to help. Amish community member David Stoltzfus is the husband and father. It's
- [Amish Retreat Leader Faces Seven New Charges — Including Manslaughter in Death of 6-Month-Old — And Kidnapping](https://amishamerica.com/amish-retreat-leader-7-new-charges-manslaughter-infant-death-kidnapping/): Missouri Amish retreat leader Sam Shetler has seen the number of charges against him grow following a court appearance yesterday - with some quite serious ones joining the list. In addition to prior trafficking and sodomy charges, he now faces counts of kidnapping and even involuntary manslaughter, regarding the death of a baby. More details
- [Pickup Driver Hits Buggy Full Of Amish Teens & Flees — Leaving Two Seriously Injured And A Dead Horse (UPDATED)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-buggy-pickup-truck-hit-run-teens-injured-dead-horse/): A buggy carrying Amish youth was hit by a pickup truck late Friday night in Geauga County, Ohio, causing serious injuries to at least two Amish teens. Unfortunately, the young driver of the pickup did not see fit to stop and help the occupants of the buggy he'd just hit. Instead, after freeing his truck
- [Amish Mother & 6 Children Killed In Home Explosion And Fire](https://amishamerica.com/amish-mother-6-children-killed-home-explosion-fire/): A devastating explosion and fire has taken the lives of seven people in a Clinton County, Pennsylvania Amish community - six of them young children. This is the third explosion at an Amish home or school we've covered here in the past month. And if bad news comes in threes, this is by far the
- [I Grew Up Riding in a Buggy — Here's What All Those Amish Vehicles Are For](https://amishamerica.com/grew-up-riding-buggy-amish-vehicles-explained/): In today's post - part 1 of 3 - Don Burke and Laura Graber take us into the world of Amish horse-drawn transport. Together they look at photos Don has taken over the years in the Jamesport, Missouri Amish community, showing various horse-powered vehicles used by the Amish. Laura, who grew up Amish (and recently
- [An Amish Organic Farm & House Just Listed For $1.42 Million — Electricity Not Included (28 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-organic-farm-house-million-electricity-not-included-28-photos/): An Amish organic dairy farm in the perfectly-named New Holstein, Wisconsin just listed for $1,420,000 — and no, as you might expect, electricity is not included. This is one of the highest-priced Amish properties we've covered in this series. We did recently see a $1.5 million Amish farmstead in Kentucky. Pricewise, this Wisconsin property is
- [Young Amish Woman "Critically Injured", Airlifted After Car Rear-Ends Buggy — But Horse Left Unharmed](https://amishamerica.com/amish-buggy-crash-woman-critically-injured-horse-unharmed/): Two Amish people were hurt - one critically - in a wreck which left the horse standing remarkably unharmed. This happened late Sunday night in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. No ages are given in this report - just a "young Amish woman", and an "Amish man". It describes how the buggy the pair were riding in
- [Close Call For Amish Mom And Baby as Barn Explodes in Ohio](https://amishamerica.com/amish-barn-explosion-geauga-county-ohio-close-call/): It's been a bad couple of weeks for explosions in Amish buildings. Following the Amish schoolhouse explosion in northwestern PA, yesterday a barn and workshop were destroyed in an explosion and fire at an Amish property in Geauga County, Ohio. The cause was reportedly a propane gas leak. A caller reported a "hissing" noise coming
- [2-Year-Old Amish Boy Dies After Falling Into Septic Tank](https://amishamerica.com/two-year-old-amish-boy-dies-septic-tank-accident/): Just an awful story out of the New Wilmington, Pennsylvania Amish community. A two-year-old boy has died, after falling into an open septic tank. From New Castle News: The Lawrence County Coroner’s Office and state police investigated the drowning death of a 2-year-old Amish boy who reportedly fell into an open septic tank Saturday. The
- [For The First Time In A Century, The Amish Now Live In This Southern State](https://amishamerica.com/amish-new-southern-state-settlement/): We often think of the Amish as living in the Midwest, and states like Pennsylvania. But Amish communities in the South are nothing new. States like Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee have seen their Amish populations grow robustly in recent decades. However, there's one part of the South that the Amish have (for whatever reason) not
- [Two Weeks After Pennsylvania Amish School Explosion, Here's How the Three Girls Are Doing](https://amishamerica.com/amish-school-explosion-pennsylvania-three-girls-condition-update/): We've got a new update following the March 27 explosion at the Spartansburg, Pennsylvania Amish school which left three girls seriously injured. Two of the girls were aged 6 and 11, and are students at the school, while the third girl, age 17, is their teacher. We learn in the update (shared in full below)
- [Remember Those Puppies Stolen from a Lancaster Amish Farm? One Year Later, A Suspect Has Been Charged](https://amishamerica.com/labradoodle-puppies-stolen-amish-farm-lancaster-county-suspect-charged/): Last April, we learned of the theft of five Labradoodle puppies from an Amish farm in Lancaster County. Someone had slipped into the barn under cover of night, taken the pups — and also made off with the owner's "black box" phone and a piece of paper. At the time, police were investigating, and a
- [A Rare Deep South Amish Homestead for Sale: 54 Acres, No Bathrooms — And a Furniture Shop (24 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/rare-deep-south-amish-homestead-mississippi-no-bathrooms-furniture-shop-24-photos/): Here's something you don't come across every day — an Amish homestead for sale in Mississippi. The Randolph community in Pontotoc County is one of only two Amish settlements in the entire Deep South. It was founded in 1995, primarily by settlers from the community at Ethridge, Tennessee — and close ties between the two
- [This Little Amish Food Stand on a Maryland Back Road Is Worth Pulling Over For (24 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/kuntry-korners-amish-produce-stand-maryland-24-photos/): If you've followed my stops through the Somerset County, Pennsylvania Amish settlement these past several months - starting at the charming backroad bakery, stopping in at the tiny farm stand, and on to the hidden variety store - we now come to the final Amish business I visited on this wintry mid-December day. And I
- [One Month After an Amish Man Was Killed on an E-Bike, Holmes County Faces a Problem With No Easy Fix](https://amishamerica.com/following-deadly-accident-holmes-county-amish-e-bike-safety-no-easy-fix/): In early March, an Amish man named Jason Yoder, age 30, was killed in a chain-reaction crash on a Holmes County, Ohio highway while riding an e-bike. The accident - which also left a Good Samaritan in critical condition - has put the spotlight back on safety concerns over the e-bike. As we've covered before,
- [20 Years After The Nickel Mines Amish School Shooting, the Shooter's Wife Reflects on The Forgiveness That Changed Her Life](https://amishamerica.com/nickel-mines-amish-school-shooting-20-years-shooters-wife-reflects-forgiveness/): This year will mark the 20th anniversary of the Nickel Mines school shootings, in which five Amish girls were killed, and another five wounded (with a sixth girl passing away years later due to long-term effects of her injuries). BBC Radio 4 has done a program looking back at the incident, and including comments from
- [76% of Cause-Reported Amish Buggy Crashes Are The Fault of Car Drivers, New Study Finds](https://amishamerica.com/amish-buggy-crashes-46-percent-car-drivers-fault/): A new report draws attention to a study which found that over 46% of crashes in the study set were caused by "motor vehicle driver error." Update: That is in all likelihood under-reporting the percentage, as Walter Boomsma points out in the first comment below. Headline has been accordingly updated, and hat-tip to Walter, who
- [Horse Killed When Pickup Attempts To Pass Amish Buggy Turning Left](https://amishamerica.com/amish-buggy-horse-killed-pickup-passing-gallia-county-ohio/): An Amish buggy horse lost its life. But fortunately no people were hurt. It's a sad case and raises some questions. But I suppose the people involved also have to count their blessings, for it could have been far worse. This incident happened in Gallia County, Ohio on Friday evening. First, from the report at
- [Ben & Rose: "Mighty to Save"](https://amishamerica.com/ben-and-rose-song-mighty-to-save/): Ben and Rose have released a song in time for Easter. This is a more contemporary tune, called "Mighty to Save", originally written and performed by members of Hillsong Church. The description reads: "Ben & Rose sing "Mighty to Save" written by Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan celebrating Resurrection Day!" This one has a bit
- [An Amish Home for $180,000: Three Bedrooms, No Bathrooms, and an Exterior Canned Goods Pantry (20 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-amish-home-for-180000-no-bathrooms-20-photos/): Here we have an "ultra-basic" Amish home in the Swartzentruber community at Cynthiana, Kentucky (Harrison County). It's a small, very plain Amish community of under 100 people, and it looks like one of the families here is selling their home and moving away. As in a lot of cases, in these smaller communities Amish will
- [Amish Birder Spots Rare Sage Thrasher For First Time Ever In Ohio](https://amishamerica.com/amish-birder-sage-thrasher-first-ohio-sighting/): If you're a birder in Ohio, this might qualify as the most exciting thing you've heard all week. I'm not a birder, but I still find this story neat - for a few reasons. First, what is a sage thrasher? What was it doing all the way in Ohio, when its habitat is much further
- [Sam Shetler in Court: Wants Church Approval Before Hiring a Lawyer](https://amishamerica.com/sam-shetler-court-appearance-church-approval-lawyer/): Sam Shetler of Mercy and Truth retreat made his first court appearance Tuesday. The Amish man who led the Cooper County, Missouri retreat center was arrested March 25th, and faces charges of trafficking and sodomy. Shetler appeared by video feed, with a number of attendees including Amish people in the courtroom. In this appearance, we
- [She Was First On Scene At The Amish School Explosion. Here's What She Found — And How The Girls Are Doing](https://amishamerica.com/amish-school-explosion-first-on-scene-girls-update/): The first person on the scene of last week's explosion and fire at a Pennsylvania Amish school gives an account of what she found. We also get an update on how the girls are doing. Here's the latest from yourerie.com: Kelsey Bova was the first on scene after a fire broke out at the Hidden
- [Before Phoenix Was A Major City, A Breakaway Amish Group Made It Their Home – Then Came To A Strange End](https://amishamerica.com/amish-settlement-phoenix-arizona/): "A very unlikely place for Amish farmers to settle, yet they did." That's how David Luthy introduces one of the unlikeliest settlements in Amish history in his book The Amish in America: Settlements That Failed, 1840-1960. Today, Phoenix, Arizona is one of the largest cities in the United States — a sprawling desert metropolis with
- ["I've Always Wanted to Pay That Back": How Nebraska Ranchers Helped the Amish After A Major Wildfire](https://amishamerica.com/how-nebraska-ranchers-helped-amish-after-wildfire/): Following the wildfire which hit the Amish in the "middle of nowhere", a non-Amish father and son found they could relate to the community's loss. And that motivated them to donate their time, energy and resources to helping out one particularly hard-hit Amish family in Cherry County, Nebraska. From News Channel Nebraska: KILGORE, Neb. -
- [Official Cause & Victim Ages Released in Amish School Explosion That Burned Three Girls in Pennsylvania](https://amishamerica.com/official-cause-victim-ages-amish-school-explosion-fire-pennsylvania/): A new report at the Erie Times-News confirms the official cause of Friday's fire and explosion at an Amish school in Crawford County, PA, which left three young girls with serious burns. The ages of the victims have also been released. The cause of the fire was as reported earlier as the wrong sort of
- [Amish Man Who Led "Mercy & Truth Retreat" in Missouri Arrested on Trafficking and Sodomy Charges](https://amishamerica.com/amish-leader-mercy-truth-retreat-missouri-arrested-trafficking-sodomy/): A very disturbing story out of Missouri. An Amish man named Sam Shetler, leader of a Plain community "retreat", has been arrested following a multi-year investigation. Accounts describe appalling behaviors — including extreme control over the young people entrusted to his care, to the level of physical and even sexual abuse. Shetler is now in
- [Three Amish Girls Airlifted After School Explosion and Fire](https://amishamerica.com/three-amish-girls-airlifted-school-explosion-fire/): A tragedy has struck an Amish community in northwestern Pennsylvania as an explosion at a schoolhouse set the building on fire this morning - leaving three Amish girls badly burned. (Story updated below) The Amish school is located in the Spartansburg, Pennsylvania community, and appears to have burned to the ground. The girls were believed
- [A Solar-Powered Amish Barndominium? Here's What It Looks Like Inside (19 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/solar-powered-amish-barndominium-inside-19-photos/): Jim Halverson sends along this week's Amish home - and it's quite a contrast to what we looked at last week. Where that Maine Amish home without plumbing epitomized a plain Amish way of living, this week's solar-powered barndominium in Millersburg, Indiana showcases an Amish lifestyle strikingly different - and you could certainly say more
- [What Is The "Church Builders" Conference? Over 700 Amish People Just Attended In Shipshewana](https://amishamerica.com/church-builders-conference-amish-shipshewana/): In today's guest post, Timothy L. Price (who previously gave us a look at the Amish in the "middle of nowhere") shares his account of a recent Amish conference in northern Indiana, and his main takeaways from the event. The 2nd Church Builders Conference in Shipshewana, Indiana was put on by Old Order Amish from
- [26-Year-Old Amish Man Dead After SUV Rear-Ends Buggy on Missouri Highway](https://amishamerica.com/26-year-old-amish-man-killed-buggy-crash-missouri-highway/): A tragic Amish buggy wreck in Randolph County, Missouri happened yesterday. The victims were 20, 26 and 75 years old. The 26 year-old-man was killed, and the 20-year-old woman had to be airlifted with serious injuries. A 75-year-old woman in the buggy had only minor injuries. As reported at KTTN: A Randolph County crash involving
- [Why This Amish Bakery In Jamesport, Missouri Is A Must-Stop — Fresh Pies, Breads & A Behind-the-Scenes Look (25 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/jamesport-missouri-amish-bakery-must-stop-fresh-pies-breads-behind-the-scenes-25-photos/): For those who have kept track of my posts over the years you have likely noticed my particular fondness for the Jamesport, Missouri Amish community. I suppose many elements have factored into that. While not quite close enough for a day trip from my home, it is close enough for a good visit even if
- [Ben & Rose Short: "This World Is Not My Home"](https://amishamerica.com/ben-and-rose-short-this-world-is-not-my-home/): "I can't feel at home in this world anymore." It's a sentiment that resonates with a lot of us, at times stronger than at others, I suspect. That is one of the best-known lines from "This World Is Not My Home". And Ben and Rose are back to tease another upcoming (I assume) production, with
- [Zoloft, Holistic Treatments, A Possible Genetic Disorder: Experts Piece Together What Drove Amish Mother's Deadly Breakdown](https://amishamerica.com/zoloft-holistic-treatments-possible-genetic-disorder-experts-piece-together-amish-mother-deadly-breakdown/): News came out a little over a week ago that Ruth Miller would be committed to a psychiatric hospital following a not guilty by insanity verdict in the death of her 4-year-old son Vincen. A follow-up report at Farm and Dairy draws attention to the expert testimony provided leading up to Judge Michael Ernest's decision
- [An Amish Winter Trip Gone Wrong (Part 7): Small Mercies](https://amishamerica.com/an-amish-winter-trip-gone-wrong-part-7-small-mercies/): Author Haley Straw returns today with part 7 (of 8 parts) of a new winter-themed series, drawing on one of her more challenging experiences as an Amish taxi driver. Part 1 is here, part 2 here, part 3 here, part 4 here, and part 5 here, and part 6 here if you missed them. Everyone’s hard work and patience paid
- [Five Months After Hit-and-Run Killed a Horse and Left An Amish Rider With Two Broken Legs, Driver Faces Charges](https://amishamerica.com/amish-buggy-hit-and-run-horse-killed-broken-legs-driver-faces-charges/): You can run, but there's a good chance they'll catch you. Drivers in hit-and-run buggy wrecks keep finding out that hard truth. The latest (allegedly) to do so comes to us from Nicholas County, Kentucky. The crash happened this past October, with the driver's vehicle, a Dodge Ram pickup, being found shortly after. The accident
- [New From Mike & Marty: "Coat Of Many Colors"](https://amishamerica.com/mike-and-marty-song-coat-of-many-colors-dolly-parton/): We've got another new tune from Mike & Marty, this one a Dolly Parton classic - "Coat of Many Colors". Not having any other paper at hand, Parton famously wrote the lyrics to this song down on a dry cleaning receipt while on tour in 1969. This is a favorite song of many. The coat
- [Inside A Charming Pint-Sized Amish Home in Maine — With No Plumbing and a Hand Pump at the Kitchen Sink (29 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-charming-pint-sized-amish-home-maine-no-plumbing-hand-pump-kitchen-sink-29-photos/): This Amish home in Jefferson, Maine (Lincoln County) is very traditional - no public electricity of course, but also no plumbing. But despite what sounds like a very basic setup, it is cozy and cute as a button, inside and out. One reason I call it "cute as a button" is its charming interior. This
- [Four Men Indicted in "Appalling" Assault & Robbery at Amish Home (UPDATE: Could Face Over 50 Years in Prison | UPDATE #2: Ringleader Pleads Guilty)](https://amishamerica.com/four-men-indicted-in-appalling-assault-robbery-at-amish-home/): March 2026 Update: "Ringleader" Bradford Hosler has now pleaded guilty to two counts as part of a plea deal. Full update at bottom of post. October brought news of an "appalling" attack upon an Amish family in Geauga County, Ohio. In it, an Amish man was brutally assaulted, and the culprits even attempted to abduct
- [Breaking the Silence: Lizzie Hershberger’s Journey from Survivor to Advocate](https://amishamerica.com/breaking-the-silence-lizzie-hershbergers-journey-from-survivor-to-advocate/): Lizzie Hershberger grew up Amish in Minnesota. She is the subject of a new documentary called Keep Quiet and Forgive, which premieres nationally on PBS' Independent Lens on March 23. In today's post, author Haley Straw shares how she met Lizzie, more on her story, and what she hopes to achieve. Lizzie Hershberger didn’t expect
- [Criminal Complaint: Driver's Phone Showed 18 Downloaded TikTok Videos Around Time Of Fatal Buggy Crash](https://amishamerica.com/criminal-complaint-suggests-driver-tiktok-fatal-buggy-crash/): Last August, Clark County, Wisconsin saw a tragic buggy wreck, which claimed the life of an Amish man and seriously injured a 12-year-old Amish child Now, charges have been filed: the driver faces homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle, and reckless driving causing great bodily harm. Details have also emerged that shed light on
- [Step Inside A Hidden Amish Variety Store Full Of Things You Won't Find At Walmart (35 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-hidden-amish-variety-store-things-you-wont-find-at-walmart-35-photos/): On my recent visit to the Amish community in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, I of course made sure to visit a lot of Amish businesses. And I had one in mind in particular - a certain variety store that I remembered fondly from my last trip to the settlement - over a decade earlier. Variety stores
- [Man Who Fled Deadly Amish Buggy Crash Pleads Guilty — Manslaughter Charge Dropped](https://amishamerica.com/amish-teen-hit-run-driver-pleads-guilty-manslaughter-dropped/): Last November, 16-year-old Elmer Borntrager lost his life when he was hit by a car while driving a buggy in his Clarke County, Iowa community. Elmer was left behind on the road by the driver, who fled the scene. Authorities later located the man they believed was behind the wheel - 41-year-old Jacob Wright, who
- [Nebraska Is Fighting Four Major Wildfires — One Just Hit An Amish Community "In The Middle Of Nowhere"](https://amishamerica.com/nebraska-four-wildfires-amish-community-middle-of-nowhere/): While you might not know it given the prevalence of other news stories, the biggest wildfire in Nebraska history is currently raging, having claimed close to 600,000 acres since March 12th. One report from yesterday says it continues to burn out of control. And it's actually worse than that sounds - because in addition to
- [I Taught in an Amish School at Age 16 — What a Typical Day Was Really Like](https://amishamerica.com/taught-amish-school-age-16-typical-day-really-like/): We're back today with Part 2 of our interview with Laura Graber, who was raised Amish, and taught in an Amish school for four years - starting at age 16. In Part 1, Laura shared how she was able to manage eight grades in one room, and how Amish teachers are chosen, among other topics.
- [Judge Rules Amish Mother Ruth Miller Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity In Son’s Drowning Death](https://amishamerica.com/judge-rules-amish-mother-ruth-miller-not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity/): Judge Michael Ernest delivered his verdict this morning in Tuscarawas County, Ohio Common Pleas Court in the case of Ruth Miller, charged with aggravated murder in the drowning death of her 4-year-old son, Vincen. Judge Ernest found Miller not guilty by reason of insanity, following her waiving of a jury trial last week. From WKYC:
- [Who Is Ivan Miller? New Details On The Man Raised Amish Charged In Killings Of Three Utah Women](https://amishamerica.com/ivan-miller-raised-amish-utah-killings-three-women/): This is not a breaking news story, and many of you have probably heard of it by now. A 22-year-old man named Ivan Miller, who grew up in an Amish family, is charged with murdering three women in a "killing spree" in Utah. The killings were done seemingly at random, allegedly so he could acquire
- [Ben & Rose: "Hold Fast To The Right" (Full Song)](https://amishamerica.com/ben-and-rose-hold-fast-to-the-right-full-song/): Not quite a month ago, we got Ben and Rose's short preview version of "Hold Fast to the Right", a 120-year-old hymn. About that, one commenter wrote “I have not hear this song in 70+ years—what a joy to now hear it again!” Now the duo have just today released the full studio version. So
- [Amish Mother Ruth Miller Committed To Psychiatric Hospital In Son’s Drowning Case](https://amishamerica.com/amish-mother-ruth-miller-committed-psychiatric-hospital/): Ruth Miller appeared in court as scheduled today following last week's not guilty by reason of insanity verdict in the drowning death of her 4-year-old son, Vincen. Having reviewed the expert reports and testimony, Judge Michael Ernest decided Miller's placement in a mental health facility near Miller's home community. From WKYC: NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio —
- [An Amish Winter Trip Gone Wrong (Part 8): The Cost of Saying Yes](https://amishamerica.com/an-amish-winter-trip-gone-wrong-part-8-the-cost-of-saying-yes/): Author Haley Straw returns today with the final part - 8 of 8 - of a new winter-themed series, drawing on one of her more challenging experiences as an Amish taxi driver. Part 1 is here, part 2 here, part 3 here, part 4 here, and part 5 here, part 6 here, and part 7 here if you missed them.
- [Horse Killed After Amish Buggy Crash Sends It Into Traffic](https://amishamerica.com/horse-killed-amish-buggy-crash-new-wilmington-traffic/): Very sad for this horse, though fortunately the Amish woman driving the buggy was not injured. This happened Monday in the New Wilmington, Pennsylvania Amish community. From NCNewsonline: A New Wilmington man has been cited for his involvement in a three-vehicle accident that involved an Amish horse and buggy in Wilmington Township on Monday. The
- [Amish Instagram Influencer "Melanskia" Isn’t Real — But 300,000 People Follow Her Health Advice](https://amishamerica.com/instagram-amish-influencer-melanskia-not-real/): The Amish woman you see in the above Instagram screen-grab is not real. But you'd be forgiven for thinking that she is. That's how effective AI video-generation has gotten in a relatively fast time. Some profitable businesses have been created around AI personas. "Melanskia" is one of them. An article in the New York Times
- [After Fire Destroys Idaho Amish Family’s Market, Dozens Show Up The Next Morning To Help](https://amishamerica.com/fire-destroys-idaho-amish-market-community-helps/): Two weeks after a devastating fire that wiped out a beloved Idaho Amish market, there is some good news. As expected, the community has rallied behind the Amish owners, the Paul Miller family. East Idaho News reports on the cleanup efforts, and shares some words from Paul and the Baker Country Market in Lemhi County.
- [An Amish Winter Trip Gone Wrong (Part 6): Stuck](https://amishamerica.com/an-amish-winter-trip-gone-wrong-part-6-stuck/): Author Haley Straw returns today with part 6 of a new winter-themed series, drawing on one of her more challenging experiences as an Amish taxi driver. Part 1 is here, part 2 here, part 3 here, part 4 here, and part 5 here if you missed them. We should have been home by then. Instead, we were still chasing
- [Propane Tank Explodes After Amish Woman Lights Heater, Blows Wall Off Phone Booth](https://amishamerica.com/propane-tank-explosion-amish-woman-heater-phone-booth/): Fortunately, the Amish woman was okay. But it had to be a scary experience - and a reminder of the dangers of certain fuels commonly used by Amish for light and heat. This happened in the Bloomfield, Iowa Amish settlement. It appeared in a brief report at the Bloomfield Democrat: A busy week of fire
- [Idaho Amish Family Devastated After Fire Destroys $1.2 Million Market (Update: Owners Were Burning Material Near The Store)](https://amishamerica.com/idaho-amish-family-market-fire-1-2-million-loss/): Since 2012, there has been a small Amish community in Lemhi County, Idaho - one of the westernmost Amish locations, and the Gem State's only Amish presence. This community has perhaps been best known by its Baker Country Market, owned and run by the Paul Miller family. The market has gotten media attention on several
- [Two Amish Children Killed After Pickup Truck Hits Buggy in Northern Indiana (UPDATE: Children Identified)](https://amishamerica.com/two-amish-children-killed-pickup-truck-buggy-northern-indiana/): Awful news of a deadly crash Friday in Indiana's largest Amish settlement. The buggy was rear-ended by a pickup truck, on a road which appears to have a wide buggy lane (more on that below). Details on what happened from WSBT: ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. (WSBT) — A crash on State Road 4 killed two children
- [An Amish Winter Trip Gone Wrong (Part 5): The Storm](https://amishamerica.com/an-amish-winter-trip-gone-wrong-part-5-the-storm/): Author Haley Straw returns today with part 5 of a new winter-themed series, drawing on one of her more challenging experiences as an Amish taxi driver. Part 1 is here, part 2 here, part 3 here and part 4 here if you missed them. My body knew it before my mind caught up. Face pale. Hands
- [10 Bedrooms, No Bathrooms: Inside A $1.5 Million Amish Farmstead (47 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-10-bedroom-farm-no-bathrooms-47-photos/): We recently looked at an eight-bedroom Amish home with just one bathroom - which I imagine many found to be an extreme bedroom-to-bathroom ratio. But this Owingsville, Kentucky Amish property one-ups that one - having a whopping 10 bedrooms - but no bathroom whatsoever (outhouse is what they'd use). There are one or two caveats
- [Amish Man, 30, Killed Riding E-Bike in Chain-Reaction Crash](https://amishamerica.com/amish-man-30-killed-e-bike-crash-holmes-county/): On my last visit to Holmes County, Ohio - December - I saw more e-bikes on the road than I did buggies, reflecting how popular they've become in America's second-largest Amish community. These are very handy for getting around in this hilly area. But safety is an issue with a vehicle that can reach speeds
- [I Taught in an Amish School at Age 16 — Here’s How We Managed 8 Grades in One Room](https://amishamerica.com/taught-amish-one-room-school-age-16-how-managed-eight-grades/): In past posts we’ve seen the layout and details of Amish schools. In today’s post we focus not so much of the rooms or the buildings, but upon life in and around the schoolhouse. To help us navigate through this we have Laura Graber, who has been featured here as the bride in the "Amish-ish" Wedding posts.
- [This State Could Seize Homeowners' Land to Build An Amish Buggy Lane - and Residents Say They're Being Ignored](https://amishamerica.com/state-could-seize-land-amish-buggy-lane-residents-ignored/): There is a plan to build a buggy lane on U.S. 6, a highway in the Nappanee, Indiana settlement. But residents of Bremen, a town in the community, say their concerns are being ignored as the plan moves forward, seemingly full speed ahead. The Indiana Department of Transportation apparently promised residents "open houses" to discuss
- [The Most Dangerous Job in America Claims the Life of a 29-Year-Old Kentucky Amish Man](https://amishamerica.com/most-dangerous-job-america-kills-29-year-old-kentucky-amish-man/): Logging workers have the highest fatality rate of any civilian job in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The profession sees 110.4 fatalities per 100,000 workers - a rate more than double that of roofing (the third-deadliest occupation) and over 33 times higher than the national average for all workers. Amish in
- [Inside a 3,000-Square-Foot Amish Farmhouse on 38 Acres — With Just an Outhouse (29 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/3000-square-foot-amish-farmhouse-38-acres-outhouse/): Here's an interesting Amish property in Kentucky which stands out for several reasons. This is a sprawling cattle and horse farm in Metcalfe County, Kentucky - home, since the early 1990s, to an Amish community now over 250 people in size. The place is set on a hill and has some nice views of the
- [Sheriff’s Deputies Grabbed Hoses to Fight Amish Sawmill Blaze Before Fire Crews Arrived](https://amishamerica.com/sheriffs-deputies-grabbed-hoses-amish-sawmill-fire-new-york/): Sheriff's deputies in Montgomery County, New York showed up on the scene of a fully involved fire at an Amish sawmill yesterday morning. Fire crews had yet to arrive - so the two men, Lieutenant Justin Smith and Sergeant Luke Paine, had to act quickly. As it happened, one of them had firefighting training, and
- [In Virginia’s Largest Amish Community, A Small Amish Dairy Sells Ricotta, Cuajada & More (12 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/virginia-amish-dairy-queso-cuajada-cheese/): I had a chance to stop in at a new (for me at least) Amish cheese business in Virginia recently. New Sunrise Dairy is located in the Charlotte County, VA community - the state's largest Amish settlement - and got its start about three years ago. I had just visited this community last year, and
- [Amish Murder Case: Ruth Miller Waives Right To Jury Trial; Judge Will Deliver Verdict As Early As Next Tuesday](https://amishamerica.com/amish-murder-case-ruth-miller-waives-jury-trial-judge-verdict-next-tuesday/): I just finished watching the pre-trial hearing in the Ruth Miller case, intended to be the final hearing before her trial, which had been scheduled for March 4th. The big news from this is that Ruth has waived her right to a jury trial, instead opting for a bench trial. That means the judge in
- [New Details Emerge About Amish Mother Ruth Miller’s Alleged Delusions And Behavior Ahead of March Murder Trial](https://amishamerica.com/amish-mother-ruth-miller-alleged-delusions-murder-trial/): The trial date for Amish mother Ruth Miller, charged with aggravated murder in the death of her four-year-old son Vincen, is fast approaching. It's slated to begin in early March in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. A timely new report from People provides more back story and several disturbing details about what happened last August at Atwood
- [What’s the Deal With “Suddenly Amish”? 4 Key Questions Before the Premiere](https://amishamerica.com/suddenly-amish-4-key-questions/): You may have heard there is another Amish-themed TV program releasing soon - "Suddenly Amish" - on TLC. Here's the show summary: TLC’s all-new series SUDDENLY AMISH follows six non-Amish individuals on a rare journey as they leave behind their modern “English" lifestyle and step into a deeply traditional Amish community in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Seeking
- [New Song From Mike & Marty (Formerly Third Fret Harmony): "The Storms Are On The Ocean"](https://amishamerica.com/mike-and-marty-formerly-third-fret-harmony-song-the-storms-are-on-the-ocean/): A nice new song was recently released by brother and sister duo Mike and Marty Fisher. First a note on their name. We've known them til now as Third Fret Harmony - a group which also once included their sister Rose, of Ben & Rose. Mike has confirmed with me officially that yes, they have
- [9-Year-Old in Wheelchair Finally Hunts With His Dad Thanks to Amish Landowner](https://amishamerica.com/9-year-old-wheelchair-finally-hunts-with-dad-thanks-amish-landowner/): I found this story both surprising and not surprising. It was surprising to me in that I'd never heard of a deer stand for disabled hunters (though granted, I'm not a hunter myself, and it sounds like a good idea). It's not surprising in that a) many Amish people love hunting, and b) many Amish
- [New Ben & Rose Short: "Hold Fast To The Right"](https://amishamerica.com/ben-and-rose-short-hold-fast-to-the-right/): This new short from Ben & Rose is another old one - a hymn written in 1906 by James D. Vaughan called "Hold Fast To The Right". One commenter on YouTube writes "I have not hear this song in 70+ years—what a joy to now hear it again!" This 25-second clip is just a snippet
- [Inside a Snowy Amish Community in Rural Missouri (21 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/snowy-amish-community-rural-missouri/): How about a look-in at another off-the-beaten-path Amish settlement? This one is at Kahoka, Missouri, in the northeastern corner of the state. The photos here are all by Don Burke. The Kahoka community (Clark County) today is two church districts in size, with a little over 200 Amish residents. It's just one of over 60
- [Wisconsin Woman Leaves Amish Community, Starts Successful Bakery (UPDATE: Bakery Unexpectedly Closes; Miriam "Victim Of Domestic Violence")](https://amishamerica.com/wisconsin-woman-leaves-amish-community-starts-successful-bakery/): ~ February 2026 Update on Bakery's Closure & Miriam at Bottom ~ "I did not tell them I was leaving...I left them a note, and left." Miriam Lambright says that "looking outside, I was like - there's more there." Leaving her community meant "freedom." Miriam left the Amish seven years ago, at age 22. Her
- [Lancaster County Amish Schoolhouse Vandalized, Police Investigating](https://amishamerica.com/lancaster-county-amish-school-vandalized-police-investigating/): Details are scarce but the Daily Voice is reporting on an Amish school being broken into last month in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania: The burglary happened at a schoolhouse on Dry Wells Road in Bart Township on Sunday, Jan. 19 at 8:13 a.m., according to the release. Troopers from the Lancaster Patrol Unit responded to the
- [Customers Have to Pull a Rope for Service at This Tiny Amish Farm Stand (22 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/customers-pull-rope-service-amish-farm-stand-22-photos/): That little beige building in the photo below is West View Acres. It's a charming Amish-run farm stand located in Springs, Pennsylvania. This is in the venerable Somerset County Amish community. It's the country's second-oldest, where the Amish have lived for over 250 years. And on my recent visit here, I was reminded how the
- [New From Ben & Rose: "If I Needed You"](https://amishamerica.com/ben-and-rose-if-i-needed-you/): Ben and Rose return with their first full video in a little while. This one is called "If I Needed You". In contrast to some of their latest, this is a more contemporary song, written by Townes Van Zandt in 1972. I would call this an "upbeat ballad". Nice guitar playing and wonderful singing together
- [Blinding Sun Blamed After Amish Buggy Driver Injured in Missouri Crash](https://amishamerica.com/blinding-sun-blamed-after-amish-buggy-driver-injured-missouri-crash/): Many factors can come in to play when cars hit Amish buggies. In a wreck this morning in Schuyler County, Missouri, it appears that the sun was to blame. More details from KTVO: QUEEN CITY, Mo. — A two-vehicle crash in Schuyler County Friday morning injured the driver of a horse-drawn buggy. The Missouri State
- [Inside An 8-Bedroom Amish Home With Just 1 Bathroom (29 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-eight-bedroom-amish-home-just-one-bathroom-29-photos/): This week's Amish home, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, is a family home sitting on a 10-acre lot. And true to Amish form, the family is a big one - the house has a whopping eight bedrooms - but just one bathroom. More on that below. Here's the full description: Discover the perfect blend of craftsmanship, privacy,
- [An Amish Winter Trip Gone Wrong (Part 4): Overloaded and Overruled](https://amishamerica.com/an-amish-winter-trip-gone-wrong-part-4-overloaded-and-overruled/): Author Haley Straw returns today with part 4 of a new winter-themed series, drawing on one of her more challenging experiences as an Amish taxi driver. Part 1 is here, part 2 here, and part 3 here if you missed them. I was exhausted to the point of feeling loopy. The world felt distant – sounds dulled,
- [Building This New Amish School Will Cost $160,000](https://amishamerica.com/building-this-new-amish-school-will-cost-160000/): Amish schools in one Ohio community are all full - so the community is planning a new one. This brief report by Shawn Digity in the Zanesville Times Recorder reveals some details about what goes into building an Amish school - in this case in an Amish community in Muskingum County, OH. For one, the
- [Amish 4-Month-Old Hospitalized After Buggy Totaled in Ohio Crash](https://amishamerica.com/infant-hospitalized-amish-family-thrown-from-buggy-ohio-crash/): A four-month-old infant was ejected along with its parents in a buggy wreck February 10th in Ashland County, Ohio. Looking at the photos, the buggy can be described as pretty well destroyed. The infant was transported to hospital; the parents suffered only minor injuries. Ashland County Pictures provides reporting and images from the scene: ASHLAND
- [Detective: Family Knows Who Killed Amish Teen in 1969 — But Were "Sworn to Secrecy"](https://amishamerica.com/detective-amish-teen-1969-family-knows-killer-sworn-secrecy/): Less that two weeks ago, we learned that the Indiana State Police were seeking tips in an over 50-year-old case, in which an Amish youth was killed by a rock thrown into his buggy. Since that public call for assistance, tips have "poured in". Not only that, ISP Detective Jake Quick says “we have some
- [New Ben & Rose Short: "Stroll Over Heaven"](https://amishamerica.com/ben-and-rose-stroll-over-heaven-short-clip/): While we haven't gotten a full video in awhile, Ben and Rose have been pouring on the shorts lately. Their latest is "Stroll Over Heaven". This one is simply Ben playing guitar and singing with Rose in a 37-second clip (below). The simple description attached to the clip is "Ben and Rose work out 'Stroll
- [Two-Year-Old Amish Girl Dies in Lancaster County Tractor Accident](https://amishamerica.com/two-year-old-amish-girl-dies-lancaster-county-tractor-accident/): This one is just heartbreaking. A two-year-old Amish girl lost her life Saturday in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania after falling from a tractor. More from Lancaster Online: A 2-year-old Amish girl died after sustaining a head injury in a farming accident on Saturday in Upper Leacock Township, according to the Lancaster County Coroner’s Office. Sarann S.
- [6 Of The Most Ridiculous Things In "Suddenly Amish"](https://amishamerica.com/six-most-ridiculous-things-suddenly-amish/): "Suddenly Amish" is the latest in a line of Amish-themed reality programs, like its predecessors "Amish Mafia" or "Breaking Amish". You shouldn't have high expectations of these shows, though you can understand why they keep making them. In previous posts I gave you my biggest questions on the show. I also shared experts' criticism of
- [Semi Driver Taken Into ICE Custody in Fatal Crash That Killed Four Amish, Including Father and Two Sons (Updated)](https://amishamerica.com/semi-driver-ice-custody-fatal-crash-four-amish-father-two-sons/): The driver of the semi truck in Tuesday's fatal wreck, Bekzhan Beishekeev, has been transferred from local custody to federal custody. No charges have been filed as of now related to the wreck, which happened in Jay County, Indiana, and claimed four Amish lives. Rather, Beishekeev is being held separately by Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- [Inside An Amish Home With One Eyebrow-Raising Detail (17 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-amish-home-one-eyebrow-raising-detail-17-photos/): Today's Amish home is a "sister" to one we looked at back in November, in the same community in Lucas County, Iowa (Chariton). That one was described as a "Charming Farmstead" in the listing. This is a similarly-charming home. But there is one detail that would make someone scanning through these photos (but not reading
- [An Amish Winter Trip Gone Wrong (Part 3): Everything Starts Going Wrong](https://amishamerica.com/an-amish-winter-trip-gone-wrong-part-3-everything-starts-going-wrong/): Author Haley Straw returns today with part 3 of a new winter-themed series, drawing on one of her more challenging experiences as an Amish taxi driver. Part 1 is here and part 2 here, if you missed them. Luck is when preparedness meets opportunity. – Earl Nightingale We were living with my mother-in-law while building our house. By
- [Four Amish men killed after semi slams into “Amish taxi” van head-on](https://amishamerica.com/four-amish-men-killed-semi-truck-head-on-wreck/): Reports are out of a terrible accident yesterday in Jay County, Indiana. No news reports I've seen are actually identifying the victims as Amish - but I've been informed by a reliable source that this was in fact an "Amish taxi". An Amish taxi would be a vehicle with a non-Amish driver hired to drive
- [Amish Community Steps In to Help After Ashtabula County Home Destroyed by Fire (Ohio)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-community-helps-after-ashtabula-county-house-fire-ohio/): An Amish community in Ashtabula County, Ohio has apparently been making quick work of cleanup, after a community member lost their home in a devastating fire Monday. From the report at the Star Beacon: WILLIAMSFIELD TOWNSHIP — Debris from a fire that destroyed a two story home along Route 7 Monday was removed by Amish
- [Inside an Amish Ice Harvest: A Rare Look at a Timeless Tradition](https://amishamerica.com/inside-amish-ice-harvest-rare-look-timeless-tradition/): How do the Amish keep their food cold? That can vary, based on the community. But for Amish in some places - including one tiny New England community - the answer is good old-fashioned ice. A just-released piece in Down East Magazine explores the ice harvesting tradition in the young Amish settlement at Hiram, Maine
- [How One Amish Community Took Root in A Quiet Corner of Missouri](https://amishamerica.com/amish-community-takes-root-missouri/): In the most recent Amish population report, we learned that a total of nine new Amish communities had been started in the prior year. New Amish communities come together and grow in different ways. Some see much enthusiasm from the get-go, rapidly attracting new families, some or many of whom may be related. In contrast,
- [CAUGHT: Man Found & Charged in Hit-and-Run That Killed Amish 16-Year-Old (UPDATE: Wright Pleads Not Guilty; Commits Pretrial Violation By Using Drugs)](https://amishamerica.com/caught-man-found-and-charged-in-hit-and-run-that-killed-amish-16-year-old/): It's been a month since Amish teenager Elmer Borntrager lost his life on a Clarke County, Iowa backroad, killed when a driver struck his buggy and fled, leaving him to die on the roadside. A search for the vehicle operator ensued; several days later, his car was found. And now it's been reported that the
- [“I’m Truly Sorry”: Man Sentenced To Time Served & House Arrest for Amish Store Burglaries — and Burning Down a Church](https://amishamerica.com/man-sentenced-amish-store-burglaries-burning-down-church/): This past summer we learned that a man who had gone on a burglary spree, targeting several Amish businesses in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, had been caught a year after the crimes were committed. Along with three Amish stores, Harley Richard Redmond had broken into several non-Amish churches, burning one down in the process - and
- [Amish Teen Killed In Rock Attack: Police Seek Help In 1969 Cold Case](https://amishamerica.com/amish-teen-rock-attack-killing-1969-cold-case/): Indiana State Police announced today that they are seeking information in a cold case over half-a-century old - in which a 17-year-old Amish boy was killed when hit by a large rock thrown from a passing car. Mervin Lehman of LaGrange, Indiana died on March 22, 1969, after a rock entered the buggy he was
- [Inside A "Classic-Modern" Amish Home (26 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-classic-modern-indiana-amish-home-26-photos/): Today's Amish home is in Middlebury, Indiana (part of the large northern Indiana Amish settlement) and gives us a look at what life in a more materially progressive community looks like. There are a number of classic Amish accents in this home - combined with more modern ones as well. Together it creates the feel
- [New JPAC Issue Released (Volume 6, Issue 1): In Memoriam to Dave Luthy Plus Hutterites, Old Order Mennonites, Buggy Accidents and More](https://amishamerica.com/jpac-volume-6-issue-1-david-luthy-hutterites-old-order-mennonites-buggy-accidents/): Volume 6, Issue 1 of The Journal Of Plain Anabaptist Communities is now released. This issue of JPAC includes an “in memoriam” to Dave Luthy, one of the founders of the Pathway Heritage Historical Library, located in Aylmer, Ontario. It includes brief statements of appreciation for his contributions to Anabaptist studies and the assistance and
- [An Amish Winter Trip Gone Wrong (Part 2): The Call You Shouldn’t Take](https://amishamerica.com/an-amish-winter-trip-gone-wrong-part-2-the-call-you-shouldnt-take/): Author Haley Straw returns today with part 2 of a new winter-themed series, drawing on one of her more challenging experiences as an Amish taxi driver. Part 1 is here if you missed it. Have you ever known—deep in your bones—that you should say no… and said yes anyway? That was me on the eve
- [Peek Inside the Best Amish Bakery in Holmes County, Ohio (17 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-best-amish-bakery-holmes-county-ohio-17-photos/): Hershberger's Farm and Bakery is one of the best-known - and if you ask me, best - bakeries in the Holmes County, Ohio Amish community. Now, have I been to every last one? No, definitely not. But Hershberger's has a lot going for it: Big selection of quality, tasty things (not only baked goods, but
- [Amish Put Their Money Down For Road Safety: Helping Fund Studies For Proposed Overpass](https://amishamerica.com/amish-put-money-down-road-safety-overpass/): Amish in one community are putting their weight - and money - into efforts to make buggy travel safer for their people. In Seymour, Missouri, the "Main Street Overpass" project is heading to state officials for consideration, backed by local representatives along with the area's considerable Amish population. The overpass would span a local highway,
- [New Ben & Rose Short: "Tomorrow In Your Hands"](https://amishamerica.com/ben-and-rose-short-song-clip-tomorrow-in-your-hands/): Another short clip of a new song is out now from Ben & Rose. A nice simple video of the couple sitting with producer Conrad Fisher as they sing, while he plays guitar and also sings. The caption says simply "Ben and Rose rehearse an old hymn called 'Tomorrow in Your Hands'". I'm not able
- [Amish Mothers Face Riskier Births After A Hospital in Maine Closed Its Maternity Unit](https://amishamerica.com/amish-mothers-maine-hospital-maternity-closure-risky-birth/): Amish mothers in Aroostook County, Maine are among those who now face increased risks following the closure of a local hospital's maternity unit - one of 11 to shut down in the past decade in the state. It's true that many Amish mothers do give birth at home, with the help of midwives - often
- ["Double-Barreled" Amish Buggy Does Snow Donuts In A Tennessee Parking Lot](https://amishamerica.com/two-horse-amish-buggy-snow-donuts-tennessee/): It's been awhile since we've had a good "Amish fun in the snow" video. So it seems apt that the arrival of the Big Winter Storm of 2026 would also bring us a good Amish-buggy-doing-snow-donuts video (at end of post). The person who filmed this, Casey Jones Springer, captioned it simply "Only in Tennessee". While
- [A Visit To An Amish Produce Stand & (Nearly) Year-Round Greenhouse - 23 Photos](https://amishamerica.com/visit-amish-produce-stand-nearly-year-round-greenhouse-23-photos/): Quick note from Erik: as you will see by the author attribution, this post is by Don Burke. Don has been contributing posts and photos for over ten years now, and I'm happy to say you'll now be able to find Don's past posts collected here. Look for more from Don in the coming days
- [Man Charged With Felony DUI While Driving Amish Children](https://amishamerica.com/man-charged-with-felony-dui-while-driving-amish-children/): An Amish taxi driver has been charged with DUI while he was transporting several Amish people, including two young Amish children, in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania. On stopping the driver, 58-year-old Patrick Allen Reitz Jr., police discovered marijuana in the vehicle, in addition to a strong burnt marijuana smell. Here's what happened according to the report
- [An Amish Winter Trip Gone Wrong (Part 1): When “Amish” Isn’t Just One Thing](https://amishamerica.com/an-amish-winter-trip-gone-wrong-part-1-when-amish-isnt-just-one-thing/): Let's welcome author Haley Straw back today as she shares part one of a new winter-themed series, drawing on one of her more challenging experiences as an Amish taxi driver. We all have moments that redraw the maps of our lives. For me, it was driving the Amish through the Christmas break of 2022. It
- [West Virginia Amish Market Thrives Despite Raw Milk Law](https://amishamerica.com/west-virginia-amish-market-thrives-despite-raw-milk-law/): Pocahontas County, West Virginia is home to a rather small Amish community of just a few dozen people. The Amish arrived here in 2023, and for the past two years have been running a market store that sounds like it has become quite popular in the area. Attesting to that, one patron writes: What a
- [Amish Man Killed When Buggy Turns Into Logging Truck’s Path](https://amishamerica.com/amish-man-killed-when-buggy-enters-path-of-logging-truck/): A young Amish man has lost his life in a tragic accident that apparently was caused when he turned his buggy into the path of a logging truck. This happened yesterday in Allegany County, New York. From New York Upstate: Willing, N.Y. — A man was killed after a logging truck hit an Amish buggy
- [Building “Plain” Computers for Amish & Mennonites Made This Mennonite Man Unpopular](https://amishamerica.com/building-plain-computers-for-amish-mennonites-made-mennonite-man-unpopular/): Allen Hoover makes toned-down, "offline" computers for the Amish and Mennonite community. And not everyone in the community likes him for it, according to a new interview. Hoover is an Old Order Mennonite man in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania who has been providing "Plain" computing solutions for Amish and Mennonites for over two decades. The appeal
- [Woman Charged With Hit-And-Run After Striking Buggy, Injuring Amish Man And Fleeing](https://amishamerica.com/woman-charged-hit-and-run-striking-buggy-injuring-amish-man/): The latest hit-and-run on an Amish buggy took place Friday in St. Lawrence County, New York, home to multiple Amish communities. Fortunately, no one was killed, but an Amish man was taken to hospital with injuries. Also presumably good news: the driver allegedly responsible was soon identified and charged. More from WWTI: Around 5:30 p.m.
- [Scenes From Snowy Lancaster County - And A Peek Inside Amish Church (23 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/snowy-lancaster-county-peek-at-amish-church-23-photos/): I wanted to share some photos from my visit to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania last month. Starting Saturday night and into Sunday morning, we got a nice solid snow, which left the area blanketed in a beautiful white fluffy layer. The next morning, church service was conveniently being held at the home of friends where I
- [Ben & Rose Do A Song In German (Short Clip)](https://amishamerica.com/ben-and-rose-do-a-song-in-german/): Here's a first for Ben & Rose's channel - a song sung in German. In this short clip, Ben plays guitar as Rose sings a section of the hymn "Jesu, Jesu, Brunn des Lebens" (Jesus, Jesus, Fountain of Life). Maybe they've performed in German before, but they don't have any songs in the language yet
- [Amish Family Of 9 All Survive Head-On Buggy Crash, Now Recovering At Home](https://amishamerica.com/amish-family-9-survive-head-on-buggy-crash/): We had some good news on the Amish family in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, involved in a head-on collision earlier this week. All ten people involved were injured - one Amish adult, eight Amish children, and the car driver. Initial reports suggested a bad scene, with a three-month-old baby "trapped under the buggy". But good news
- [The Amish of Canton, Missouri (42 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-canton-missouri/): Don Burke shares some photos from a visit to the Amish community at Canton, Missouri (Lewis County). This nearly four-decade-old settlement was three church districts in size as of last year (2023). Canton is one of many Amish places in the Show-Me State. Today Amish live in over 60 locations in Missouri. These photos were
- [An Amish-ish Wedding (Part 1 - 17 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/an-amish-ish-wedding-part-1/): Don Burke shares photos today from a special event in Jamesport, Missouri. This is the first of three parts. --- Over the course of about four years and several trips to Jamesport, MO, I first become acquainted with and then made good friends with a special Amish family there. During that same time the Amish
- [A Visit to the Amish of Ethridge, Tennessee (29 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/visit-amish-ethridge-tennessee-29-photos/): Don Burke, who's previously shared photos from places like Kalona, Iowa; Jamesport, Missouri; and an Amish "ghost town", today takes us to the Ethridge, Tennessee community. Ethridge is a conservative Swartzentruber community, and depending on how you define the region, the largest Amish settlement in the South. The people here are decidedly plainer than in communities like
- [I Witnessed An Actual Amish Buggy Race (27 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-youth-buggy-race-27-photos/): Following our look at an Amish buggy-race-that-wasn't, Don Burke shares more behind that story - and adds another layer, showing us an actual Amish buggy race in a different settlement. Don first gives us some background on the community where this took place (Clark, Missouri) - then a closer look at a youth buggy race
- [Experts On "Suddenly Amish": Amish Cast Are Likely "Ringers", Premise Is Nonsense (But...Does That Mean It's "Bad"?)](https://amishamerica.com/experts-question-suddenly-amish-cast-premise/): "Suddenly Amish" is TLC's new "reality" show which, we are told, places six outsiders into an Amish community where each "contemplates the possibility of converting into Amish society". The first episode premiered several days ago, and has been getting a flurry of media coverage. As I noted in my post two weeks ago ("What’s the
- [Car Hits Amish Buggy "Head-On"; 10 Injured, Horse Put Down (UPDATED: Driver's Father Explains How The Accident Happened & Update On The Family)](https://amishamerica.com/car-drives-head-on-into-amish-buggy-10-injured-horse-put-down/): This is a bad one. There were nine Amish people in the buggy, eight of whom were children, including a three-month-old baby. The tenth injured person is the driver of the vehicle - which struck the buggy head-on yesterday in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Details as far as the extent of injuries are scarce. Some are
- [Inside The Home Of A "Musical" Amish Family (21 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-the-home-of-a-musical-amish-family-21-photos/): This Amish home lies near the wonderfully-named Summer Shade, Kentucky. There is an Amish community here in Barren County (though the place called Summer Shade technically lies in a neighboring county). These photos show us a pretty traditional Amish home, especially downstairs. Upstairs, we see signs that this is quite a musically-inclined Amish family. The
- [Amish Escape Major Injury When Car Hits Buggy Using "Alternative" Visibility Solution](https://amishamerica.com/amish-escape-major-injury-when-car-hits-buggy-using-alternative-visibility-solution/): The good news here: there were three Amish people onboard the buggy, and all three - one adult and two juveniles - are (more-or-less) okay. The accident really caught my attention for another reason (more on that below). It happened yesterday (January 12th) in Ashland County, Ohio, home to several Amish communities. Based on the
- [Pennsylvania State Police Search For Flasher Targeting Amish Women](https://amishamerica.com/pennsylvania-state-police-search-flasher-targeting-amish-women/): Some sick person is exposing himself to Amish women in Pennsylvania. This has been going on for months now, apparently. The location is Indiana County, PA, home to over 4,000 Amish people living in several communities. And this isn't the first time this has happened to the Amish in this general area (more on that
- [11-Year-Old Amish Boy Killed While Riding Scooter Near His Home](https://amishamerica.com/11-year-old-amish-boy-killed-while-riding-scooter-near-his-home-lancaster-county/): An 11-year-old Amish boy was killed while riding his scooter on New Year's Eve in Lancaster County, PA, according to reports coming out over the past two days. More: Christopher Wayne Beiler, 11, of Narvon, died on Wednesday, Dec. 31, after he was struck by a motor vehicle while riding his scooter near his residence
- [New From Ben & Rose: "On Heaven's Bright Shore". And...Are They Still Amish?](https://amishamerica.com/ben-and-rose-song-on-heavens-bright-shore-and-are-they-still-amish/): Ben and Rose are back with their first release of 2026, this one called "On Heaven's Bright Shore". There has apparently been more than one song with this general title/chorus. This version we are told was written by a gentleman named Roscoe Reed (not to be confused with another song by that name dating to
- [10 Years Later: How The Amish Helped Clean Up After A Devastating Mississippi Tornado](https://amishamerica.com/10-years-later-amish-helped-clean-up-mississippi-tornado/): This remarkable article caught my eye this week. Sue Watson, writing for the South Reporter, recalls the cleanup efforts following a devastating tornado strike in Holly Springs, Mississippi. She looks back on the 10th anniversary of the event, which happened in December of 2015 - noting the helping hand extended by Amish and Mennonite volunteers
- [12-Year-Old Amish Girl Injured, Horse Killed After Pickup Driver "Drifts" Onto Shoulder](https://amishamerica.com/12-year-old-amish-girl-injured-horse-killed-pickup-drifts-onto-shoulder-new-york/): This happened yesterday in Otsego County, New York. I called an Amish friend living in this area earlier today. He informed me this was someone not from his, but one of the other communities in the county (there are three Amish settlements in Otsego County). Though it's not his immediate community, he had actually already
- [This Minnesota County Just Got A First-Of-Its-Kind Buggy Warning System](https://amishamerica.com/flashing-beacon-buggy-warning-system-goes-live-on-one-minnesota-highway/): This sounds similar to what's been under consideration in Virginia, but we see it's already being put into action in Fillmore County, Minnesota - at least on one stretch of road. Here's more from a news release from the Minnesota Department of Transportation: CANTON, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Transportation has installed new flashing
- [Amish Celebrate Old Christmas On January 6th](https://amishamerica.com/amish-celebrate-old-christmas/): This updated post on the Amish & Old Christmas was originally published in 2011. If you missed it the first time, here's another look at the story behind this tradition, observed on January 6 in Amish communities. What is Old Christmas? How do Amish celebrate Old Christmas? Not all Amish observe Old Christmas Old Christmas
- [Woman Killed When Drunk-Driving Former Wrestling Coach Hits Buggy (Lancaster County)](https://amishamerica.com/woman-killed-dui-driving-former-wrestling-coach-hits-buggy-lancaster-county/): The driver is a former local wrestling coach, and this isn't his first time on the wrong side of the law (more on that below). Police determined that Danial Ranck Miller, 33, was under the influence of drugs and alcohol when he struck a buggy yesterday outside Gap, PA, ejecting and killing the woman driving
- [Amish, Mennonites & Others Come Together To Can 80,000 Pounds Of Chicken For Charity](https://amishamerica.com/amish-mennonites-others-come-together-to-can-80000-pounds-of-chicken-for-charity/): This month, the only mobile meat canner in the world is making a stop in Goshen, Indiana - an area with a large Amish and Mennonite population. It's there to be used in a big charity effort which sees hundreds of volunteers pitch in to can chicken meat, destined for locations around the world where
- [Amish Mother Ruth Miller Back In Court as Legal Teams Debate Jury Guidance Ahead of March Murder Trial](https://amishamerica.com/amish-mother-ruth-miller-appears-in-court-as-murder-case-advances-ahead-of-her-march-trial/): Ruth Miller - the Amish mother facing aggravated murder, among other charges, in her four-year-old son's August drowning death - was in court yesterday for a pre-trial hearing which lasted about a half-hour. Miller's trial is scheduled to begin March 4th, so just about two months from now. There was not a ton of headline-grabbing
- [Amish Buggy Totaled in Pre-Dawn Crash; Somehow Amish Man & Children Walk Away](https://amishamerica.com/amish-buggy-totaled-in-pre-dawn-crash-somehow-amish-man-children-walk-away/): Somehow no one was injured in this early-AM crash yesterday in Vernon County, Wisconsin. Looking at the photos, you'd expect otherwise, seeing the heavily-damaged buggy on the roadside. From the Vernon Reporter: WESTBY, Wis. — Authorities say no one was injured when a pickup truck struck a horse-drawn buggy early Saturday in rural on U.S.
- [Inside An Amish Home On The "Wild Side" (27 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-amish-home-on-the-wild-side-27-photos/): This is how this Kansas Amish home's description opens - and why I couldn't pass up describing it likewise: "Escape to the wild side and live on your own terms with this rugged 50-acre off-grid farm in central Osage County". Osage County, KS is a sparsely-populated place, and true to the pitch, the property enjoys
- [Ohio Thrift Shop Raises Thousands For Amish People With Special Needs](https://amishamerica.com/ohio-thrift-shop-raises-thousands-for-amish-people-with-special-needs/): Save & Serve is a special kind of store - a nonprofit operation whose earnings are directed to benefit various outreach projects, supporting the Mennonite Central Committee's mission. Based in Millersburg, Ohio, it's a thrift shop selling a "curated selection of gently-used items", according to its website. Founded in the mid-1970s, they've been at it
- [Favorite Posts Of 2025](https://amishamerica.com/favorite-posts-of-2025/): I have a tradition of doing this favorite posts roundup post on the last day of the year. I've done this going back to at least 2014 (though it looks like I missed 2016 for some reason). These are "favorites" - what does that mean? Well, some are those that got the most views -
- [Inside A Charming Backroad Amish Bakery (28 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-peacheys-country-store-bakery-somerset-county-pa-28-photos/): The sign you see here welcomes you to Peachey's Country Store, a place definitely worth stopping if you find yourself in the Somerset County, Pennsylvania Amish community. I had this spot in mind for a re-visit ever since I was here in 2015, and was happy - though not surprised - to see it was
- [New From Ben & Rose: "City Of Gold"](https://amishamerica.com/ben-and-rose-song-city-of-gold/): Ben takes the lead on this bouncy rendition of another gospel classic - "City of Gold". Like the last song we looked at, this one appeared on the duo's album, and now gets a video. There was something a bit odd here though - this one was released at the same time as "Lily of
- [A Snowy Visit To Amish Country in Missouri (16 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/snowy-visit-amish-jamesport-missouri-16-photos/): Many of you probably recognize the name Don Burke as someone who has provided many wonderful photos for the site here over the years - as well as a number of excellent guest posts about visits to Amish communities. In today's post, Don shares with us how he first came to visit one of the
- [New From Ben & Rose: "Lily Of The Valley"](https://amishamerica.com/ben-and-rose-song-lily-of-the-valley/): Ben & Rose are back with their rendition of "Lily of the Valley", an old gospel classic. This is another track from their album, which they are just releasing a video for now. And it's another which dates back a good ways - written by Charles William Fry in England in 1881, for the Salvation
- [A Place To Stay (Part 4): Christmas Day](https://amishamerica.com/a-place-to-stay-part-four-christmas-day/): Author and Amish taxi driver Haley Straw shares part four of a four-part Christmas series. It follows the true story of a young boy from Chicago, whose longing for warmth and belonging sends him on an unlikely winter journey toward an Amish community he’d only read about in a library book. This retelling draws from the original “Please Let
- [Rumspringa Reality: Five Amish Youth "Spill The Beans"](https://amishamerica.com/rumspringa-reality-five-amish-youth-spill-the-beans/): And by "spill the beans", that doesn't exactly mean they share all the juicy details people might imagine. It's more about sharing the reality that not all Amish youth (or even most of them) have the wild growing-up period that has taken hold in the popular imagination, thanks to TV and other media. Laura Pitcher
- [Ben & Rose: We Learn More Of Their Story](https://amishamerica.com/ben-and-rose-more-of-their-story/): One year after Ben & Rose were first covered in the publication, Saving Country Music has returned to the musical Amish couple, sharing some behind-the-scenes about their lives and background. I know a lot of people have had some questions about that - including some of the Amish folks in Lancaster County who I talked
- [This Video of Amish Children Singing Christmas Carols Will Warm Your Heart](https://amishamerica.com/amish-children-sing-christmas-carols/): Here's a great video of a group of Amish people - mostly children - stopping by to sing Christmas carols at an English friend's home. This was filmed in Holmes County, Ohio. The friend is P. Thomas, who you may remember from other singing videos we've shared here. The singing true to form is lovely
- [Intoxicated Driver Learns Punishment in Crash That Killed Amish Boy; Avoids Life Sentence](https://amishamerica.com/intoxicated-driver-learns-punishment-in-crash-that-killed-10-year-old-amish-boy/): An update to a tragic story that is now coming to a close, of sorts. Last December, 10-year-old Amish boy Anthony Miller lost his life when he was hit by 30-year-old Logan Thomas, driving a pickup truck and under the influence of multiple drugs, including meth and fentanyl. This happened in the sizeable Amish community
- [Truck Hits Amish Family's Buggy - Sending Three To Hospital Badly Injured (Michigan)](https://amishamerica.com/pickup-truck-hits-amish-familys-buggy-sending-three-to-hospital-badly-injured-michigan/): After a spate of bad crashes, it's been a while since we've had a report of an Amish buggy wreck in Michigan.* Sadly, the Graber family of Montgomery, Michigan were the victims in a wreck yesterday in Hillsdale County. More from MLive: HILLSDALE COUNTY, MI – An Amish man and two of his children were
- [17 Striking Winter Photos That Show Amish Country at Its Most Beautiful](https://amishamerica.com/17-stunning-winter-photos-amish-country/): Winter brings a quiet shift to Amish Country, as snow blankets farms, fields, and country roads. With slower days and fewer visitors, the season transforms the landscape, highlighting details that might go unnoticed at other times of year. These 17 striking photos capture moments - both serene and dynamic - in the wintertime lives of
- [Snow Plow Spooks Amish Horse, Sends Buggy Into Ditch - Then Comes To The Rescue](https://amishamerica.com/snow-plow-spooks-amish-horse-sends-buggy-into-ditch-then-comes-to-the-rescue/): Here's a buggy incident with a "happy ending". A plow (assuming they mean snow plow) spooked an Amish buggy horse, sending the buggy straight into a ditch. But the driver noticed, and stopped to help. More from WGRZ: CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, N.Y. — The Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office said no one was injured after an Amish
- [This Unusual Amish Community Lies In Two States](https://amishamerica.com/this-unusual-amish-community-lies-in-two-states/): And while it's uncommon, it's not the only one like that. The Amish community at Littlestown, Pennsylvania (Adams County) also stretches into Carroll County, Maryland. The young settlement is the subject of a recent report by WHP/CBS 21. In 2021, Joe Donnermeyer compiled a list of Two-State Amish Settlements for us, which included over a
- [Semi Smashes Buggy, Leaving Horse Dead and Amish Man Seriously Injured](https://amishamerica.com/semi-smashes-buggy-leaving-horse-dead-and-amish-man-seriously-injured/): An Amish man has been left with life-threatening injuries, and a horse dead after an 18-wheeler struck a buggy in Ohio's largest Amish community. More from WKBN: STARK COUNTY, Ohio (WJW) – A crash involving a semi-truck and a horse-drawn buggy hospitalized one man and killed a horse. That’s according to the Ohio State Highway
- [A Place to Stay (Part 3): Found by the Amish](https://amishamerica.com/a-place-to-stay-part-three-found-by-the-amish/): Author and Amish taxi driver Haley Straw shares part three of a four-part Christmas series. It follows the true story of a young boy from Chicago, whose longing for warmth and belonging sends him on an unlikely winter journey toward an Amish community he’d only read about in a library book. This retelling draws from the original “Please Let
- [Amish-Backed Bank Reaches $1.7 Billion In Assets](https://amishamerica.com/amish-backed-bank-reaches-1-7-billion-in-assets/): A popular Amish-backed bank has recently opened its eighth location, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The Bank of Bird-in-Hand was founded in 2013 and has proven an unmitigated success story for its customers in the southeastern Pennsylvania region. The bank has made news often in the past - including for its unusual means of reaching its
- [Man & Woman Attempt To Kidnap Amish Boy; Suspects Remain At Large (Ohio)](https://amishamerica.com/man-and-woman-attempt-to-kidnap-amish-boy-suspects-remain-at-large-ohio/): It's happened again. Authorities seek a man and a woman wanted for an attempted kidnapping of an Amish boy - only the latest attempted abduction of an Amish child. This happened yesterday in Gallia County, Ohio, in the southern end of the state. More from WSAZ: GALLIA COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) – Deputies are investigating a
- [This Virginia County Might Be First To Test a High-Tech Amish Buggy Warning System](https://amishamerica.com/this-virginia-county-might-be-first-to-test-a-high-tech-amish-buggy-warning-system/): Two months after it was first reported, a high-tech warning system designed to alert drivers to Amish buggies on the roads might be coming to life in one county in Virginia. Reports are that Pittsylvania County, VA might be the first to see this system in use - at least the first in Virginia. It's
- [DUI Driver Hits Amish Buggy; It Tips Over & Drags Down The Road](https://amishamerica.com/dui-driver-hits-amish-buggy-tips-over-drags-down-the-road/): This had to be frightening. The 22-year-old Amish woman inside was dragged down the road (while still inside the buggy, fortunately). Also, fortunately, it turns out she is alright. Yet another bad experience delivered by an (alleged) DUI driver. This one happened in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. Here's more via the Daily Voice: Brad J. Rodarmel, 46,
- [Inside An Unusual Amish Home - With Its Own Schoolhouse (17 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-an-amish-home-with-a-school-17-photos/): Today's Amish home is found in Scioto County, Ohio. A standout feature of this Amish property is a second home - which, as we'll see in the photos, has been used as a schoolhouse for the community (more on why below). Scioto County lies in southern Ohio, right on the border with Kentucky. There are
- [Amish To County: Let Us Build A River Crossing For Our Safety](https://amishamerica.com/amish-to-county-let-us-build-a-river-crossing-for-our-safety/): This is one you don't see every day: Amish in a Michigan community want to be allowed to build a river crossing to make buggy travel safer. It's a project that would otherwise cost the government millions of dollars. But - and here's the kicker - the Amish want to do it themselves, bypassing red
- [A Southern Yankee Meets Amish Winter and Lives to Tell the Tale (17 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/snowy-scenes-from-amish-ohio-geauga-county-17-photos/): Twenty years ago, I had the pleasure of spending the night in my pickup truck, heater on blast, in the parking lot of a Middlefield, Ohio, gas station. The reason? A heavy, early-April lake effect snowstorm had caught me off guard while I was in the area selling books. The roads too slick to exit
- ["Lifetime Buck" Stolen From Amish Hunters](https://amishamerica.com/lifetime-buck-stolen-from-amish-hunters/): It's still deer hunting season - and that means in many Amish communities, the men (and some women) are taking full advantage of the chance to go after a prize buck. And in Perry County, Pennsylvania, one group of hunters managed to get that trophy - only to have it swiped away by a thief.
- [Ben & Rose Do A Christmas Classic: "Away In A Manger"](https://amishamerica.com/ben-and-rose-christmas-song-away-in-a-manger/): Christmas is right around the corner and Ben & Rose are back with their take on a Christmas classic: "Away In A Manger". It's a lovely soft rendition with Jordan Davis and Mark Davis helping out on drums and bass, and producer Conrad Fisher adding guitar. I particularly like the addition of the fiddle by
- [A Place to Stay (Part 2): His Christmas Journey Begins](https://amishamerica.com/a-place-to-stay-part-two-his-christmas-journey-begins/): Author and Amish taxi driver Haley Straw shares part two of a four-part Christmas series. It follows the true story of a young boy from Chicago, whose longing for warmth and belonging sends him on an unlikely winter journey toward an Amish community he’d only read about in a library book. This retelling draws from the
- [Blaze Damages Popular Amish Greenhouse (Indiana)](https://amishamerica.com/blaze-damages-popular-amish-greenhouse/): This story comes out of the Amish community in Williamsburg, Indiana. Fortunately no one was hurt, but as you can see by the photo the greenhouse took significant damage. Aerial technology came into play to help firefighters knock out the blaze. More on that from the Richmond Palladium-Item: WILLIAMSBURG, IN — No injuries were reported
- [An Amish "Victory": Supreme Court Erases Lower Court Decision in School Vaccine Mandate Case, Orders Review](https://amishamerica.com/a-victory-for-amish-parents-supreme-court-erases-lower-court-decision-in-school-vaccine-mandate-case-orders-review/): News today: the Supreme Court has "erased" a decision against New York Amish parents who objected to vaccination mandates for children in Amish schools. The Amish refusal to comply following a 2019 change in New York state law resulted in three Amish schools being fined a total of $118,000. To this point, the Amish side
- [One Woman's Journey from English to Amish to Jewish](https://amishamerica.com/one-womans-journey-from-english-to-amish-to-jewish/): An interesting story appeared recently about a young woman who has made an unusual faith journey: from a non-Amish Christian family, to joining an Amish community, and most recently to Judaism. Nechama Leapley grew up as Briana Leapley in a non-Amish (aka "English") Christian home - though in an "Amish-sized" family: she was the oldest
- [A Place to Stay: How One Child Found A Home Among the Amish](https://amishamerica.com/a-place-to-stay-how-one-child-found-a-home-among-the-amish/): Author and Amish taxi driver Haley Straw is back with part one of a four-part Christmas series. It follows the true story of a young boy from Chicago, whose longing for warmth and belonging sends him on an unlikely winter journey toward an Amish community he’d only read about in a library book. This retelling draws
- [Amish Father Shot & Killed During "Deer Drive" Involving 24 Hunters](https://amishamerica.com/amish-father-shot-killed-during-deer-drive-involving-24-hunters/): An Amish father of two has died following a hunting accident in the mountains of Juniata County, Pennsylvania. The man was accidentally shot by another hunter while participating in a "deer drive" - a technique using two groups of hunters, where one group flushes deer out for others to shoot. More from WJAC: JUNIATA COUNTY,
- [Man Pleads Guilty in DUI Wreck Which Killed 10-Year-Old Amish Boy; Might Get A Life Sentence](https://amishamerica.com/man-pleads-guilty-in-dui-wreck-which-killed-10-year-old-amish-boy-might-get-a-life-sentence/): Anthony Miller was a 10-year-old boy living the life of an Amish child in his community in St. Joseph County, Michigan. But Anthony's life was abruptly cut short, one year ago this week. On December 2, 2024, Logan Thomas, 30, driving a pickup truck at a claimed speed of 50-55 mph, plowed into a group
- [Amish Couple Killed: Hit By Dump Truck That "Drifted" Into Buggy Lane](https://amishamerica.com/amish-couple-killed-hit-by-dump-truck-that-drifted-into-buggy-lane/): Just an awful story out of LaGrange County, Indiana. A dump truck "drifted" off the road and onto the shoulder, hitting a buggy driven by an Amish couple in their 70s - killing both of them. Of note: what's being called "the shoulder" here appears to be a full-fledged, wide "buggy lane" in the area
- [Two Amish Hospitalized After Wreck; Driver "Taken Into Police Custody"; Horse Runs Off (UPDATED)](https://amishamerica.com/two-amish-hospitalized-after-wreck-driver-taken-into-police-custody-horse-runs-off/): Details are scarce at the moment in this story out of Centre County, Pennsylvania (see update below). But we do know that two Amish people have been taken to the hospital - and one non-Amish driver into police custody - following another buggy crash. Yesterday at around 8:30 PM, an Amish buggy carrying two passengers
- [Florida Amish Country: Yoder's Makes 6,000 Pies For Turkey Day](https://amishamerica.com/florida-amish-country-yoders-makes-6000-pies-for-thanksgiving/): Here's a fun little pre-Thanksgiving story that I just now came across, from Florida's "Amish Country", also known as the Sarasota-area Pinecraft community. If you've been to that community, you probably are aware of the Amish-style eateries in the area. One of the best-known is Yoder's, who get a lot of praise for their delicious
- [Amish Mother Forced To Deliver Baby Two Months Early After Hit & Run; Suspected Driver Identified, But Still Not Arrested](https://amishamerica.com/amish-woman-forced-to-deliver-baby-two-months-early-after-hit-run-suspect-identified-not-arrested/): The father of an Amish woman, badly injured in a hit-and-run crash along with her two small children, has written a letter to a local news station providing more details on the condition of his daughter and grandchildren. Martha Wagler, age 27, was in a buggy in her community in Williams County, Ohio, on November
- [Inside A "Charming Farmstead" Amish Home (17 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-a-charming-farmstead-amish-home-17-photos/): Some lovely photos, taken on a crisp autumn day, of an Amish "farmstead" home in Lucas County, Iowa. These look to be fresh photos, as this place has only been listed for a couple of weeks. The county is home to two Amish communities; this one is in the area of Chariton. Some beautiful aerial
- [Amish Home Burns Down In Fire Caused By "Unattended Cooking"](https://amishamerica.com/amish-family-home-burns-down-fire-caused-by-unattended-cooking/): This comes to us from the Amish community in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, home to a sizeable Amish population. Fortunately, no one was hurt in a fire this morning which - by looking at the photos here - essentially destroyed an Amish family's home. The report from WGAL fills in some details: Crews were called to
- [Buggy Hit & Run Suspect IDENTIFIED - Two Weeks After Amish Woman & Children Badly Hurt In Wreck](https://amishamerica.com/buggy-hit-run-suspect-identified-two-weeks-after-amish-woman-children-badly-hurt-in-wreck/): Great work: It looks like the driver of a truck which (allegedly) hit an Amish buggy, seriously injuring a woman and two children - then fled - is coming closer to facing charges for the crime. Martha Wagler, a 27-year-old Amish woman, was traveling in a buggy along with two children in the early evening
- [Non-Amish Community Support Family of 16-Year-Old Killed in Buggy Hit-and-Run](https://amishamerica.com/non-amish-community-support-family-of-16-year-old-killed-in-buggy-hit-and-run/): I was just contacted about a new effort to support the family of Elmer Borntrager, the 16-year-old Amish boy killed last week in a hit-and-run incident in Clarke County, Iowa. Elmer was buried this past Sunday, November 16th. He is survived by his parents David and Esther Borntrager and family including siblings. You can see
- [A Friend Remembers A "Most Unusual" Amish Man](https://amishamerica.com/a-friend-remembers-a-most-unusual-amish-man/): I never met David Luthy, who passed away last month, though have written about how his writings were of much value to me in my earlier days of learning about the Amish. Luthy and I did exchange letters once, years ago. I had written to him, wanting to interview him for this website. I was
- [An Amish Thanksgiving (Part 3): Thankful Hands](https://amishamerica.com/amish-thanksgiving-part-3-thankful-hands/): This is the final part of a three-part Thanksgiving series exploring how the Amish express gratitude—not through words, but through action. Author and Amish taxi driver Haley Straw shares a story which revealed to her how her Amish friends understand - and demonstrate - gratitude. And if you missed it, check out part 1 (“How
- [Jeep Smashes Into Amish Buggy In The Middle Of Town - Then Flees](https://amishamerica.com/jeep-smashes-into-amish-buggy-in-the-middle-of-town-then-flees/): Yet another hit-and-run on an Amish buggy. This one comes to us from Fort Fairfield, Maine and happened yesterday evening. The buggy was hit by the driver of a Jeep Wrangler - sending the buggy plowing into a pickup truck. More from Bangor Daily News: An Amish buggy was rear-ended in a hit-and-run crash Wednesday
- [Amish Lake Deaths: Ruth Miller Deemed Mentally Competent To Stand Trial In Death Of 4-Year-Old Son; Trial Date Now Set](https://amishamerica.com/amish-lake-deaths-ruth-miller-deemed-mentally-competent-to-stand-trial-in-death-of-4-year-old-son-trial-date-now-set/): A judge has found Ruth Miller, 40, mentally competent to stand trial, following a psychologist's assessment of the Amish mother. And a trial date has now been set. Miller was charged with aggravated murder for the death of her four-year-old son Vincen, among other charges relating to Vincen and her other, teenaged children, following a
- [New From Third Fret Harmony: "Why Me Lord"](https://amishamerica.com/third-fret-harmony-song-why-me-lord/): Here's a nice new song by Third Fret Harmony, comprised of brother and sister duo Mike and Marty Fisher. This is a tune originally by Kris Kristofferson - another religious song, sung in a slow country style. Wikipedia has this interesting background note in its description of the song: According to country music historian Bill
- [Woman Hits Amish Teen, But Continues Driving To Work - Because She Didn't Want To Be Late](https://amishamerica.com/woman-hits-amish-teen-but-continues-driving-to-work-because-she-didnt-want-to-be-late/): I thought I'd maybe heard it all by now. I guess not. From Penn Live: A woman was charged after she continued driving to work after hitting a horse buggy, injuring a 17-year-old last month in Lancaster County, police said in court documents. Reyna Mondragon Reza, 41, of Chester County, was charged with a misdemeanor
- [Autumn Images From An Amish Corner Of Kentucky (15 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/autumn-images-from-an-amish-corner-of-kentucky-15-photos/): Reflecting the beauty of the autumn season, today we have another nice photo set by Don Burke, featuring some fall sights from one of Kentucky's 50+ Amish settlements. As you can see, autumn was in full effect when he took these (this set is not from this year, but some years back). These are from
- [Amish Cook Gloria Yoder: Widows' Gathering Provides Comfort](https://amishamerica.com/amish-cook-widows-gathering-provides-comfort/): Several years ago, Amish Cook columnist Gloria Yoder faced one of the toughest tragedies imaginable, when her husband Daniel was killed in an accident. In one of her latest columns, she share a moving account of a gathering of widows she recently attended as she continues to heal. The gathering was held at a Mennonite
- [An Amish Thanksgiving (Part 2): The Amish Table of Thanksgiving](https://amishamerica.com/amish-thanksgiving-part-2-the-amish-table-of-thanksgiving/): This is the second of a three-part Thanksgiving series exploring how the Amish express gratitude—not through words, but through action. Author and Amish taxi driver Haley Straw shares an unexpected Amish Thanksgiving experience - and what stayed with her after it was over. And if you missed it, check out part 1 ("How The Amish
- [Amish Buggy Somehow Ends Up On Guardrail After Wreck. Driver Was "Following Too Closely"](https://amishamerica.com/amish-buggy-somehow-ends-up-on-guardrail-after-wreck-driver-was-following-too-closely/): The good news in this buggy accident is that everyone is okay (including the horse). But I'm not quite sure how the buggy ended up where it did. Especially with no injuries to the driver. This story comes to us from Newport, New York (Herkimer County) and happened yesterday evening. There aren't a lot of
- [Inside An Amish Shop Home - With "Character" (19 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-an-amish-shop-home-with-character-19-photos/): This is one of the more interesting Amish properties I've come across - both for the home itself and the land it's on. It's a large "shop home" style residence, two stories in fact, located in Wadena County, Minnesota. The area is home to a small Amish community, a little over a decade old, and
- [Amish Girl Dies After Being Run Over By Wagon Loaded With Corn (Wisconsin)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-girl-dies-after-being-run-over-by-wagon-loaded-with-corn/): Another tragic farm accident has claimed a young Amish person's life. A 15-year-old girl in Vernon County, Wisconsin has died after being run over by a wagon loaded with corn. From the Vernon Reporter: WESTBY, Wis. — A 15-year-old Amish girl died Friday, Nov. 14 after being run over by a wagon in a farm-related
- [Goot Essa Cheese Recall (From September) - "Der Mutterschaf" Sold In 4 States](https://amishamerica.com/goot-essa-cheese-recall-september-2025-der-mutterschaf-sold-in-4-states-possible-listeria/): Folks this is late news, but there was a recall issued for Goot Essa cheese. It was originally released back in September and affects 60+ pounds of one product - "Der Mutterschaf" sold in retail outlets and restaurants, for potential listeria contamination. It affects cheese sold in New Jersey, Virginia, Connecticut, and Montana via seven
- [Neighbor Remembers Amish 16-Year-Old Elmer Borntrager, Killed In Hit-And-Run. And: Suspect's Vehicle Found](https://amishamerica.com/neighbor-remembers-amish-16-year-old-elmer-borntrager-killed-in-hit-and-run-and-suspects-vehicle-found/): Following up on the recent hit-and-run buggy crash in Clarke County, Iowa, a local station spoke with neighbors of the young man killed in the wreck. One of them provided more details on what happened, and a bit about the young man, Elmer Borntrager. Also, it sounds like there is good news, for lack of
- [Study Reveals Three Reasons Why Amish (Often) Reject Vaccines](https://amishamerica.com/study-reveals-three-reasons-why-amish-often-reject-vaccines/): In the lead article for the 10th issue of The Journal of Plain Anabaptist Communities (JPAC), three Amish scholars from West Virginia University examined why the Amish are often reluctant to take advantage of vaccines, both now and in the past. The study was conducted by Rachel E. Stein, Katie E. Corcoran and Corey Coyler,
- [DUI Charges For Amish Buggy Driver After Crash With Car](https://amishamerica.com/dui-charges-for-amish-buggy-driver-after-crash-with-car/): An 19-year-old Amish man has been charged with DUI following a collision involving a motor vehicle. This comes to us from the New Wilmington, Pennsylvania Amish community - no stranger to DUI charges among its buggy drivers (more on that below). As far as this incident, here's more from New Castle News: An Amish buggy
- [Beautiful New Song From Ben & Rose: "Angel Band"](https://amishamerica.com/beautiful-song-from-ben-and-rose-angel-band/): Here's another song from Ben & Rose from their album "Slowly But Surely" - the final track on it, in fact. So this one has been out awhile, but we're now getting it along with a video. "Angel Band" is described as "an old Gospel song" - and one of the oldest they've covered, at
- [DNA On $20 Bill Helps Police Capture Amish Boy's (Suspected) Kidnapper](https://amishamerica.com/dna-on-20-dollar-bill-leads-to-arrest-of-suspected-kidnapper-of-amish-boy/): Strange to be doing a second Amish kidnapping story in a row, but here we are. News broke today that police have arrested the suspected kidnapper of an Amish boy in Juniata County, Pennsylvania. Back in September we learned that a man had grabbed a 9-year-old Amish boy while his back was turned at a
- [Judge Finds Man Who Assaulted, Tried To Kidnap Amish Teen Girl "Not Guilty" - By Reason Of Insanity](https://amishamerica.com/man-who-assaulted-tried-to-kidnap-amish-teen-girl-found-not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity/): The shocking story of an "Amish wannabe" living in the Arthur, Illinois community who attacked and tried to kidnap a 16-year-old Amish girl has come to a conclusion of sorts. In the February 2025 incident - which happened in the early morning at a local coffee shop - Lester M. Raymind, 21, first assaulted, and then
- [An Amish Thanksgiving (Part 1): How The Amish Say "Thank You"](https://amishamerica.com/amish-thanksgiving-part-1-how-the-amish-say-thank-you/): This story is part of a three-part Thanksgiving series exploring how the Amish express gratitude—not through words, but through action. In this first reflection, author and Amish taxi driver Haley Straw shares what she learned about quiet appreciation and the surprising ways the Amish say “thank you” without ever saying a word. A half-hug, a
- [Driver Kills Amish Teen & Flees; Sheriff Currently Hunting For Suspect (Iowa)](https://amishamerica.com/driver-kills-amish-teen-sheriff-currently-hunting-for-suspect-iowa/): Another horrible crash has led to the death of an Amish teen in southern Iowa. And the person apparently responsible for the death decided to run. This incident, which happened early yesterday evening in Clarke County, Iowa, was reported at KJAN, a local radio station: (Clarke County, IA) [updated with suspect vehicle information] – A
- [Amish Acres To Reopen "Soon"; Will Be Like The Original - But With A "Twist”](https://amishamerica.com/amish-acres-to-reopen-soon-will-be-like-the-original-but-with-a-twist/): The new owner of historic Nappanee, Indiana attraction Amish Acres has explained more on the reopening process, and what visitors can expect, in a new article at Goshen News. And as was suggested before, it sounds like fans of the original should be happy with what's coming. And there is to be a "twist" -
- [Visiting The Amish in "The Middle Of Nowhere" (10 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/visiting-the-amish-in-the-middle-of-nowhere-10-photos/): Each year the Amish start new settlements (with nine new ones arising in the past year). Some grow slowly over time, others more quickly. Others eventually fail and disband. Dynamics such as the local economy, climate, and in-group harmony all can affect a given community's chances of success. Today, Timothy L. Price shares a closer
- [Inside A Half-Million-Dollar Amish Home (29 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-an-amish-home-for-a-half-million-29-photos/): The community is Deer Lodge, Tennessee (Morgan County). It's a settlement founded by Amish in 2013, which has since grown to over 250 people in size. We happened to look at another home from this very same community just a few weeks ago (the Amish home with "unrivaled" views). Families will come and go from
- [Explosion Precedes Blaze Which Claims Amish Family's Canning Building](https://amishamerica.com/explosion-precedes-blaze-which-claims-amish-familys-canning-building/): An Amish family in the Buchanan County, Iowa community (Hazleton) is likely breathing a sigh of relief after undergoing the misfortune of a property fire Thursday. The relief would come from the fact that no one was hurt, and that their home mostly escaped damage. Four local fire departments contributed to the efforts to extinguish
- [10 Delicious Amish-Style Thanksgiving Dishes](https://amishamerica.com/10-delicious-amish-style-thanksgiving-dishes/): The Amish celebrate Thanksgiving in many of the same ways non-Amish Americans do: with family, rest, and tables laden with hearty dishes. One difference may be the size of their get-togethers - with the typical Amish family size being eight, ten, or larger, they are often making larger portions than your average American family. But
- [Inside A Half-Finished West Virginia Amish Home (20 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-half-finished-west-virginia-amish-home-20-photos/): This is the second West Virginia Amish home we've looked at this year, after this five-bedroom place on a 50+ acre piece of land. And I expect we'll be seeing more and more of them for sale in the state as the Amish footprint there, and pool of available homes, continues to grow. Their overall
- [How I Became an Amish Taxi Driver: One Unexpected Visit That Changed Everything](https://amishamerica.com/becoming-an-amish-taxi-driver-how-one-unexpected-visit-changed-everything/): Haley Straw returns today with the story of how she first got started driving the Amish. This is the fifth in a series of posts by Haley on what it's like to be an Amish taxi driver. If you missed any of those, you'll find links to them at the end of this post. September
- [Woman Charged in DUI Crash That Injured Five Amish, One Critically](https://amishamerica.com/woman-charged-in-dui-crash-that-injured-five-amish-one-critically/): This one was first reported in August, out of Van Buren County, Michigan - an (allegedly) intoxicated driver hit an Amish buggy in the evening hours, leading to five Amish people being injured. One of them had to receive "life-saving measures" (it was originally reported that six were injured, but that has been revised to
- [Amish Woman, Seven Months Pregnant, Dies After Kick From Horse](https://amishamerica.com/amish-woman-seven-months-pregnant-killed-after-kick-from-horse/): Absolutely tragic: an Amish woman, and her unborn child, died after a horse accident at a home in Lisbon, New York (St. Lawrence County). This happened last Wednesday, but is just being reported now. Here are the details via WWNY: TOWN OF LISBON, New York (WWNY) - An Amish woman who was 7 months pregnant
- [Amish Autumn Scenes, Pumpkins, Halloween & More (29 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-autumn-scenes-pumpkins-halloween-and-more-29-photos/): With the air crisp and the calendar about to leave October behind, I thought it would be a nice time to look back at fall-related posts we've featured here over the years. Check out these beautiful photos by Bill Coleman and others, a look at the Amish and Halloween, and more below. I hope you're
- [Jacob Hochstetler Mural Memorializes Tragic Attack & Nonresistance Lesson For Amish & Others](https://amishamerica.com/jacob-hochstetler-mural-memorializes-tragic-attack-nonresistance-lesson-for-amish-others/): The Jacob Hochstetler story is one well-known in Amish circles, as an example of one Amish man's steadfast faith and commitment to Anabaptist principles of nonresistance. Hochstetler lost his wife and two children in a brutal wartime attack - but refused to defend himself or to allow his sons to use force against the attackers,
- [Amish Buggy Hits Another Buggy in DUI Wreck; Parents Gave Alcohol To Teen Driver](https://amishamerica.com/amish-buggy-hits-another-buggy-in-dui-wreck-parents-provided-alcohol-to-teen-driver/): This is not the type of buggy wreck story we are accustomed to seeing here. And fortunately, it sounds like the injured young man will recover. But it does shine a light on questionable behaviors found in some Amish circles. This story comes to us from the Amish settlement in Adams County, Indiana - which
- [11 Photos Giving A Captivating Glimpse of An Off-The-Beaten-Path Amish Community](https://amishamerica.com/11-photos-giving-a-captivating-glimpse-of-an-off-the-beaten-path-amish-community/): Today Don Burke take us into one of Missouri's many smaller Amish settlements. This one is at Harwood in Vernon County, MO. Vernon County is in the western side of the state on the Kansas border. These photos are a nice reminder that there are many more Amish locations out there besides the better-known, larger
- [Nine Months Later, Man Charged with Homicide in Christmas Day DUI Buggy Crash (Wisconsin)](https://amishamerica.com/nine-months-later-man-charged-with-homicide-in-christmas-day-dui-buggy-crash-wisconsin/): Christmas Day, 2024. Amish couple Henry and Ruth Bontrager, both aged 29, were out in their buggy around 6pm in the sizeable Amish community at Hillsboro, Wisconsin (Vernon County). Perhaps they had been out visiting family, and were on the way home, or to another relative's place. Visiting family on the holidays is a popular
- [New from Third Fret Harmony: "In The Palm Of Your Hand"](https://amishamerica.com/new-from-third-fret-harmony-in-the-palm-of-your-hand/): Third Fret Harmony, who earlier this year brought us their versions of "Sing Me Back Home" and “Sing Me A Song About Jesus” are back with a new song. This time it's a more contemporary choice - "In The Palm Of Your Hand". This one was written by Ron Block and first recorded in the
- [Inside an Amish Pole Barn Home (with Farm Stand) - 20 Photos](https://amishamerica.com/inside-an-amish-pole-barn-home-with-farm-stand-20-photos/): I suppose the trendy word for this type of home is "barndominium", but the listing simply describes it as a pole barn with living quarters, and that's what I'll go with too. This property address is in Remus, Michigan (Mecosta County). The county has a pair of Amish settlements (though this may actually be a
- [Be Aware: Amish Wedding Season Is Happening Now](https://amishamerica.com/be-aware-amish-wedding-season-is-happening-now/): Officials in one Maryland county are getting a message out to the public - one that's relevant not only for their part of the country, but for many others. For safety's sake, the community wants people to be aware of Amish wedding season, going on now in the Amish settlement at St. Mary's County, MD.
- [Box Truck Hits Buggy - After Buggy Fails To Yield; Three Amish Children Injured (Wisconsin)](https://amishamerica.com/box-truck-hits-buggy-after-buggy-fails-to-yield-three-amish-children-injured-wisconsin/): When it comes to buggy accidents, we tend to focus on the more egregious incidents, when bad drivers clearly are at fault. But it goes without saying that motor vehicle drivers aren't always to blame. Operators of horse-drawn vehicles bear their own responsibility on the road. And sometimes they are the reason for an accident
- [Four Years & $40,000: Twin Sister Sentenced For Crash Which Took Two Amish Girls' Lives (Updated: Samantha Apologizes)](https://amishamerica.com/four-years-40000-dollars-twin-sister-sentenced-for-crash-which-took-two-amish-girls-lives/): Samantha Jo Petersen's sentence was delivered earlier today. Samantha pleaded guilty in July for her role in a September 2023 crash which killed two Amish girls in Fillmore County, Minnesota. Samantha was driving an SUV which rear-ended the buggy the girls were traveling in along with two other siblings. Irma Miller (11) and Wilma Miller
- [Amish Man Killed In Forklift Accident (Missouri)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-man-killed-in-forklift-accident-missouri/): A tragic accident happened yesterday morning in Macon County, Missouri - and not one you might expect to see involving Amish people. More from KTVO: WEST OF ETHEL, Mo. — A member of a northeast Missouri Amish community was killed in a Macon County forklift crash Tuesday morning. The tragedy happened just before 7:30 a.m. on
- [Man, Woman & Child Life-Flighted Following Buggy Wreck; Horse Put Down. Driver Cited for "Following Too Closely" (New York)](https://amishamerica.com/man-woman-horse-put-down-driver-cited-for-following-too-closely-new-york/): Yates County, New York saw a bad buggy wreck yesterday afternoon, leaving three seriously injured and a horse dead. But these (in all likelihood) weren't Amish victims. Yates County is home to an Old Order Mennonite population. Old Order Mennonites typically use horse-drawn vehicles similar to those of the Amish. It's a reminder that not
- [The Road Between Worlds: Navigating Boundaries as an Amish Taxi Driver](https://amishamerica.com/navigating-boundaries-as-an-amish-taxi-driver/): Haley Straw is back with the fourth installment on what it’s like to be an Amish taxi driver. Here’s part one, part two and part three if you missed them. Setting Boundaries, Asking Questions Edna called one day and asked if I was available on October 10th. “Yes,” I said. “Great,” she replied. “We’d like
- [Dozens of Amish Pick Up & Move Another Barn (14 Images)](https://amishamerica.com/dozens-of-amish-pick-up-move-another-barn-14-images/): It's been a little while since we've seen a good Amish barn move. This one is courtesy of Jamie Dinger on Facebook, and looks like it happened back in September. Going through the many comments, it seems this was somewhere in Iowa. It's unclear where however, suggestions include the Bloomfield area, Kalona, and northeast Iowa.
- [Amos Raber with Ben & Rose: "Fill My Cup, Lord" (Video)](https://amishamerica.com/amos-raber-with-ben-rose-fill-my-cup-lord-video/): This tune is another pairing of Ben & Rose with Amos Raber. We've actually heard them already together on this track - but without the video. It's another nice one, which is described on Amos's channel like this: Fill My Cup, Lord is a great gospel song that beautifully portrays a heart seeking for the
- [Amish Taxi Driving: When The Rules Get Bent - Or Broken](https://amishamerica.com/amish-taxi-driving-when-the-rules-get-bent-or-broken/): Haley Straw returns today with the third installment on what it’s like to be an Amish taxi driver. Here’s part one and part two if you missed them. Where's your favorite place to travel by car? For me, it might be to visit family, a thrift shop, hike, or even head to a place of
- [Indiana Amish Auction Scenes: Part Two (12 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/indiana-amish-auction-scenes-part-two-12-photos/): Last week we enjoyed some photos from the most recent Yoder's Consignment Auction in northern Indiana, courtesy of Jim Halverson. Here is part two of that set. This is one of the larger auctions in the area and draws a crowd. Amish auctions are great to attend - even just for the atmosphere and the
- [Sheriff: EZ Pass-Style Buggy Alert System Could Save Amish Lives](https://amishamerica.com/sheriff-ez-pass-style-buggy-alert-system-could-save-amish-lives/): Following numerous serious car-buggy crashes in his state, a Virginia sheriff is proposing that a new light system - triggered by passing Amish buggies - could warn drivers of horse-drawn travelers on the roads ahead of them. Similarly to how flashing lights draw attention to upcoming stop signs on secondary highways, a flashing light system
- [David Luthy 1941 - 2025](https://amishamerica.com/david-luthy-1941-2025/): I was informed yesterday that David Luthy had passed away earlier in the morning. Among other things, David was an Amish historian, founder and maintainer of the Heritage Historical Library, and an editor and contributor to Family Life, one of the most well-known and influential publications in the Amish and Plain Anabaptist world. Personally, he
- [Amish Man Built Barn Without Permit; Township Says "Tear It Down"](https://amishamerica.com/amish-man-built-barn-without-permit-township-says-tear-it-down/): The Township calls this a "recurring issue": people - it seems they mean primarily Amish people - building structures such as horse barns without following the rules. The current matter involves a man in East Earl Township Earl Township* (Lancaster County, PA), reported a few days ago at Lancaster Online. *Corrected: the township in question
- [Three Kentucky Buggy Crashes: Amish 19-Year-Old Killed In Van Collision; Hit & Run Leaves 3 Injured, One Seriously](https://amishamerica.com/three-kentucky-buggy-crashes-amish-19-year-old-killed-in-van-collision-hit-run-leaves-3-injured-one-seriously/): There have been a spate of car-buggy crashes reported in Kentucky over the past several days. Some quite serious, starting with this wreck in central Kentucky which claimed a young man's life. 1. 19-Year-Old Killed in Casey County First, the most serious (at least at this point). It involved a van and a buggy driven
- [New From Ben & Rose: "Twilight is Stealing"](https://amishamerica.com/ben-and-rose-twilight-is-stealing/): We got an intriguing short clip of this song back in August. So I'm happy to see Ben and Rose release the full studio song with video. I found it intriguing due to its background. It's a hymn written by Aldine Kieffer and B.C. Unseld way back in the late 1800s. That's not so old
- [Inside A Tennessee Amish Home With "Unrivaled Views" (18 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-a-tennessee-amish-home-with-unrivaled-views-18-photos/): This Tennessee Amish home is said in the description to have "unrivaled views". And further: "Glorious and amazing views in every direction. Seriously. This is not an over exaggeration." That's a pretty strong claim..."unrivaled" literally means the best of anything of its kind. So, I doubt that word is technically true. Real estate sales involves
- [Fourth Man Arrested In Amish Home Invasion...And It's An Amish Taxi Driver](https://amishamerica.com/fourth-man-arrested-amish-home-invasion-its-an-amish-taxi-driver/): A man whom the Amish trusted - and paid - to drive them places was actually working against them. While he operated as an Amish taxi driver, his side occupation was allegedly helping criminals target some of those very same Amish homes for burglary. That's according to new reports and allegations about a fourth man arrested in connection with
- [Rules of the Road: Five Approved Uses of an Amish Taxi Driver](https://amishamerica.com/five-approved-uses-of-amish-taxi-driver-rules-of-the-road/): Haley Straw returns today with the second installment on what it's like to be an Amish taxi driver. And here's part one if you missed it. In my last article, I shared what it’s like behind the wheel as an Amish taxi driver. Today, I want to look at the other side of the story:
- [Caught: Two More Arrested In Amish Robbery & Assault Case (Ohio)](https://amishamerica.com/caught-two-more-men-arrested-in-amish-robbery-assault-case-ohio/): Looks like they got the rest of them. At yesterday's press conference on the brutal home invasion and assault of an Amish man and his eight-year-old son, we learned that one of three suspects - a man named Bradford James Hosler - had been arrested. Geauga County, Ohio Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand stated then that "I
- [Amish Man & Young Son Assaulted, Tasered & Robbed In Brutal Home Invasion (Ohio)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-man-and-eight-year-old-son-assaulted-tasered-robbed-brutal-home-invasion-ohio/): In a crime described as "appalling", an Amish man and his son were assaulted by three assailants last Thursday, and the home robbed. The perpetrators threatened to kill the victims, and even attempted to abduct the eight-year-old boy. This happened in Middlefield Township in the Geauga County, Ohio Amish settlement. A blurb on this incident
- [Amish Woman Killed When Buggy Hit By Semi On Highway (Ohio)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-woman-killed-when-buggy-hit-by-semi-on-highway-ohio/): This happened yesterday in Geauga County, Ohio. Both occupants of the buggy were ejected when hit by a semi. The 62-year-old Amishman who was driving survived the initial crash. His passenger - who, having the same last name, was likely a relative (his wife?) - did not. Reported in the Geauga County Maple Leaf: A
- [Trial For Man Who Hit "Multiple" Amish Children Riding Bikes, Killing A 10-Year-Old Boy](https://amishamerica.com/trial-for-man-who-hit-multiple-amish-children-on-bicycles-killing-10-year-old-boy/): This is one of the more gut-wrenching incidents you'll come across leading to a young Amish person's death. It happened last December. A 29-year-old Vicksburg, Michigan man drove his pickup into a group of Amish children who were headed to the local schoolhouse. It was said he "didn't see the children." From WZZM 13: Investigators
- [The 10 States With The Most Amish Communities](https://amishamerica.com/10-states-most-amish-settlements/): Which states have the most Amish communities? I should first note that this post is about individual communities, also known as settlements, not total Amish population. The two have some correlation, but are not the same thing. Scroll down or jump to list Amish Settlement Facts An Amish settlement is a distinct geographic location where
- [Amish Farmer On Ventilator - After Being Hit By Pickup Truck (Lancaster County) UPDATE: Omar Is Off The Ventilator](https://amishamerica.com/amish-farmer-on-ventilator-after-being-hit-by-pickup-truck-lancaster-county/): This happened at the beginning of the month - though this is the first time I'm seeing it reported on. An Amish farmer and father of five was struck by a pickup truck while walking home in Lancaster County, PA - leaving him in what sounds like quite bad shape. CBS 21 is picking up reporting on
- [Report: Amish Acres Is Coming Back...As Amish Acres](https://amishamerica.com/report-amish-acres-is-coming-back-as-amish-acres/): That's the gist of the just-out report by WSBT on the former Amish Acres property, long a mainstay of the Nappanee, Indiana community. Now, I don't know if the new name will in fact be "Amish Acres" - maybe it will - but it sounds like it is coming back in the same spirit, regardless.
- [Behind The Van Door: Inside The World Of An Amish Taxi Driver](https://amishamerica.com/inside-the-world-of-an-amish-taxi-driver/): Haley Straw guest posts today about her experiences as an Amish taxi driver. This is the first of a planned series of posts giving you an insider's look at Amish taxi driving. A special thanks to Haley for sharing with us. I'll always remember standing in my Amish friends', the Millers', front yard, our little
- [Jeep Smashes Buggy, Ejects Family Of 9 Amish (Indiana)](https://amishamerica.com/jeep-smashes-buggy-ejects-family-of-nine-amish-indiana/): There were six juveniles in the buggy, and everyone was ejected when rear-ended by a Jeep. The father had to be airlifted to hospital, while five of the children went there by ambulance. This happened late last night - around 11 PM - in the large Adams County, Indiana (Berne) Amish settlement. From WZBD: BERNE
- [20 Photos That Capture The Charm Of An Amish Pumpkin (& Mum) Auction](https://amishamerica.com/20-photos-that-capture-the-charm-of-an-amish-pumpkin-mum-auction/): This is a look back at a neat photo set, and timely given the season. Here we have a pumpkins, gourds, and mums sale held at the North Missouri Produce Auction (Jamesport, MO community). This particular set of photos, by Don Burke, dates to 2018 (*update: in fact, Don has brought to my attention that
- [Judge May Throw Out Samuel Hochstetler's Confession In Murder Of Amish Woman Rosanna Kinsinger](https://amishamerica.com/judge-may-throw-out-samuel-hochstetlers-confession-in-murder-of-amish-woman/): This was not really reported on much at the time, but Samuel Hochstetler - charged with the murder of Amish woman Rosanna Kinsinger, who was found dead in her Ohio home in March - was back in court in late September. And apparently his legal team argued for his confession of the killing to be
- [Driver Without A License Tries To Pass Buggy At "Unsafe Speed", Fails. Two Amish People Ejected (New York)](https://amishamerica.com/driver-without-a-license-tries-to-pass-buggy-at-unsafe-speed-fails-two-amish-people-ejected/): So another unsafe driver sent Amish people flying out of their buggy and into the hospital. This one happened in Herkimer County, New York. And it's another case of driving too fast - and failing to pass. The injuries are "non-life-threatening", which I will mention once again, does not mean "non-serious". Here's what happened, according
- [Amish Buggy "Obliterated" On Town's Hill Notorious For Accidents (Michigan)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-buggy-obliterated-on-towns-hill-notorious-for-accidents-michigan/): So another buggy wreck happened in Clare County, Michigan - but this one is a bit different from others, as it happened in the town of Clare. And it happened at a spot apparently notorious for accidents - a place in town called "Hamburger Hill". The crash happened September 27, so it's been a few
- [Bull Attacks Man At Amish Farm](https://amishamerica.com/bull-attacks-man-at-amish-farm/): Not a headline I'd seen before, but it happens. A man was apparently attacked and rammed by a bull on an Amish farm in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania earlier this afternoon. The article does not actually identify the man as Amish - but that would be the assumption (though in theory it could be a non-Amish
- [Inside A Cozy Classic Amish Farm Home (20 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-a-cozy-classic-amish-farm-home-20-photos/): Wonderful photos from another Minnesota Amish home. There have been quite a few of these lately, all in the state's largest Amish settlement in the Harmony/Canton area of Fillmore County, MN. As you can see from the aerial photos, this property has a neat and "cozy" layout on an 18-acre lot. And the home itself,
- [Ben & Rose Short Clip: "Slowly But Surely" (Live - In The Kitchen)](https://amishamerica.com/ben-rose-short-clip-slowly-but-surely-live-in-the-kitchen/): Here's a neat little clip of Ben & Rose's breakout song, their cover of "Slowly But Surely". This time they're playing it live "in the kitchen", in what looks like a relaxing, no-shoes-necessary session :) This is another short one, at just 20 seconds long. So they just get through a couple of lines. But
- [Amish Father & 3-Year-Old In Coma Following Deadly Crash; Fundraiser To Help Family](https://amishamerica.com/amish-father-three-year-old-coma-deadly-crash-fundraiser-to-help-family/): This is a follow-up on the story of the crash in central PA which claimed two Amish children's lives on Sunday night. A family friend (I assume) has started a GoFundMe for the Zook family, who are victims in the Northumberland County, PA crash. The GoFundMe provides some updates as well as photos. First, more
- [SUV Hits Buggy Head-On: Three Amish People Injured, Horse Killed (Indiana)](https://amishamerica.com/suv-hits-buggy-head-on-three-amish-people-injured-horse-killed-indiana/): This one happened Friday afternoon in Middlebury, Indiana (in the Elkhart-LaGrange community). And yes, it sounds - and looks - like a bad one. From WSBT: MIDDLEBURY, Ind. (WSBT) — Three people, including a juvenile, were sent to the hospital after their horse drawn buggy was hit Friday afternoon in Middlebury. Middlebury Police say the
- [Amish Mother Ruth Miller Denied Bail, Will Remain In Jail. But: Judge Leaves Door Open For Review](https://amishamerica.com/amish-mother-ruth-miller-denied-bail-will-remain-in-jail-but-judge-leaves-door-open-for-review/): Amish mother Ruth Miller, charged with aggravated murder in the death of her four-year-old son Vincen Miller along with related charges, had a bail hearing today at Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court in New Philadelphia, Ohio. I had a chance to listen to parts of the hearing, which lasted nearly four hours. You can view
- [Two Amish Children Killed After Driver Falls Asleep At The Wheel & Hits Buggy (Pennsylvania)](https://amishamerica.com/two-amish-children-killed-after-driver-falls-asleep-at-the-wheel-hits-buggy-pennsylvania/): Two Amish children, ages seven and nine, are dead in central Pennsylvania after a Sunday night rear-end crash. The 39-year-old driver told police that "believes he fell asleep" while driving. The location is Northumberland County, PA, where there is an Amish community of around 600 in the vicinity of Dornsife. More from PennLive: The crash happened
- [Distracted Driver Hits Buggy; Injures 7 Amish, Some Seriously (Virginia)](https://amishamerica.com/distracted-driver-hits-buggy-injures-seven-amish-some-seriously-virginia/): Another distracted driver has caused a serious buggy crash, this time in Richmond County, Virginia. It happened yesterday afternoon (September 28). A total of seven people in the buggy were injured. Two of them sound like they're in bad shape. From WTVR: RICHMOND COUNTY, Va. — Two people were medflighted after a car crashed into
- [Truck Hits Buggy, Sending Two Amish Victims To Hospital (Ohio)](https://amishamerica.com/truck-hits-buggy-sending-two-amish-victims-to-hospital-ohio/): A car left a buggy looking pretty badly, as you can see in the above photo - in a crash which happened Wednesday in Ashland County, Ohio. Ashland County Pictures does a great job as usual reporting this with numerous photos of the accident scene. The driver of the buggy and a teenage passenger both
- [Ben & Rose: "Roses In The Snow" (Full Song & Video)](https://amishamerica.com/ben-and-rose-roses-in-the-snow-full-song-video/): We've heard this one before - but now there's a video for it as well. In July Ben & Rose put out a short demo clip of "Roses In The Snow", after which the studio version was released on their album "Slowly But Surely". This song was made famous by Emmylou Harris and was written
- [Yes, There Is Autism Among The Amish. But How Much?](https://amishamerica.com/yes-there-is-autism-among-the-amish-but-how-much/): Do we find autism among the Amish? This topic has, predictably, been all over the news this week. That's because of comments made by President Trump at a press conference on Tuesday. The most relevant bit of the conference was this segment (emphasis added): Donald Trump 00:03:07-00:03:36 (30 sec) "And the first day, all of
- [70-Year-Old Amish Man in Hospital After Buggy Wreck; Sun Glare Likely A Factor in Crash (Michigan)](https://amishamerica.com/70-year-old-amish-man-in-hospital-after-buggy-wreck-sun-glare-likely-a-factor-in-crash-michigan/): Gladwin County, Michigan was the scene of another buggy accident yesterday. An older Amish man was sent to the hospital after his buggy was hit. Fortunately his injuries are described as "non-life-threatening". More from Mid Michigan Now: GLADWIN COUNTY, Mich.— On September 24th around 7:15 p.m. the Gladwin County Sheriff's Office were called to investigate
- [Amish Finish Final "Tiny Home" For NC Hurricane Victims - But Work Continues](https://amishamerica.com/amish-finish-final-tiny-home-for-nc-hurricane-victims-but-work-continues/): The Amish and Mennonite outreach to hurricane victims in North Carolina has been well-documented in the media. We've looked at several examples here - such as their work in Bat Cave, NC, or their efforts in the heavily-damaged tourist town of Chimney Rock. Plain groups have been an essential part of a wider effort (not
- [Feel Good: Amish Serve Dinner To Raise Money For Firefighters (Michigan)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-serve-dinner-to-raise-money-for-firefighters-michigan/): And not just dinner. They also put on an auction in support of their local volunteer firefighting force. The event was held at an Amish farm in Quincy, Michigan - the Jake Steury family farm. More from the Coldwater Daily Reporter: QUINCY TWP., MI — The Amish communities in Quincy and Butler townships served up
- [Scenes From A Big Amish Auction (15 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/scenes-from-a-big-amish-auction-15-photos/): These were taken at Yoder's Consignment Auction, a big Amish-heavy event in northern Indiana. It's held twice annually - the second Saturday in April and in September - not too far from Shipshewana, IN. Jim Halverson was in attendance and shares some excellent photos (which, if you've been here awhile, you know is par for
- [Inside A Picture-Perfect Pennsylvania Amish Home (22 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-picture-perfect-pennsylvania-amish-home-22-photos/): While the exterior is on the plain side (it's a plainer community), and a bit unfinished...the interior of this Pennsylvania Amish home is simply picture-perfect. The community is New Wilmington, PA, where we've gone for several previous looks at Amish homes. You'll see as we look inside the home lots of the characteristic shades of
- [Man Attempts To Abduct 9-Year-Old Amish Boy; Boy Escapes, Abductor Still At Large (UPDATE: Vehicle Photo Released)](https://amishamerica.com/man-attempts-to-abduct-9-year-old-amish-boy-boy-escapes-abductor-at-large/): This stomach-turning story is just appearing on news feeds. Yesterday, a young Amish boy apparently escaped an abduction attempt in Juniata County, Pennsylvania. The alleged abductor is still at large. More from ABC 27: JUNIATA COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — A boy in Juniata County was able to get away from a man who forced him
- [The Amish Are Driving Their E-Scooters Dangerously - Says One Lancaster Local](https://amishamerica.com/lancaster-local-the-amish-are-driving-their-e-scooters-dangerously/): That's according to one letter to the editor appearing at Lancaster Online - from a local person living in the heart of Lancaster County, PA. The letter-writer, Dennis, sounds fed up with what he describes as Amish e-transport riders being "oblivious" to traffic. And he has a few things to say about what he's seen
- [Amish Youth Sing "We're Not Home Yet Children"](https://amishamerica.com/amish-youth-sing-were-not-home-yet-children/): Here's another beautiful song from an Amish youth group singing. If the backdrop looks familiar, that might be because we previously heard two other songs from this same singing - “‘Tis Marvelous and Wonderful” and “I’m On The Winning Side” The video is by P. Thomas, who has an extensive collection of live recorded music
- [Amish Youth: Out & About On A Saturday Evening](https://amishamerica.com/amish-youth-out-about-on-a-saturday-evening/): Jim Halverson sends along a few fun photos from this past Saturday evening in northern Indiana. Basically, some shots of open buggies filled with Amish youth. They all seem to be having a blast, and happily waving to the camera. Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon/evening are the times you'll see a lot of youth out
- [Former Amish Acres Sold For $2.5 Million in "Bidding War"; Auctioneer Hints At Its Future Use](https://amishamerica.com/former-amish-acres-sold-for-2-5-million-in-bidding-war-auctioneer-hints-at-its-future-use/): The Barns at Nappanee (formerly Amish Acres) was sold last week at auction - for the second time in five years. Via the Goshen News: NAPPANEE — The former Amish Acres property, later known as The Barns at Nappanee, has been sold. An auction for the property, which includes 10 buildings across 54,000 square feet
- [Third Fret Harmony (With Rose): "I Want To Stroll Over Heaven With You"](https://amishamerica.com/third-fret-harmony-with-rose-i-want-to-stroll-over-heaven-with-you/): Here's a song from Third Fret Harmony which dates back a couple of years. This is from the time when they were recording songs live on their own, prior to making produced studio music. But it's a neat one to see as it includes all three siblings in the group - Mike, Marty, and Rose
- [The 11 Midwestern States With An Amish Population](https://amishamerica.com/11-midwestern-states-with-an-amish-population/): We've looked at the 12 Southern, 5 Western, and 4 Northeastern states with Amish populations. Finally, today we review the 11 Midwestern states with Amish communities. The Midwest as a region has a higher percentage of its states with Amish populations (11 of 12) than any other. In some sense it is both the "US
- [Pickup Truck Attempts To Pass Buggy...And Fails. Amish Driver Ejected & Horse Injured (Maine)](https://amishamerica.com/pickup-truck-attempts-to-pass-buggy-fails-amish-driver-ejected-horse-injured-maine/): That buggy and debris trail look pretty bad. Fortunately, the Amish victim's injuries are called "non-life-threatening". Hopefully the same can be said for the horse, but that's less clear (more on that below). This happened yesterday (Friday, September 12) in a community in Aroostook County, Maine. This massive county is home to no less than
- [Amish Funeral: An Outsider's Observations](https://amishamerica.com/amish-funeral-an-outsiders-observations/): In an article for Ashland County Pictures, Joe Lyons gives a poignant look at an Amish funeral from an outside observer's eyes. That's paired with some beautiful photos of the procession to the cemetery. This procession happened on State Route 96 in Ashland County. The area outside the city of Ashland is home to a
- [Yes - Amish Buggies DO Have To Stop At Stop Signs...](https://amishamerica.com/yes-amish-buggies-do-have-to-stop-at-stop-signs/): Maybe you've seen it as well - an Amish buggy blowing through a stop sign. A woman named Katrina recently noticed just that - in fact, she witnessed two Amish buggies running stop signs in her Missouri community. So she submitted a simple question to a local news station: "Are Amish buggies required to follow
- ["Ultra-Rare" Genetic Disorder Discovered To Be 4,500 Times More Common Among Amish](https://amishamerica.com/ultra-rare-genetic-disorder-discovered-to-be-4500-times-more-common-among-amish/): Due to the unusual nature of the Amish population, they frequently serve as a source for medical discoveries, especially related to genetic research. These can be discoveries on the "positive" side - such as the gene mutation in one Amish community which accounts for an over 10% longer lifespan, or one linked to lower levels
- [Amish Resident Cares For Lost One-Eyed Pony - As Deputies Seek Owner (Kentucky)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-care-for-lost-one-eyed-pony-as-deputies-seek-owner-kentucky/): Not your everyday story here, but one that hopefully will have a happy ending soon. This story comes to us from Christian County, Kentucky - a county with a significant presence of both Amish and Mennonites. A lost pony - which happens to have only one eye - is currently waiting in temporary digs for
- [Middlefield Original Amish Cheese Recall Expanded: Listeria Possible In More Products & States](https://amishamerica.com/middlefield-original-amish-cheese-recall-expanded-listeria-possible-in-more-products/): Back in August, we learned that over 5,000 lbs of cheese produced by Middlefield Original - a Geauga County, Ohio co-op comprised almost entirely of Amish farmers - were potentially contaminated with listeria. That announcement covered a total of five cheese products which were produced in June and July, and distributed in Ohio in July
- [Amish & Mennonite Investors Lose Big Yet Again - This Time, In Alleged $770 Million ATM Ponzi Scheme](https://amishamerica.com/amish-and-mennonites-lose-big-yet-again-this-time-in-alleged-770-million-atm-ponzi-scheme/): It's looking like Amish and Mennonite investors are once again victims in a big investment fraud case. It was reported last week that Lancaster County, PA businessman Daryl Heller is being charged by the US Department of Justice with multiple counts of fraud - for his role in an ATM investment operation being described as a
- [Amish Mother Ruth Miller Pleads Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity (UPDATE: Attorney Speaks, Citing "Mental Defect")](https://amishamerica.com/amish-mother-ruth-miller-pleads-not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity/): Holmes County, Ohio Amish mother Ruth Miller had her arraignment this afternoon in Tuscarawas Common Pleas Court. Miller is charged with aggravated murder, among other charges, in the death of her four-year-old son Vincen Miller at Atwood Lake. There are a couple of pieces of news emerging from the events of the day - the
- [The 4 Northeastern States With An Amish Population](https://amishamerica.com/4-northeastern-states-with-an-amish-population/): Continuing our series on regional Amish populations (if you missed them, read more on Amish in the South and West), today we look at the Northeast. In this region of nine states, we find two of the most significant "Amish states" - and two with quite small, but growing, populations. Is the Northeast, in general,
- [New from Ben & Rose: "Roses In The Snow" (UPDATE: Full Song Now Out)](https://amishamerica.com/new-from-ben-and-rose-roses-in-the-snow-short-clip/): UPDATE: We first heard this short clip of "Roses in the Snow" (see below) back in July. Ben & Rose have now released the full song - as the first track on their debut album. You'll find that at the end of this post. Ben and Rose are just out with a teaser of a
- [22 States Back The Amish In School Vaccine Fight - But Will Supreme Court Hear Their Case?](https://amishamerica.com/22-states-back-the-amish-in-school-vaccine-fight-supreme-court/): We've been following the story of the Amish schools who faced fines reaching six figures for failing to adhere to New York's vaccine requirement for school age children. The children in question were Amish, and the schools in question were Amish-run schools. Previously, New York provided a religious exemption, but that ended in 2019. The
- [The 5 Western States With An Amish Population (2025)](https://amishamerica.com/the-4-western-states-with-an-amish-population-2018/): Following our look at the 12 Southern states with Amish communities, today we look to the traditionally least-populated-by-Amish region, the West. As Steven Nolt describes in A History of the Amish, Amish arrived in America in two main waves, first settling primarily in Pennsylvania, and later in the Midwest. Over their history on multiple occasions
- [Amish Lake Deaths: Body Cam Footage Shows Ruth Miller's Strange Statements, Behavior; Lawyer Suggests Insanity Defense. UPDATE: Miller Indicted On Seven Charges](https://amishamerica.com/body-cam-footage-shows-amish-mother-ruth-miller-strange-statements-behavior-lawyer-suggests-insanity-defense/): Amish mother Ruth Miller was booked into jail Monday, charged with aggravated murder in the death of her young son Vincen, among other charges. This followed a weeklong stay at a mental health facility. Today, it appears news outlets were able to acquire body cam footage from August 23, when authorities were called to Atwood
- [Second Kentucky Man Charged With Sex Crimes - After Mennonite Community Tips Off Police](https://amishamerica.com/second-kentucky-man-charged-with-sex-crimes-after-mennonite-community-tips-off-police/): This is a disturbing story, but one that needs covering, for multiple reasons. Fresh reports describe what appears to be a second man from the same plain Mennonite community being charged with sex-related crimes within the span of a few weeks. And in this second instance just being reported, it seems that action by the
- [Amish Mother Ruth Miller, Facing Murder Charges In Death of 4-Year-Old Son, Booked Into Jail; No Bail Set (Yet)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-mother-ruth-miller-murder-charges-death-of-4-year-old-son-booked-into-jail-no-bail-set-yet/): Amish mother Ruth R. Miller was booked into jail on Monday, following a stay at a mental health facility. Miller has been charged with two counts of aggravated murder in the death of her four-year-old son Vincen, following events at a Tuscarawas County, Ohio lake in which she allegedly threw the boy into the water
- [Behind The Scenes At An Amish Horse Festival (32 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/behind-the-scenes-at-an-amish-horse-festival-32-photos/): We've got a nice photo set from the annual Amish horse festival Horse Progress Days, courtesy of Jim Halverson. The latest edition took place in Clare County, Michigan, in July. If you missed it, you can also check out Milo Miller's set of photos from the event, or this write-up on it. Jim's photos are
- [Foul Play Suspected As 4-Year-Old Amish Boy Found Dead In Lake; Mother Made "Concerning Statements"; Husband Remains Missing (UPDATE: Husband's Body Found In Lake)](https://amishamerica.com/foul-play-suspected-4-year-old-amish-boy-dead-in-lake-mother-made-concerning-statements-husband-remains-missing/): This is a truly bizarre and disturbing story involving a family from the Holmes County, Ohio Amish community. A four-year-old Amish boy's body was recovered from a local recreational lake Saturday - while the boy's father remains missing. And the Amish mother has come under suspicion, after it was determined she intentionally drove a golf
- [Amish Wagon Wreck: Eight People Ejected; Horse Killed (New York)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-wagon-wreck-eight-people-ejected-horse-killed-new-york/): This was first reported yesterday - but with scarce details. Now it's known that a crash in Herkimer County, New York, ejected eight Amish people from a wagon, with a six-year-old boy being hospitalized. A horse was also killed in the crash. From Syracuse.com: Danube, N.Y. — Eight people were ejected from a horse-drawn wagon
- [Amish Flock To Montana Radon Mines To Breathe Radioactive Air - For Health Purposes](https://amishamerica.com/amish-flock-to-montana-radon-mines-for-health-treatments/): Many Amish people make use of conventional medicine and health care. At the same time, many are partial to alternative treatments and unconventional approaches to health and wellness (here are five examples). And for some Amish folks, spending time being exposed to radon belongs on that list. A recent story in the Jefferson County, MT
- [The 12 Southern States With An Amish Population](https://amishamerica.com/12-southern-states-with-an-amish-population/): Did you know that the South has more states with an Amish population than any other region? First, there's the question of what defines a region. The South of today is a vast, diverse place. But I think it's safe to say some states seem more traditionally "southern" than others. For instance, is South Carolina
- [12 Great Places to Stay in Ohio Amish Country (Holmes County & Beyond)](https://amishamerica.com/12-great-places-to-stay-ohio-amish-country-holmes-county/): Where Rolling Hills, Handcrafted Traditions, and Amish Hospitality Meet Ohio’s Amish Country, centered around Holmes County, but extending into neighboring counties like Wayne, Tuscarawas, Coshocton, and Stark, is one of the largest Amish communities in the world. Home to around 40,000 Amish people, each year scores of visitors are drawn here by the winding backroads,
- [Amish In This Community Are 3 Times More Likely To Have Diabetes](https://amishamerica.com/amish-in-this-community-are-three-times-more-likely-to-have-diabetes/): Specifically, type 1 diabetes, which most commonly shows up with children and younger people. And as noted we're talking about one community, albeit quite a significant one - the third-largest in the country, in Northern Indiana (Elkhart & LaGrange County). Here's more from WSBT: MIDDLEBURY, Ind. (WSBT) — Researchers in Middlebury are finding hope in
- [Brand New From Ben & Rose: "Farther On"](https://amishamerica.com/new-from-ben-rose-farther-on/): Coinciding with their debut album release today, Ben and Rose have put out a new song and video. And this one, "Farther On", is a great choice as it sounds fantastic. Described as an "old gospel favorite", the Amish couple deliver a great rendition. The song is calm and understated with some delicate playing. In
- [Inside A Small But Vibrant Amish "Shop" Home (17 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-a-small-but-vibrant-amish-shop-home-17-photos/): This charming little place is yet another home in Fillmore County, Minnesota. The county has three separate Amish communities; the best-known and biggest is the Harmony settlement, a Swartzentruber Amish settlement. This home, with a Mabel, MN address, appears to belong to that settlement. Unlike the three previous traditional farm homes from this settlement we've
- [Amish Mother Ruth R. Miller Charged With Aggravated Murder In Death Of 4-Year-Old Son At Lake (UPDATE: Arraignment “Cancelled Until Further Notice”)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-mother-ruth-r-miller-charged-with-aggravated-murder-in-death-of-4-year-old-son-at-lake/): As expected, the Amish mother who allegedly threw her 4-year-old son into the water of a lake, "as an offering to God", has been charged with aggravated murder. Her name has also been revealed as Ruth R. Miller, 40, of Millersburg, Ohio. Many people have already known her identity for several days, but with the
- [Amish 15-Year-Old Ejected From Buggy In Missouri Crash](https://amishamerica.com/amish-15-year-old-ejected-from-buggy-in-missouri-crash/): The Jamesport, Missouri Amish community was the scene of an accident which caused a 15-year-old Amish boy to be ejected from the buggy he was driving. The boy landed in a ditch on the side of the road, sustaining "moderate" injuries in the crash, which happened yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon. More: An Amish buggy crash on
- [Virginia Man Faces "DUI Maiming" & Other Charges In Crash Injuring Six Amish](https://amishamerica.com/virginia-man-faces-dui-maiming-other-charges-in-crash-injuring-six-amish/): This is a follow-up on the buggy crash which happened Sunday evening in Buckingham County, Virginia (Farmville community). Authorities have now released the name of the driver, who is facing an array of charges. From CBS 19: Police say a 2005 GMC Yukon hit the rear of the buggy and initially left the scene of
- [Hit & Run Driver Injures Six Amish, Kills Horse (Virginia)](https://amishamerica.com/hit-run-driver-injures-six-amish-kills-horse-virginia/): Six Amish people were injured - including three juveniles - in the latest buggy wreck in Virginia. This one happened yesterday evening in Buckingham County, VA, (Farmville community) site of previous crashes including one which left eight Amish children orphaned. In this crash it appears that everyone has survived - though some may be seriously
- [Full Album Coming From Ben & Rose: "Slowly But Surely" (The Album) Releases This Friday](https://amishamerica.com/full-album-coming-from-ben-and-rose-slowly-but-surely-the-album-releases-this-friday/): Good news alert - I have been getting this question for months and I'm happy to finally be able to give a positive answer: Ben and Rose plan to release a full album - this Friday! In the new promo clip at bottom, you can hear producer Conrad Fisher talking about the release, accompanied by
- [Amish Mother Of Seven Completes 50-Mile Ultra-Marathon](https://amishamerica.com/amish-mother-of-seven-completes-50-mile-ultra-marathon/): Lancaster County mother of seven Sadie Stoltzfus might fit the mold of "typical Amish mom" in many ways - but in at least one, she stands out. That's because she has a real love of running. This has led her to do some remarkable things - including recently completing a 50-mile "UltraChallenge" race. From the
- [Semi Hits TWO Buggies (One Towing Another); 61-Year-Old Amish Woman Injured](https://amishamerica.com/semi-truck-hits-two-buggies-one-towing-another-61-year-old-amish-woman-injured/): This buggy wreck was both "unusual" and "usual", for lack of a better word. Making it unusual is that the buggy struck was actually towing another buggy. So two buggies were hit. Making it "usual" (at least with how things have gone recently), is that it happened in Michigan, specifically Gladwin County, which has seen
- [Sheriff Briefs Media On Amish Lake Deaths: Couple's 4-Year-Old Son Was "Price To Pay" For Failing Tests of Faith; Mother Expected To Be Charged With Murder](https://amishamerica.com/sheriff-on-amish-lake-deaths-couples-4-year-old-son-was-price-to-pay-for-failing-tests-of-faith-mother-expected-to-be-charged-with-murder/): Tuscarawas County Sheriff Orvis Campell spent about 45 minutes speaking with media this afternoon, laying out what happened at Atwood Lake over the weekend in the series of events which led to the deaths of a four-year-old Amish boy and his father. They have now been identified as Vincen Miller (the boy), and Marcus J.
- [The Budget Newspaper Celebrates 135 Years; 400 Attend "Scribe Gathering"](https://amishamerica.com/the-budget-newspaper-celebrates-135-years-400-attend-scribe-gathering/): There is a nice write-up in Anabaptist World about the Budget newspaper's recent 135-year anniversary (hat-tip to Al in KY), as well as the "Scribe Gathering" - regular meet-ups of the papers writers - which took place the next day. Based in Sugarcreek, Ohio, the Budget was founded way back in 1890 - and has
- [Five Amish Children in Serious-to-Critical Condition After ANOTHER Michigan Crash (Update: 4-Month-Old Baby Dies From Injuries)](https://amishamerica.com/five-amish-children-in-serious-to-critical-condition-after-another-michigan-crash/): I know I've been beating this drum a lot lately...but I really can't believe how many accidents (and some of them not at all accidents) we're seeing reported out of Michigan lately. When I started drawing attention to the seemingly high number of incidents out of the state back in March - and things seem to
- [Sheriff: Amish Father in Ohio Lake Incident Intentionally Drowned Himself; Investigators Believe Mother Put Child In Water](https://amishamerica.com/sheriff-amish-father-in-ohio-lake-incident-intentionally-drowned-himself-investigators-believe-mother-put-child-in-water/): Following the discovery of the body of his 4-year-old son in a recreational lake, an Amish father, previously considered missing, was also found deceased Sunday morning at the lake. Divers discovered the 45-year-old man's body around 50 yards from the dock near where his son was found. Tuscarawas County, Ohio Sheriff Orvis L. Campbell has
- [The Amish Were Fined $118,000 For Refusing Vaccinations In Their Schools. Now They're Appealing To The Supreme Court](https://amishamerica.com/amish-fined-118000-for-refusing-vaccinations-in-schools-now-appealing-to-supreme-court/): Back in March, we looked at the case of three New York Amish schools which were fined a six-figure sum for refusing to comply with state vaccination requirements. In 2019, the three schools were each hit with fines in the tens of thousands of dollars, for a total of $118,000. Just to be clear, these
- [12-Year-Old Amish Boy Killed in Farm Accident - While Discing A Field](https://amishamerica.com/12-year-old-amish-boy-killed-in-farm-accident-while-discing-a-field/): Details are scarce, but a 12-year-old Amish boy was killed yesterday in St. Lawrence County, New York in an accident on an Amish farm. From WWNY: TOWN OF DEKALB, New York (WWNY) - A 12-year-old Amish boy was killed in a farming accident in St. Lawrence County. The sheriff’s office was called to a farm
- [Hang On To Your Hats! An Amish "Buggy Race" (12 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/hang-on-to-your-hats-amish-buggy-race-12-photos/): I want to share a remarkable set of photos captured by Don Burke. Here we see an Amish family in Jamesport, Missouri enjoying a buggy race. So right off the bat: you might be thinking, "is that safe?" Don has addressed that (below). I actually posted one of these photos on Facebook a week or
- [Amish Firewood Business Burns In Early Morning Blaze](https://amishamerica.com/amish-firewood-business-burns-in-early-morning-blaze/): A blaze at an Amish firewood business in Parke County, Indiana required intervention by ten separate fire departments to subdue. Thankfully no one was hurt in the fire, which started in a mechanical room in the wee hours of Tuesday morning. More on the incident via mywabashvalley.com: MARSHALL, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— Ten fire departments responded to
- [Six-Year-Old Amish Boy Killed By Skid Loader](https://amishamerica.com/six-year-old-amish-boy-killed-by-skid-loader/): Just an awful story out of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. An Amish boy lost his life after being hit by the arm of a skid loader, operated by an Amish teenager. From Lancaster Online: A 6-year-old boy was killed in a Paradise Township farming accident Thursday afternoon, according to Pennsylvania State Police. Troopers said they responded
- [(Alleged) Speeding, Intoxicated Driver Hits Buggy, Leaves 6 Amish Injured - Most Of Them Badly Hurt (Michigan Again)](https://amishamerica.com/alleged-intoxicated-driver-hits-buggy-leaves-six-amish-people-injured-michigan-again/): Another week passes, and right on schedule, Michigan shows up in the news with another bad Amish buggy crash. It's apparently another intoxicated driver doing their thing, with the result being six injured Amish people (most of them badly injured), with one needing immediate lifesaving measures. From WZZM: VAN BUREN COUNTY, Michigan — Six people
- [Two Amish Children Airlifted After Crash; Horse Killed (Holmes County, Ohio)](https://amishamerica.com/two-amish-children-airlifted-after-crash-horse-killed-holmes-county-ohio/): A bad accident happened last night in the Holmes County, Ohio Amish community. Two children were seriously injured and had to be airlifted to hospital after the buggy they were traveling in was rear-ended. More details: SUGARCREEK TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WOIO) - The Ohio State Highway Patrol says an Amish couple and their children were hurt
- [Right Place, Right Time: Firefighters At "First Responder Night" Flock From Racetrack To Put Out Amish Home Fire](https://amishamerica.com/firefighters-at-first-responder-night-racetrack-put-out-amish-home-fire/): An Amish home in Clayton, New York went up in flames last week - but thanks in part to a First Responder Night happening at a local racetrack, part of the home was able to be saved. That's because the track was quite near the fire - meaning a heavy response was at the ready.
- [Ohio Amish Co-Op Cheese Recall: Over 5,000 Lbs. May Be Contaminated With Listeria](https://amishamerica.com/ohio-amish-cheese-recall-over-5000-lbs-may-be-contaminated-with-listeria/): An Amish cheese co-op in Geauga County, Ohio has recalled over 5,000 pounds of cheese, over concerns it may have been contaminated with listeria. Middlefield Original Cheese Co-Op announced the recall yesterday, following the discovery of contamination while running its own tests. As noted on this business page for the co-op, it is made up
- [Helping Hand: Local Business Raising Money For Amish Family Who Lost 4-Month-Old Baby Girl in Crash](https://amishamerica.com/helping-hand-local-business-raising-money-for-amish-family-who-lost-4-month-old-baby-girl-in-crash/): After a week of bad news, it's nice to see this story of neighborly love in response to tragedy. Last week we learned of a buggy crash in Montcalm County, Michigan, which left five Amish children in states ranging from "Serious" to "Critical" (injuring their mother as well). If you missed my update coming a day
- [New Short Clip From Ben & Rose: "Twilight Is Stealing"](https://amishamerica.com/new-short-clip-from-ben-rose-twilight-is-stealing/): We've got another new short clip of a presumably upcoming song by Ben & Rose - called "Twilight is Stealing". "Steal" here (I believe) in the sense of the less-commonly-used definition of "to move somewhere quietly or surreptitiously". This song is an older hymn - maybe the oldest they've done so far - written by
- [New from Ben & Rose: "Dream Of Me"](https://amishamerica.com/ben-and-rose-dream-of-me-full-version/): We heard a 23-second demo version of this song back in June. I thought we'd see the full version released soon after that...but they made us wait :D Now Ben and Rose have released the full studio version of "Dream of Me". Sounds like it was worth the wait. The demo clip showcased a great
- [Ben & Rose Join Amos & Margaret Raber on New Song: "Fill My Cup, Lord"](https://amishamerica.com/ben-rose-join-amos-margaret-raber-on-new-song-fill-my-cup-lord/): Ben & Rose previously teamed with Amos Raber on (perhaps my personal favorite of their releases) "Would You Like To Buy Some Flowers". Now they've teamed up again along with Amos' wife Margaret on a new tune called "Fill My Cup, Lord". It's a really nice tune with Christian lyrics, and this rendition has a
- [Amish Van Wreck: Investigators Reveal More Details, Continue Looking Into Crash](https://amishamerica.com/michigan-amish-van-wreck-investigators-reveal-more-details-continue-looking-into-crash/): Investigators are continuing to put together the details of the tragic crash in Tuscola County, Michigan Tuesday, which claimed the lives of five Amish people traveling in a passenger van, and a sixth person in a pickup truck. According to reporting at ABC 12, some additional facts are now known: This Amish group was from
- [Mayor: Amish Builders Reject Permits & Insurance...They Aren't On "A Fair Playing Field"](https://amishamerica.com/mayor-amish-builders-reject-permits-insurance-they-arent-on-a-fair-playing-field/): The mayor of a village in Tioga County, New York is drawing attention to a complaint that has existed for a long time - that Amish contractors don't have to follow the same rules as non-Amish contractors. More: WAVERLY — After tempers flared last month during a Town of Barton meeting in which contentions arose
- [Inside An Amish "Hobby Farm" Home (22 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-a-minnesota-amish-hobby-farm-home-22-photos/): Let's check out another Amish home in the Harmony, Minnesota community. I'll note that this is at least the third Amish home I've come across up for sale online in this conservative Swartzentruber Amish community. Others included this picture-perfect farm home (and dawdihaus), and this "simple & cozy" home. This one is described as a
- [Five Amish Killed In Van Wreck - After Truck Runs Stop Sign](https://amishamerica.com/five-amish-killed-in-van-wreck-after-truck-runs-stop-sign/): Another tragedy involving Amish victims in Michigan - but this time there were no buggies involved. Six people, including five members of an Amish family are confirmed dead after their van they were traveling in was hit by a pickup truck - which ran a stop sign at a rural intersection. This happened in Tuscola County, MI
- [Amish Youth Charged With Killing Amish Woman Gets A Trial Date](https://amishamerica.com/amish-youth-charged-with-killing-amish-woman-gets-a-trial-date/): Samuel L. Hochstetler, an Amish 18-year-old charged with the murder of Amish woman Rosanna Kinsinger (28), recently had some important court dates set regarding his case in Meigs County, Ohio. We now know when he'll go to trial, along with the dates of two other pretrial hearings. From WSAZ: MEIGS COUNTY, Ohio. (WSAZ) - Several
- [Anabaptism At 500 Years: Impressions From The 2025 Conference](https://amishamerica.com/anabaptism-at-500-years-impressions-from-the-2025-conference/): Impressions from the conference "Early Anabaptism in Global Perspective: Past, Present, and Future at 500 Years" As a rural sociologist steeped in statistical analyses of data to test hypotheses, I had my doubts about attending a conference focused on the 500th anniversary of the Anabaptist movement. Too much history for me, I thought! Organized by
- [Somehow, The Amish Family In This Buggy Suffered Only "Minor Injuries"](https://amishamerica.com/somehow-the-amish-family-in-this-buggy-suffered-only-minor-injuries/): This accident happened last week in Brunswick County, Virginia, leading to "minor injuries" for the Amish family in the buggy. But that's not what you'd think when you take a look at the photo: That buggy looks like it's been annihilated. Here's what happened: Amish family members aboard a horse-drawn wagon suffered minor injuries after
- [DUI Hit-And-Run Leaves 3 Amish Children Injured (Kentucky)](https://amishamerica.com/dui-hit-and-run-leaves-3-amish-children-injured-kentucky/): Yesterday evening (July 24), a man (allegedly) driving under the influence hit a buggy in Bath County, Kentucky - and fled. Three Amish children were left lying on the road, injured. From WKYT: SHARPSBURG, Ky. (WKYT) - A Kentucky man is behind bars after an alleged hit-and-run crash with an Amish buggy. Kentucky State Police
- [Authorities Search For Missing Amish Man (Pennsylvania) - UPDATED: Man Found "Alive And Well"](https://amishamerica.com/authorities-search-for-missing-amish-man-pennsylvania/): An Amish man has gone missing in central Pennsylvania's Blair County. He was last seen yesterday (Thursday, June 17) and this is story is just breaking. From WTAJ: TYRONE, Pa. (WTAJ) — Multiple organizations are searching for a missing Amish man in the Sinking Valley area Friday. Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), Lost and Hound and
- [Inside A Michigan Amish Market Store (17 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-a-michigan-amish-market-store-17-photos/): Today Jim Halverson takes us inside a market (and variety store) in the Cass City, Michigan Amish community, which he visited this past Saturday. We had a look at this community in Jim's photo set from last year. It's a community of around 1,000 people. Once you get over a few hundred Amish residents, there
- [New From Amish Group Third Fret Harmony: "Sing Me A Song About Jesus"](https://amishamerica.com/new-from-amish-group-third-fret-harmony-sing-me-a-song-about-jesus/): We've got the second studio song from Third Fret Harmony, which consists of Rose's brother and sister, Mike and Marty. We first saw and heard them here last month performing the classic country song "Sing Me Back Home". In this tune they are back "singing about singing" again - but this time more in the
- [Another Amish Road Death In Michigan. Amish Woman Killed When SUV Rear-Ends Buggy](https://amishamerica.com/another-amish-road-death-in-michigan-amish-woman-killed-when-suv-rear-ends-buggy/): The state of Michigan continues to increase their Amish buggy crash death toll. An Amish woman lost her life after the buggy she was in was rear-ended Friday by an SUV in Gladwin County, MI. More: GLADWIN COUNTY, Mich.— An Amish woman is dead after a buggy she was in was hit from behind on
- [Amish Teen Found Dead In Pond](https://amishamerica.com/amish-15-year-old-found-dead-in-pond/): Tragedy has struck in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where a 15-year-old boy was found dead in a pond. This happened yesterday in the southern end of the community, in Fulton Township. Here's more: LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — First responders, including a drone unit, responded to a pond in Lancaster County to search for a missing
- [Twice in One Community? Amish Children Run Over by AMISH Vehicles...Twice in One Week](https://amishamerica.com/amish-children-run-over-by-amish-vehicles-twice-in-one-week-same-community/): Twice in one week, two small children were run over by horse-drawn Amish vehicles - in the very same Amish community. This is out of Schuyler County, Missouri. The accidents sound quite bad when you read them, and led to serious injuries...but thankfully, it seems both children will be okay. From KTVO: SCHUYLER COUNTY, Mo.
- [Amish Music Couple Ben & Rose: New Song Teaser ("Dream Of Me")](https://amishamerica.com/ben-rose-new-song-teaser-dream-of-me/): About 10 days ago, Amish music couple Ben & Rose released a short clip of a new song on their channel: "Dream of Me" (written by Jimmy Darrell, Raleigh Squires, and Buddy Cannon). I held off from sharing it - because I figured that the release of the Short meant that the full song would
- [Amish Buggy Hit By Truck; Small Child Airlifted With "Serious Injuries" (Ohio)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-buggy-hit-by-dodge-ram-small-child-airlifted-with-serious-injuries-ohio/): This one happened on Tuesday evening in Ashland County, Ohio. A small Amish child had to be airlifted to Akron Children's Hospital. Both drivers - of the Dodge Ram truck, and the buggy involved - are 19 years old. More: MILTON TOWNSHIP — A juvenile passenger in a horse-drawn buggy suffered serious injuries Tuesday evening
- [Woman (Allegedly) Hits Buggy & Flees...Now Faces Felony. Two Amish People "Seriously Injured"](https://amishamerica.com/woman-hits-buggy-flees-is-quickly-found-charged-with-felony-two-amish-people-seriously-injured/): This happened in St. Lawrence County, New York, a heavily-Amish part of the country no stranger to buggy crashes. I guess this person thought they could get away with hitting an Amish buggy...but soon learned otherwise. From localsyr.com: CANTON, N.Y. (WWTI) – A 35-year-old Lisbon woman is facing charges after allegedly leaving the scene of
- ["You Deserve Every Second": Man Who Killed Pregnant Amish Woman Gets His Sentence](https://amishamerica.com/man-who-killed-pregnant-amish-woman-sentenced-to-two-life-terms/): Shawn Cranston was sentenced Monday to two life terms for the killing of Crawford County, Pennsylvania Amish woman Rebekah Byler and her unborn child. Following a four-day trial in June, Cranston was swiftly convicted for the murders of Byler and her unborn girl. Now Cranston will spend the rest of his life in prison for
- [Ohio Amishman Has Survived 14 Buggy Accidents](https://amishamerica.com/ohio-amishman-has-survived-14-buggy-accidents/): Levi Shetler is a member of the conservative Swartzentruber Amish. This group is known for a very low-tech lifestyle. Even other Amish comment on the austerity of their lives and aversion to technology. Last month, Shetler's buggy was hit by a vehicle in his northeastern Ohio community, resulting in the death of a passenger. As it
- [Largest Amish Family Ever?](https://amishamerica.com/largest-amish-family-ever/): With an average of around seven children, Amish families are hefty by modern standards. Farm families tend to be the biggest. A dozen or more children is not rare. But the largest Amish family ever? There's a good chance this was it: John Troyer, who lived near Kokomo, Indiana, had an unusually large family, perhaps
- [Samantha Petersen Pleads Guilty in Crash That Killed Two Amish Girls](https://amishamerica.com/samantha-petersen-pleads-guilty-in-crash-that-killed-two-amish-girls/): A month ago, it was announced that a plea agreement had been arranged for Samantha Petersen, the driver in the crash which took two Amish girl's lives in Fillmore County, Minnesota in 2023. Today, Petersen officially pleaded guilty. From KROC News: Preston, MN (KROC-AM News) - The former Stewartville woman who was behind the wheel
- [Driver Charged With Homicide...18 Months After Crash That Killed Young Amish Man](https://amishamerica.com/driver-charged-with-homicide-18-months-after-crash-that-killed-young-amish-man/): A 21-year-old New York Amish man named Abraham Shetler lost his life in December 2023, when the buggy he was traveling in was struck by a pickup truck. A 19-year-old riding with him faced life-threatening injuries, but survived. Now, the driver who struck the buggy has been arrested - and will face charges. From localsyr.com:
- [ANOTHER Michigan Buggy Wreck: Alleged Drunk Driver Sends 2 Amish To Hospital "Seriously Injured" (UPDATED)](https://amishamerica.com/another-michigan-buggy-wreck-alleged-drunk-driver-sends-two-amish-to-hospital-seriously-injured/): Michigan, what is the deal? It seems like once or twice a month now we have another story of a serious car-buggy road wreck coming out of the Wolverine State - where Amish, of course, end up on the losing end. Reports are coming out over the past hour or two, out of Gladwin County,
- [One Year Later: Suspect CAUGHT For Amish Business Crime Spree](https://amishamerica.com/one-year-later-man-arrested-for-series-of-amish-business-church-burglaries/): This case came on the radar last year in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Over a single week, several Amish businesses - along with non-Amish churches - were burglarized in a series of crimes in this heavily-Amish corner of PA. Now, police believe they have their culprit. From WFMJ: MERCER, Pa. - A Mercer man faces nineteen
- [Vintage Black & White Images of Amish Life (22 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/vintage-images-of-amish-life-22-photos/): The Delaware News Journal is running a great collection of vintage photos of Amish life (link at bottom) in Lancaster County, PA and in the Dover, Delaware community. These photos date back decades and all are in black-and-white. I've pulled a few samples to share with you, but you'll find all of them at the
- [Two Amish Hurt, Horse Killed In Car-Buggy Crash (New York)](https://amishamerica.com/two-amish-hurt-horse-killed-in-car-buggy-crash-new-york/): CLAYTON, NEW YORK: Two Amish people were injured Friday morning when their buggy was rear-ended. This happened in Jefferson County, New York, home to an Amish community of several hundred people. From the WWNY report: Two Amish people get hurt after their horse-drawn buggy was hit by a car this morning. The Jefferson County Sheriff's
- [Inside An Amish "Mini-Barndominium" Home (22 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-an-amish-mini-barndominium-home-22-photos/): This is a neat, quite new property - tucked away in a corner of Amish Virginia. I'm calling it a "Mini-barndominium" because it's described as a barndominium - but it's just a one bedroom, one-bathroom home. Compared to the much larger Kentucky Amish barndominium home we saw recently, you can notice the difference. But that
- [7 Irresistible Amish-Style Cake Recipes](https://amishamerica.com/7-amish-style-cake-recipes/): The Amish are well-known to enjoy a good cake. Whether it's for a family birthday (with their large families, they celebrate many of them), a church meal, or just anytime, cake is a commonly-made baked good in Amish homes. Check out this list of Amish-inspired cake ideas and take some inspiration for your next baking
- [Michigan Drivers Keep Hitting Buggies: Two Amish Children in "Serious Condition"](https://amishamerica.com/michigan-drivers-keep-hitting-buggies-two-amish-children-in-serious-condition/): This latest Michigan Amish buggy crash happened this morning a little while after 9 AM. Two Amish children, ages 9 and 11, were seriously injured. From WNEM: ISABELLA CO., Mich. (WNEM) - Police are investigating a crash involving an Amish horse drawn carriage and a Chevy pickup truck that occurred in Isabella County. The crash
- [New JPAC Issue Released: Amish Migration, Fertility, the Dawdyhaus & More](https://amishamerica.com/new-jpac-issue-number-ten-amish-migration-fertility-dawdyhaus-more/): Journal of Plain Anabaptist Communities, Volume 5, Issue 2 now released New milestones have been reached for both the Journal of Plain Anabaptist Communities (JPAC) and Anabaptist scholarship in general. JPAC is blessed with nearly 500 registrants, but there is room for many, many more, as its tenth issue is now released. It is now
- [Amish Youth Sing "When All of God’s Singers Get Home"](https://amishamerica.com/amish-youth-sing-when-all-of-gods-singers-get-home/): After a number of videos lately of Amish singing popular songs, how about something more traditional. This video was filmed at a New Order Amish youth singing in 2023 by P. Thomas (he's also brought us previous New Order Amish singing as well as Amish schoolchildren singing). In this video, the youth sing "When All
- [11 Easy Amish Noodle Recipes for Simple Comfort Food](https://amishamerica.com/11-amish-style-noodle-recipes/): If you’re looking to add some hearty comfort food to your dinner table, these 11 Amish-style noodle recipes are just what you need. Each recipe brings a taste of traditional Amish cooking straight to your kitchen. From savory dishes to rich, creamy delights, there’s a noodle dish for every craving. 1. Amish Chicken And
- [Five-Year-Old Amish Boy Killed While Riding Scooter](https://amishamerica.com/five-year-old-amish-boy-killed-while-riding-scooter/): A tragic accident happened several days ago in Emmet County, Michigan. A five-year-old Amish boy lost his life on the road. Here's what happened, via the Emmet County Sheriff's Office: On July 1, 2025, at approximately 2009 hours, Emmet County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a fatal traffic accident on Sand Road in Maple River Township.
- [July 4th Holiday: Do the Amish Celebrate Independence Day?](https://amishamerica.com/a-note-on-the-amish-patriotism-and-july-4th/): Fireworks and cookouts are the name of the game today. And some Amish people will no doubt be participating in one, the other, or both. But as you'd expect, secular holidays take a backseat to church-sanctioned ones in Amish America. Generally speaking, Amish that are more in tune with the American mainstream (say, by virtue
- [Amish Farmer Meets Cybertruck](https://amishamerica.com/amish-buggy-meets-cybertruck/): File this one under "fun stuff". A story is going around the internet about a Tesla Cybertruck owner stopping in and "amaz[ing]" an Amish farmer with the vehicle. While that's not particularly remarkable ("Amish person amazed by some piece of modern tech" is a common basis for news stories and memes), I guess I'm posting
- [Lancaster County: 10 Places to Stay for Your Amish Country Visit](https://amishamerica.com/lancaster-county-10-great-places-to-stay-in-amish-country/): Lancaster County, PA is a haven of rolling farmland, horse-drawn buggies, and warm hospitality. The area draws millions of visitors each year, most to experience "Amish Country" in the nation's largest Amish settlement. Whether you're looking to unwind in a quiet countryside B&B, or enjoy modern comforts with a rustic twist, Lancaster County's Amish Country
- [Amish Country Music: Rose's Brother & Sister (Third Fret Harmony) Release New Song](https://amishamerica.com/amish-music-group-third-fret-harmony-new-song-sing-me-back-home/): Third Fret Harmony is another Amish music group that (at least) Rose of Ben & Rose has been a part of (and I think still is - though I am not sure). Like Ben & Rose, they are also working with producer Conrad Fisher, and I think you'll recognize some of that flavor in this
- [Amish Auction Crowd: 12 More Photos](https://amishamerica.com/amish-auction-crowd-another-12-photos/): Whom will you see at an Amish auction? Last month Jim Halverson gave us a look at an Amish auction in central Michigan - in the Beaverton area of Gladwin County, to be precise. Jim is so prolific in his photo-taking that we have an additional dozen photos from the event. As mentioned before, the
- [18-Year-Old Dies In PA Crash; Buggy Wheel Was "Partially In The Travel Lane"](https://amishamerica.com/18-year-old-dies-in-pennsylvania-crash-buggy-wheel-was-partially-in-the-travel-lane/): Eighteen-year-old Daniel Yoder of Miles Township in Centre County, Pennsylvania lost his life Saturday when his buggy was struck by a minivan. From Centre Daily Times: The driver of a 2023 Toyota Sienna hit the buggy about 5:50 p.m. Saturday on state Route 150 about a 1/2 mile north of Sayers Dam and Marsh Creek
- [Amish In This Maine Community Are Keeping Food Lovers Happy](https://amishamerica.com/amish-in-this-maine-community-are-keeping-food-lovers-happy/): Of all the Maine Amish communities (11 and counting), the Unity settlement has gotten the most media attention over the years - whether it's about a beloved local market being rebuilt, "donut day", ice harvesting, or a specialty meats business in the community. That's why it's neat to see this look at the community at
- [A Spectator's View of Horse Progress Days 2025 (20 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/a-spectators-view-of-horse-progress-days-2025-20-photos/): After posting about the latest Horse Progress Days, held last week in Clare, Michigan, I was fortunate enough to receive not one, but two sets of photos from attendees of this year's edition - from Jim Halverson, who many of you will recognize from frequent excellent photos here, and from Milo G. Miller, Publisher of
- [Q&A with Milo Miller, Publisher of The Budget & The Diary (Book Giveaway)](https://amishamerica.com/milo-miller-publisher-the-budget-interview/): Milo Miller is the Publisher of two publications widely-read in Amish circles - The Budget & The Diary. I had the pleasure of meeting Milo at his office for the first time on a visit to Sugarcreek, Ohio in 2019 (below photo). I asked Milo if he'd answer a few questions for us about The
- [Amish Acres Will Be Sold - Again. What Happened with The Barns at Nappanee?](https://amishamerica.com/amish-acres-property-will-be-sold-again-what-happened-with-the-barns-at-nappanee/): The Amish Acres complex in Nappanee, Indiana was a long-running and popular tourist destination in northern Indiana Amish Country. It offered a restaurant, theater shows, and Amish-themed tours and activities. I think it's fair to say it was one of the best-known Amish-themed tourist attractions in the country, maybe "top five" even. After a 50-year
- [Ben & Rose New Release: "The Robin & The Eggs" (Full Song)](https://amishamerica.com/ben-rose-the-robin-and-the-eggs-full-song/): We got a preview of this song two weeks ago. Now Amish couple Ben & Rose have released the full version of "The Robin & The Eggs". Neat to hear and see the full version after the teaser! Many - but of course not all - of Ben and Rose's songs have an upbeat feel
- [Tennessee Amish Country: 10 Things To Do in Ethridge](https://amishamerica.com/10-things-to-do-in-tennessee-amish-country-ethridge/): Nestled in southern Middle Tennessee, Ethridge is home to one of the largest Old Order Amish communities in the South, with thousands of Amish residents. Known for its beautiful countryside and deeply traditional Amish lifestyle, Ethridge offers a peaceful and eye-opening getaway from the modern rush. Whether you're a first-time visitor or returning for a
- [Amish Country Music Couple Release New Song Clip: "The Robin & The Eggs"](https://amishamerica.com/amish-country-music-couple-release-new-song-clip-the-robin-and-the-eggs/): Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Amish couple Ben and Rose have just put out a clip of a new song they are working on: "The Robin and The Eggs". The clip is titled simply "The Robin And The Eggs - Ben & Rose Working On Some New Music". As in the last teaser clip ("Dream of Me"),
- [The 27 Amish Communities At Least 100 Years Old](https://amishamerica.com/25-amish-communities-100-years-old/): There are well over 600 Amish settlements across North America, with new settlements being started at a rate of about one every 10 days. You may have even seen Amish start a new community near you recently - or you might sometime soon. At the same time, many Amish settlements have failed over the years.
- [Injuries Reported in Amish Buggy Crash (Pittsylvania County, Virginia)](https://amishamerica.com/injuries-reported-in-amish-buggy-crash-pittsylvania-county-virginia/): Details are sparse, but there are reports of an Amish buggy crash in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, resulting in injuries to people involved - presumably to the Amish, as is nearly always the case in such crashes. From WSET: PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. (WSET) — An Amish buggy crashed in Pittsylvania County Tuesday morning, according to state
- [Ohio County: The Amish Need To Pay For Damaging The Roads](https://amishamerica.com/ohio-county-the-amish-need-to-pay-for-damaging-the-roads/): In one corner of the Buckeye State, the matter of paying for road repairs has put the spotlight on the Amish. Williams County, Ohio is seeking to raise funds for road maintenance - via a $5 license plate fee increase. But what about the Amish, who in Ohio - like most states - aren't required
- [Storied Amish Company Adopts Robotics - And Remains Amish](https://amishamerica.com/storied-amish-company-adopts-robotics-and-remains-amish/): Some of you might be familiar with the name Pioneer Equipment, the long-running Amish manufacturer of horse-drawn farm tools and wagons, based in Wayne County, Ohio. For decades, the Wengerd family operated what was the country’s largest producer of horse-powered machinery — serving Plain communities as well as a robust non-Amish market, in America and
- [Michigan County Welcomes New Amish Community (3 Things of Note)](https://amishamerica.com/michigan-county-welcomes-new-amish-community-3-things-of-note/): A township in Ogenaw County, Michigan is welcoming a new Amish settlement. And by the sound of the report at the Ogemaw County Herald, they are getting quite a warm welcome indeed. Edwards Township Treasurer Ellen Fournier had this to say: “The township would like to welcome them and we want to make everyone aware
- [The Year's Biggest Amish Horse Festival is Happening This Weekend (31st Edition)](https://amishamerica.com/years-biggest-amish-horse-festival-is-happening-this-weekend-31st-edition/): Horse Progress Days, the Amish horsepower showcase now into its fourth decade, will kick off tomorrow (July 4th) and run through Saturday. This is a moveable event, but as in previous years, this year's edition is happening in Clare County, Michigan, home to a sizeable Amish population. It will be held at the Alvin Yoder,
- [The Amish Population Has Grown Over 130% Since 2000: New Report](https://amishamerica.com/the-amish-population-has-grown-over-130-percent-this-century-2025-report/): The 2025 Amish Population Report The 2025 Amish population figures have just been released by the Young Center at Elizabethtown College in Lancaster County, PA. As always, the Amish population continues going up (never down). This reflects their high birthrate, and the tendency for most people born Amish, to choose to remain Amish, by being
- [Five Fun Buys at Amish Stores (For 10 Bucks Or Less)](https://amishamerica.com/5-things-i-regularly-buy-at-amish-stores/): After a recent period in which I visited about a dozen Amish stores in four states (Colorado, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia), I realized I tend to buy the same things over and over again. Maybe that means I need to step outside my box a bit. Either way I thought it might be nice to share
- [Inside A Spacious & Squeaky-Clean Amish Home (27 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-plain-spacious-squeaky-clean-amish-home/): The community is Salem, Indiana. The two words that first hit me to describe this Amish home are "spacious" and "squeaky clean". You'll see what I mean in the photos below. This is also a quite "low" - or, in other words, plain or traditional - Amish home. In this case that means zero bathrooms.
- [Amish Bicyclist Killed In Indiana; Driver Was "On His Cellphone" (UPDATED)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-bicyclist-killed-in-indiana-driver-was-on-his-cellphone/): It's been a bad few days for Amish on the road in northern Indiana. Last night, an Amish husband and wife were killed when their buggy was rear-ended. Prior to that, reports had come out of a bicyclist killed on Friday in the Goshen, Indiana area. It turns out that the victim in that case
- [Inside A Swartzentruber Amish Home (20 Photos) in North Carolina](https://amishamerica.com/swartzentruber-amish-home-north-carolina/): Let's have a look inside an Amish home in the traditional community at Ellenboro, NC. But first - the Swartzentruber Amish came to North Carolina in 2015, becoming the second Amish community in NC (not second ever, but second at that time). Since then, the community seems to have grown a bit, but not at
- [Twin Sister Who Hit Buggy While On Meth, Killing Two Amish Girls, Will Serve A Maximum Of Four Years - Or Maybe Just One Year](https://amishamerica.com/twin-sister-who-hit-buggy-while-on-meth-killing-two-amish-girls-will-serve-a-maximum-of-four-years-or-maybe-just-one-year/): The plea agreement for Samantha Jo Petersen, facing 17 charges (including six counts of vehicular homicide) will have her pleading guilty to just two counts - one count of criminal vehicular homicide and one count of criminal vehicular operation. The rest of the charges will be dismissed. Samantha has admitted consuming methamphetamine and then hitting
- [Lancaster County: 10 Amish Country Tours & Experiences For Your Visit](https://amishamerica.com/lancaster-county-10-amish-country-tours-and-experiences/): Lancaster County, Pennsylvania is home to the largest and best-known Amish community in the country. It's a place where traditional ways of life thrive alongside the modern world, offering an opportunity for cultural connection. From buggy rides and farm visits to family dinners and scenic train rides, there’s no shortage of meaningful ways to experience
- [New Song From Ben & Rose: "Lord I Don't Need A Mansion"](https://amishamerica.com/new-song-from-ben-rose-lord-i-dont-need-a-mansion/): Well so they teased us with one great song...and then delivered another great song - nice one there guys! ;) Several days ago, I posted a 23-second clip that Ben & Rose released of a new song they are apparently working on (a cover of "Dream of Me") - expecting that the full version would
- [Amish Husband & Wife Killed in Buggy Crash in Marshall County, Indiana (UPDATED)](https://amishamerica.com/two-killed-in-amish-buggy-crash-marshall-county-indiana/): Reports are just emerging that two people have been killed in a crash in Marshall County, Indiana, involving an Amish buggy and a motor vehicle. The Amish in Marshall County would belong to the large Nappanee community, home to over 6,000 Amish people. From WNDU: MARSHALL COUNTY, Ind. (WNDU) - Two people are dead after
- [A Visit To One Of The Plainest Amish Communities (21 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/traditional-amish-thrive-in-a-corner-of-ohio-21-photos/): When it comes to Amish Ohio, the big communities at Holmes County or Geauga County come first to mind. But the state has a much more expansive Amish footprint - with Amish living in over 70 locations throughout the Buckeye State. Hardin County is one of those places. Since 1953, Amish have called the Kenton
- [9 Time-Tested Skills Amish Women Still Use...That Are Making A Comeback](https://amishamerica.com/9-time-tested-skills-amish-women-still-use-that-are-making-a-comeback/): In an age of smart appliances and one-click shopping, it's easy to forget the household skills that once kept families well-fed, well-clothed, and financially sound. But in Amish communities across America, many of these time-tested traditions are still part of daily life—especially among Amish women, the "keepers of the home". These aren't just quaint old
- [12 More Jobs Done By Amish Women](https://amishamerica.com/12-more-jobs-done-by-amish-women/): We recently looked again at Amish women's occupations in the post 5 Jobs Done By Amish Women. In that post, commenter "Along 340" shared a personal list of 12 further examples of Amish women's occupations - which I felt deserved a post of its own. By the way, some of you may recognize "340" as
- [Inside A "Bare Bones" Michigan Amish Home (25 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-a-bare-bones-michigan-amish-home-25-photos/): When you take the spartan exterior and simple furnishings of this Michigan Amish home together, "bare bones" certainly fits the bill. But that doesn't mean it's not a homey place to live. This is a pure Amish shop home if I ever saw one. From the outside it is very functional looking - unpainted metal
- [Amish Mother Murder Trial - Day Three: Inmate Says Cranston Confessed To Him In Jail (UPDATED: Testimony Complete; Jury Now Deliberating)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-mother-murder-trial-day-three-inmate-says-cranston-confessed-to-him-in-jail/): The biggest news of Day Three of the Shawn Cranston trial came from the testimony of a fellow inmate. An inmate named Joseph Burch claimed that Cranston confessed to killing pregnant Amish mother Rebekah Byler to him while the two were at the Crawford County, PA Correctional Facility. If you missed them, here are the
- [Amish Country Music Video?](https://amishamerica.com/amish-country-music-video/): So here's a different spin on the words "Amish Country". Making the news right now is this country music song "Slowly But Surely", performed by a young Amish couple known simply as "Ben & Rose" (video at bottom). Now we've seen many Amish singing videos before - and even videos of Amish young people performing
- [6 Money-Saving "Secrets" of Amish Women](https://amishamerica.com/six-ways-amish-women-save-money-running-the-household/): What we can learn from Plain thrift and homemaking wisdom When you think of Amish life, you might picture the obvious, external things like buggies, bonnets, and barns. But behind many Amish homes is something less visible: smart, steady financial stewardship—especially by the women who run the household. While the Amish man is ostensibly the
- [Amish Mother Murder Trial - Day One: Husband Andy Byler Testifies (Updated)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-mother-murder-trial-day-one-husband-andy-byler-testifies/): The trial of Shawn C. Cranston began yesterday at 1pm, following jury selection. I've pulled from reporting from several sources to provide a rundown of the first day of trial. The judge expects the trial to take several days. Rebekah Byler's husband Andy Byler testified yesterday, as did the first officer on the scene of
- [Amish Auction Draws Crowds In Central Michigan (12 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-auction-draws-crowds-in-central-michigan-12-photos/): On May 24th, many members of the Amish community gathered at a local farm in Gladwin County, Michigan for an auction. As you can see here, dozens of buggies waited as their owners handled their business at the community sale. Auctions are regular affairs in Amish settlements, and may take the form of estate auctions,
- [Fresh & Delicious: 10 Amish-Inspired Ways to Use Zucchini & Squash](https://amishamerica.com/10-amish-inspired-zucchini-and-squash-recipes/): Squash and zucchini are staples in the Amish garden. Amish families both can their squash harvests - and use them fresh, to make a variety of recipes. Take some inspiration from this collection of Amish-inspired squash and zucchini dishes for your next meal. ~Erik If you're looking to spice up your meals with some hearty
- [Digital Detox: 7 Ways the Amish Harness Tech - for More Peace and a Happier Life](https://amishamerica.com/7-ways-the-amish-harness-technology-for-more-peace-and-a-happier-life/): What if the secret to a calmer, more connected life isn’t in the next app—but in putting the phone down altogether? While the rest of the world races to keep up with the latest digital tools, the Amish live differently. They don’t completely reject technology—rather, they slow down and choose carefully. Instead of letting every
- [Young Amish Man Killed In Buggy Rear-End Crash (Wisconsin)](https://amishamerica.com/young-amish-man-killed-in-buggy-rear-end-crash-wisconsin/): An Amish man has lost his life in a "serious crash" in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. Via the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office media release: Fatal Crash Involving Vehicle and Horse-Drawn Carriage Claims One Life On Sunday, June 15, 2025, at approximately 8:55 AM, Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Deputies, along with EMS and fire personnel, responded to a
- [Amish Boy Severely Injured - When Startled Horse Turns Into Path Of 18-Wheeler](https://amishamerica.com/amish-boy-severely-injured-when-startled-horse-turns-into-path-of-18-wheeler/): It was initially reported Wednesday that "a child was severely injured in a crash involving a horse and buggy in Lancaster County Wednesday morning." Now there are more details on how the crash occurred - due to a startled horse. From Fox 43: LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — Update (Thursday, June 5 at 3:15 a.m.): Pa.
- [Holmes County: 10 Must-Try Amish Baked Goods (And Where To Find Them)](https://amishamerica.com/10-must-try-amish-baked-goods-in-holmes-county-ohio/): Holmes County, Ohio, is not just the heart of Amish Country — it’s a baked goods lover’s dream. Here, generations of Amish families have passed down simple, made-from-scratch recipes that turn everyday ingredients into extraordinary treats. Many baked goods popular in Amish homes are also available to buy - either from Amish sources or from
- [11 Tasty Amish-Style Cinnamon Recipes You Need to Try](https://amishamerica.com/11-tasty-amish-style-cinnamon-recipes/): If you love the warm, comforting flavors of cinnamon, you’re in for a treat! This collection of 11 Amish-style recipes showcases how this beloved spice can elevate everyday dishes. From sweet desserts to hearty main courses, these recipes are rooted in tradition and bursting with cozy flavors that will make your kitchen feel (and smell)
- [Sheriff: Growing Concern Over "Large Amish Youth Underage Drinking Parties" (Northern Indiana)](https://amishamerica.com/sheriff-growing-concern-over-large-amish-youth-underage-drinking-parties-northern-indiana/): Some Amish settlements have a reputation for wild youth behavior. One of the more prominent examples has been the large northern Indiana community (the Elkhart County - LaGrange County settlement, including Shipshewana and other areas). This has been the case for decades, though apparently things ebb and flow (and of course, this does not concern
- [Amazing: New York Amish Move Barn By Hand (Aerial View)](https://amishamerica.com/amazing-new-york-amish-move-barn-by-hand-aerial-view/): We've been seeing a fair share of Amish barn moves lately. This one, from Clymer, New York (Chautauqua County), stands out - because it was filmed entirely from above, using a drone (full video at bottom). You get a great bird's eye view of the whole process, which looks like it involved at least 100
- [The Twin Sister Actually Driving In Deadly Amish Crash...Will Now Plead Guilty Too](https://amishamerica.com/the-twin-sister-actually-driving-in-deadly-amish-crash-will-now-plead-guilty-too/): Sarah Beth Petersen was the sister who tried to take the fall for the car-buggy crash which killed two Amish girls in Fillmore County, Minnesota. She pleaded guilty in February and was later sentenced to three months in jail. Now the sister who was actually driving, Samantha Petersen, has decided to plead guilty as well,
- [Inside A Simple & Cozy Minnesota Amish Home (26 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-a-simple-cozy-minnesota-amish-home-26-photos/): Here's another simple but beautiful Amish home. We've already seen one home from this community (Harmony, Minnesota), which was one of the most attractive Amish homes we've featured here. This one is similar. It's described as a "hobby farm" in the listing - a five-bedroom home on 6.5 acres. This is a Swartzentruber Amish community,
- [7 Amish Habits That Can Save You $10,000 a Year](https://amishamerica.com/seven-amish-habits-that-can-save-you-10000-dollars-a-year/): Practical simplicity from America’s plain people—no buggy required. In a world driven by convenience, consumption, and credit, the Amish live by a radically different code: simplicity, frugality, and self-reliance. And while most of us aren’t ready to give up electricity or ride a buggy to work, we can learn a lot from the habits that
- [Yet Another Amish Group Is Helping Rebuild Western NC](https://amishamerica.com/yet-another-amish-group-is-helping-rebuild-western-nc/): In Chimney Rock, North Carolina, the Amish have become a regular part of the scenery, so to speak. So much so that we may need to start calling it at least a "temporary" Amish settlement :) The outpouring of support from the Plain community (and of course, not only from them) for those in the
- [Cranston Convicted For Murders Of Rebekah Byler & Her Unborn Child: Guilty On All Counts](https://amishamerica.com/cranston-convicted-for-murder-of-rebekah-byler-guilty-on-all-counts/): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZuYOj9Z420 Shawn C. Cranston has been found guilty: Meadville, Pa (WJET/WFXP)– Guilty on all charges — That’s the verdict in the trial of Shawn Cranston, the man accused of murdering a pregnant Amish woman last year in Sparta Township. It took the jury less than three hours to find Shawn Cranston guilty on all charges
- [Buggy Wreck Sends Two Amish Children To Hospital With Head Injuries. Crash Under Investigation; "Charges Are Pending"](https://amishamerica.com/buggy-wreck-sends-two-amish-children-to-hospital-with-head-injuries-crash-under-investigation-charges-are-pending/): From CNY Central: CLAYTON, N.Y. — The New York State Police are investigating an amish buggy crash in Jefferson County which sent two young children to the hospital. On June 11, 2025, at 3:46 p.m. State Police responded to County Route 3 in the town of Clayton for a vehicle collision. Investigation revealed that a
- [Amish Mother Murder Trial - Day Two: Burglaries, Red Jeep, DNA Evidence & More](https://amishamerica.com/amish-murder-trial-day-two-burglaries-red-jeep-dna-evidence-more/): Yesterday (June 10th) was Day Two of the trial of Shawn C. Cranston for the killing of Rebekah Byler and her unborn child, ongoing in the Crawford County, Pennsylvania Judicial Center (here's Day One if you missed it). Testimony focused on a red Jeep seen at the Byler's residence on the morning she was killed,
- [Inside a Cozy Amish Modular Home (15 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-a-cozy-amish-modular-home-15-photos/): Now for something a bit different - an Amish-owned modular home. It's not the first modular or mobile home we've featured (by my count, it's the third), but I'd say it's the coziest - hence the title. This one comes to us from Princeton, Missouri (Mercer County), home to a pair of Amish communities - one
- [Amish Mother Murder Case: Jury Selection Happening as Trial (Finally) Proceeds](https://amishamerica.com/amish-mother-murder-case-jury-selection-happening-as-trial-finally-proceeds/): After three prior postponements, it looks like the trial of Shawn C. Cranston is happening. Cranston faces trial for the murder of Amish woman Rebekah Byler and her unborn child, soon set to proceed in Crawford County, Pennsylvania. Jury selection is happening today (June 9), according to the Erie Times-News: In jail without bond since
- [Northern Indiana: 10 Amish Country Restaurants Not To Miss](https://amishamerica.com/northern-indiana-10-amish-country-restaurants/): Northern Indiana - Elkhart and LaGrange Counties (along with nearby Nappanee) - is home to one of the largest Amish communities in the United States. The area's rich cultural heritage - with its heart in the town of Shipshewana - is reflected in its culinary offerings, with numerous restaurants serving traditional Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch
- [Police: Woman Intentionally Rammed Amish Buggy With SUV](https://amishamerica.com/police-woman-intentionally-rammed-amish-buggy-with-suv/): Well, this is something. From Valley News Live: CLEARWATER COUNTY, Minn. (Valley News Live) - A Bagley woman has been charged with assault and reckless driving after an incident Friday in Clearwater County. Court documents state Jamie Harmon intentionally rammed into another vehicle, an Amish buggy, with her motor vehicle while the other vehicle was
- [10 views of the Dover, Delaware Amish](https://amishamerica.com/dover-delaware-amish-photos/): A full one-third of Delaware's counties have Amish settlements. Okay, Delaware only has three counties (yep, that kind of sounds like a joke you'd hear an Amish guy make). Delaware's sole Amish settlement nestles against state capital Dover. Amish have been here almost 100 years. It's a decent-sized community, actually: 9 church districts, over 1000
- [The Amish Have Lower Rates of Allergies & Asthma. Can We Benefit Too?](https://amishamerica.com/amish-have-lower-rates-of-allergies-asthma-can-we-benefit-too/): Unlike some other health myths about the Amish, this is a claim that evidence suggests is true. The BBC takes a look at this phenomenon - and wonders if we non-Amish can enjoy the same benefits: The Amish have gripped the imaginations of Hollywood scriptwriters, documentary makers and sociologists for decades. But in the past
- [Amish "Narrowly" Escape Disaster In ANOTHER Criminal High-Speed Chase](https://amishamerica.com/amish-narrowly-escape-disaster-in-another-criminal-high-speed-chase/): When I saw the headline, I thought for sure this was a follow-up to last week's story of an Amish family being nearly run over in a high-speed chase involving a criminal suspect in the Bluegrass State. But no, this is a different, but disturbingly similar story from next-door Missouri. From KCTV5: WINDSOR, Mo. (KCTV)
- [Yet Another Michigan Amish Buggy Hit-and-Run. Suspect Still At Large](https://amishamerica.com/hit-and-run-driver-leaves-amish-man-seriously-injured-michigan/): Yet another hit-and-run on an Amish buggy in Michigan - a state which has been building a reputation for this sort of thing. Police are currently seeking the driver in a crash which happened May 30th. From ABC12: SANILAC COUNTY, Mich. (WJRT) - A hit-and-run involving a car and a horse-drawn buggy left an Amish
- [A "Mystery Illness" Was Rapidly Killing Amish Horses. Veterinarians Have Now Solved the Puzzle](https://amishamerica.com/mystery-illness-was-rapidly-killing-amish-horses-veterinarians-have-now-solved-the-puzzle/): Over the past two months, horse owners in Kent County, Delaware - in particular the Amish - have seen their horses dying suddenly from an unknown illness. "Sudden" as in fine one day, gone the next. But thankfully, the good work of veterinarians has likely put an end to that. From Delaware Online: A mysterious
- [Inside A Cheery 7-Bedroom Amish Home (24 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-a-cheery-7-bedroom-amish-home-24-photos/): This is a pleasant Amish home in upstate New York. It's got seven bedrooms, and two bathrooms. Right off the bat that tells you it's not the plainest Amish group. And while that bedroom-to-bathroom ratio may seem high for a non-Amish home, for the Amish it's about par for the course. The home address is
- [Easy As Pie: 300 Amish Move A Pole Barn (14 Images & Video)](https://amishamerica.com/easy-as-pie-300-amish-move-a-barn-14-images-video/): Compared to the last barn move we saw, this one is a lot more straightforward. But still quite impressive. The Amish - reportedly 300 of them (though again I'm not always sure how accurate these numbers are) - pick up and move a 45' x 72' pole barn. They carry it directly forward to its
- [Holmes County: 10 Amish-Style Restaurants For A Great Meal](https://amishamerica.com/holmes-county-ohio-10-amish-style-restaurants/): If you’re spending time in the Holmes County Amish community and looking for a good place to eat, you’ve got plenty of good options. The area is known for hearty, homestyle cooking—think broasted chicken, real mashed potatoes, fresh-baked pies, and plenty of comfort food made from scratch. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned
- [Amish Family Nearly Run Over By "Armed & Dangerous" Suspect in High-Speed Chase](https://amishamerica.com/armed-dangerous-suspect-nearly-runs-over-amish-family-in-high-speed-chase/): A man driving at “an extreme high rate of speed”, nearly ran over an officer in Bath County, KY. Here's what happened next...in what sounds like an absolutely crazy pursuit (via FOX 56): The police claim he was still evading officers onto Highway 60 toward Owingsville before turning onto Peasticks Road and Forge Hill Road,
- [Amish Male Run Over By Wagon Weighing Thousands of Pounds](https://amishamerica.com/likely-amish-male-run-over-by-wagon-weighing-thousands-of-pounds/): The Witmer, Pennsylvania Fire Protective Association reported last week about a male person being run over by an "Amish-style wooden hay wagon". Witmer is an area near the heart of Lancaster County, PA, a stone's throw from better-known locales like Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse. It is an area heavily-inhabited by Amish residents, and in all likelihood
- [Amish Man Pleads Not Guilty in Amish Woman's Murder](https://amishamerica.com/amish-man-pleads-not-guilty-in-amish-womans-murder/): The main information here is the headline: Samuel Hochstetler, 18, appeared in court Friday (Meigs County, Ohio) and has pled not guilty in the murder of Amish woman Rosanna Kinsinger, 28. This is reported by WCHS: MEIGS COUNTY, Ohio (WCHS) — An 18-year-old Amish man pleaded not guilty Friday in a Meigs County, Ohio, murder
- [Lancaster County: 10 Amish-Style Restaurants For Your Next Visit](https://amishamerica.com/lancaster-county-10-amish-pa-dutch-restaurants/): Lancaster County, Pennsylvania is not just the heart of Amish Country—it’s also a hub for hearty, homestyle cooking rooted in Pennsylvania Dutch tradition. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to explore more, one of the best ways to experience the culture is by sitting down to a meal like the locals do.
- [Tornado Disaster Relief: Amish "won’t take no funds"](https://amishamerica.com/tornado-disaster-relief-missouri-amish-wont-take-funds/): Now, those aren't in fact the words of the Amish. But they are the words of a non-Amish neighbor who understands the Amish well - as a people who reject government aid. This comes following severe weather damage in Wright County, Missouri - one of over a dozen Missouri counties impacted by storms in March
- [Wisconsin Police: "Kiddos" Need to Stop Spooking Amish Horses](https://amishamerica.com/wisconsin-police-kiddos-need-to-stop-spooking-amish-horses/): Apparently "kiddos" in one Wisconsin community (Frederic, Wisconsin) have made a game of trying to scare Amish buggy horses. "Kiddos" is the word the police department uses; "juveniles" is from the report at wearegreenbay.com: FREDERIC, Wis. (WFRV) – Authorities in northwestern Wisconsin are urging parents to speak with their children after receiving multiple reports of
- [Hundreds of Amish Men Pick Up & "Walk" A Barn (21 Images & Video)](https://amishamerica.com/hundreds-of-amish-men-pick-up-walk-a-barn-21-images-video/): In another remarkable video, a whole lot of Amish people pick up and "walk" a large barn structure to a new location on the property. There aren't a ton of details given - no explanation of why the barn is being moved. But overall, this might be the most complex Amish barn move I've come
- [Inside A Large Amish Home (with Butcher Shop) ~ 27 Photos](https://amishamerica.com/inside-a-large-amish-home-with-butcher-shop-27-photos/): This week's Amish home is in the wonderfully-named location of Bliss, New York (Wyoming County). The area is home to a 200-plus person Amish community that hasn't been there too long - only since 2019. It's a nice-looking home on a large property - over 60 acres. Like the last New York Amish home we
- [Savory & Simple: 11 Amish Celery Dishes to Make Today](https://amishamerica.com/11-amish-celery-recipes/): Celery is another garden staple that shows up regularly in Amish traditional cooking. Celery is perhaps most famous as a wedding dish - namely creamed celery, a tradition in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. But that's not the only place you'll find celery on the Amish table, as you'll see by this varied selection of celery recipes.
- [Two Amish Girls in Critical Condition After Another Michigan Buggy Crash](https://amishamerica.com/two-amish-girls-in-critical-condition-after-another-michigan-buggy-crash/): The Amish girls' ages are 1 and 10 years old. From upnorthlive.com: GLADWIN COUNTY, Mich.— Several people were injured in a buggy crash on Friday. According to the Gladwin County Sheriff's Office, on Friday, May 2nd at approximately 8:25 p.m., deputies investigated a crash near the intersection of Bard Road and Calhoun Road involving a
- [(Another) Hit-and-Run Leaves Seven Amish Injured](https://amishamerica.com/another-hit-and-run-leaves-seven-amish-injured/): This one happened in upstate New York. From news10.com: JACKSON, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a crash that happened on Tuesday between a car and an Amish buggy. The crash was on State Route 22 in the town of Jackson, officials said. Sheriff’s deputies responded to the crash around 4:20
- [Police: Buggy Robber Also Targeted Amish With Bad Checks - Helped By His Wife](https://amishamerica.com/police-buggy-robber-also-targeted-amish-with-bad-checks-helped-by-his-wife/): Following the suspect's arrest earlier this month, I wasn't expecting another piece to the Amish buggy robbery story, but here it is. According to police, the man accused of armed buggy robbery had also been targeting the Amish in less-violent ways. Namely, writing bad checks to Amish stores in which he and an accomplice would
- [Ben & Rose Release New GOSPEL Song: "But For The Blood"](https://amishamerica.com/ben-rose-release-new-gospel-song-but-for-the-blood/): Two weeks have gone by, and it's time for another Ben & Rose song. They seem to be putting them out at a bit faster pace now - and I've got no complaints here :) This time around - something a bit different. While they've mostly done Country tunes, this time around it's a Gospel
- [Amish Forgiveness Explained: Two Different Types of Forgiving](https://amishamerica.com/amish-forgiveness-explained-two-different-types-of-forgiving/): This is a timely and helpful follow-up to the story of Amish parents forgiving the teenage driver in the accident which killed their three young children. People often wonder - how can the Amish forgive so quickly? Well, it's maybe not so simple. The Young Center's Steven Nolt - co-author of the book Amish Grace,
- [After Losing 3 Children, Amish Family Forgives Teen Driver in Fatal Accident](https://amishamerica.com/after-losing-3-children-amish-family-forgives-teen-driver-in-fatal-accident/): There's an important update to the tragic story of three Amish siblings killed in a crash in northern Indiana. It turns out the driver of the vehicle was a 17-year-old girl named Sienna O'Connor. There's always a lot of speculation when these accidents happen. Was the person speeding? Were they texting? Were drugs or alcohol
- [Police: Man Posing As Chiropractor Sexually Assaulted Amish & Mennonite Women (Lancaster County)](https://amishamerica.com/man-posing-as-chiropractor-allegedly-sexually-assaulted-amish-mennonite-women-lancaster-county/): This is a stomach-churning story. It is bad news. In some sense it is also "good news" in that this man has been caught and stopped from continuing his (alleged) awful behavior. From Penn Live: A 61-year-old man pretending to be a chiropractor in Lancaster County sexually assaulted multiple women, including minors, during “treatments,” targeting
- [12 Amish Dandelion Recipes to Celebrate Spring](https://amishamerica.com/12-amish-style-dandelion-recipes/): The Amish are known for making good use of a plant many of us consider just another weed: the humble dandelion. Did you know that the entire dandelion plant is edible? Well, the Amish do. That includes flower, leaves, stem, and even roots. You'll see that reflected in this diverse list of recipes, ranging from
- [Is This The Oldest Amish Bakery?](https://amishamerica.com/schlabachs-bakery-guthrie-kentucky/): There is a small but longstanding Amish community at Guthrie, Kentucky, right near the Tennessee border. Guthrie is one of the more atypical Amish settlements, as it is an "electric New Order" community. The Amish here permit electricity in the home, and also fully use tractors, even for road transportation. Still they are considered an
- [Amish Country Bakery Manager Killed By 3-Time DUI Driver](https://amishamerica.com/schlabachs-bakery-manager-killed-by-three-time-dui-driver/): This is a sad - and maddening - story about a special employee of a bakery that we've covered here on the site before. Schlabach's Bakery has been in business since 1970. It's located in the area of the "electric New Order" Amish community at Guthrie, Kentucky (Todd County). From what I've heard, it was
- [The Amish Wedding: What does it mean when a couple is "published"?](https://amishamerica.com/amish-wedding-when-a-couple-is-published/): You may have hear the term "published" used about Amish couples planning to be married. But what does it mean to be "published"? Amish mother and author Lovina Eicher explains in her latest Lovina's Amish Kitchen column: Yesterday daughter Verena and Daniel Ray were “published” to be married on June 20. For the readers that
- [Amish Lead Rebuild of 100-Year-Old Barn - For Non-Amish Owners (Video)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-lead-rebuild-100-year-old-barn-for-non-amish-owners/): Here's a nice time-lapse video showing the restoration - really rebuilding - of an old barn which was destroyed in a wind storm. The barn, described as a "100 Year Old Collapsed Barn", had been bought by a non-Amish family (Vignette Farms) who were attempting to restore it (this is in Indiana). The family explains
- [Amish Woman's Murder: Samuel Hochstetler Makes First Court Appearance; Victim's Father Speaks](https://amishamerica.com/amish-womans-murder-samuel-hochstetler-makes-first-court-appearance-victims-father-speaks/): Samuel L. Hochstetler, charged with murder in Amish woman Rosanna Kinsinger's death, made his first court appearance yesterday. From WCHS: POMEROY, Ohio (WCHS) — A Pomeroy courtroom was packed with members of Amish community as an unusually disturbing murder case advanced though Ohio’s court system. Samuel Hochstetler, 18, is accused of killing 28-year-old Rosanna Kinsinger,
- [12 Fun & Tangy Amish Rhubarb Recipes You Need to Try](https://amishamerica.com/12-amish-rhubarb-recipes/): Rhubarb is a quintessential Amish garden treat. The delightful reddish-pink stalks typically begin making their appearance in Amish gardens in April and can be found through the spring into June. Commonly made into pies, cakes, and jams, you'll also see them in other treats like muffins and even beverages like rhubarb punch or lemonade. Find
- [Fresh & Flavorful: 12 Amish-Style Salads for Spring](https://amishamerica.com/12-delicious-amish-style-salads/): Nearly every Amish family has a well-tended garden providing them a steady supply of fresh vegetables throughout the warmer months. Starting in spring, Amish families enjoy a bounty of garden goodies, which they use in fresh salads, cooked dishes, and of course, canning for the winter months. This selection of Amish-inspired salads is a great
- [Amish and the law](https://amishamerica.com/amish-and-the-law/): Just read an interesting article in the Mount Vernon News about the relationship between law enforcement and Amish in a few Ohio communities. One of the two sheriffs interviewed--hailing from Knox County, an area with a relatively small Amish population--says that law enforcement tries to be sensitive to Amish customs and in particular the Amish
- [Missouri Amish Abuse Story](https://amishamerica.com/missouri-amish-abuse-story/): This is a disheartening story (no longer online) which I've meant to address, about child abuse in one Amish community. Four bishops in a Missouri Amish community have been charged with failing to report sexual abuse inflicted by an adult member of the community upon two children. Clearly there is no moral question that abuse
- [The Amish Investment Fund Bankruptcy](https://amishamerica.com/amish-investment-fund-bankruptcy/): The failure of A&M investments tests the Holmes County community A financial controversy has been playing out in the Holmes County, Ohio Amish settlement over the past few months. Amishman Monroe Beachy operated A&M Investments, a fund in which hundreds of locals, mainly Amish, invested money. One day early last summer, a sign appeared on
- [Why are Amish targeted for harassment?](https://amishamerica.com/why-are-amish-targeted-for-harrassment/): Attacks against Amish have a long history. These have ranged from verbal abuse to more serious offenses such as theft, vandalism, and arson. In some cases, Amish have been injured or even killed. A series of barn burnings in Big Valley, PA in the early 1990s, or targeted assaults and robberies against Amish in the
- [Amish fund manager sentenced to 6 years](https://amishamerica.com/amish-fund-manager-sentenced-to-6-years/): The news came yesterday that Monroe Beachy, Ohio Amishman and investment fund manager, received a 6-and-a-half year sentence for fraud. Investors in Beachy's popular fund lost around $17 million, around half of its total value. U.S. Attorney Steven Dettelbach described it as "fraud on a massive scale." Beachy, 78, requested to serve his sentence at
- [Geauga County Amish Robberies](https://amishamerica.com/geauga-county-amish-robberies/): Unfortunately harassing the Amish happens often enough that it even goes by a few colorful terms such as "Amo-bashing". It can range from petty vandalism to verbal abuse to even assault. A pair of recent incidents go a step further into felony criminal territory. Two Amish couples in Geauga County, Ohio were held up a
- [Bergholz Community: Don't Call Us A Cult](https://amishamerica.com/dont-call-them-a-cult/): It's been some time since we've covered the Bergholz beard-cutters, though pieces of news have been trickling out here and there. The trial of the 16 defendants in the case is fast approaching, with proceedings set to begin August 27. The accused have sought certain allowances in the lead-up to the trial. The latest objection
- [Amish watching and testifying in beard cutting trial](https://amishamerica.com/amish-watching-and-testifying-in-beard-cutting-trial/): The big Amish news this week is the trial of 16 members of the Bergholz group, which opened in a Cleveland federal court Tuesday. The accused are charged with hate crimes for their roles in the beard and hair-cutting attacks. Some face sentences of 20 years or more if convicted. Defendants have rejected plea bargain
- [Lock up beard-cutting parents (pre-sentencing...and pre-harvest)?](https://amishamerica.com/lock-up-beard-cutting-parents-pre-sentencing-and-pre-harvest/): You have probably heard by now that the Bergholz beard-cutters were convicted in the federal hate crimes trial last week. They will have to wait four months for sentencing, however, until January 24 (appeal remains a possibility as well). Now attention has shifted to whether some of the convicts should remain free or be imprisoned
- [Hit-and-run driver accused of intentionally killing Amish horse](https://amishamerica.com/hit-and-run-driver-accused-of-intentionally-killing-amish-horse/): Over the past weekend a driver apparently purposely drove his car into a horse pulling a buggy full of Nappanee, Indiana -area Amish teenagers. Francisco Gonzalez was captured on a Wal-Mart parking lot camera turning around and returning to the road to run into the buggy horse, which was killed instantly. The boys were shaken
- [Some Amish want life sentence for Sam Mullet](https://amishamerica.com/some-amish-want-life-sentence-for-sam-mullet/): From a story just published: Some Amish are asking for a life sentence for the man convicted of beard cutting attacks. The U.S. Attorney in Cleveland has received 14 letters from Amish in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York, in which a "long" or "life" sentence for renegade Amish bishop Sam Mullet, Sr., is requested. Fourteen letters is
- [Donald Kraybill: Beard-cutters not Amish](https://amishamerica.com/donald-kraybill-beard-cutters-not-amish/): In an article in the latest Mennonite World Review, Donald Kraybill, who served as expert witness in the trial, had this comment on Sam Mullet's group: “I call them a clan, and I do not consider them Amish at all.” More: In September, Kraybill gave five hours of testimony in a crowded courtroom. He visited the
- [Beard-cutting convicts to be scattered across 5 states](https://amishamerica.com/beard-cutting-convicts-to-be-scattered-across-5-states/): From a recent report in the Cleveland Plain Dealer: The fractured Amish community of Bergholz is distraught over news that bishop Samuel Mullet and seven of his hate crime co-defendants have been assigned to prisons scattered across the country — some as far as 1,000 miles away. Samuel Mullet originally had been designated to serve his 15-year
- [Should Sam Mullet be made to study for a GED?](https://amishamerica.com/should-sam-mullet-be-made-to-study-for-a-ged/): The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports on the latest controversy surrounding Sam Mullet and imprisoned members of his community: The federal Bureau of Prisons is forcing some imprisoned members of an Ohio Amish community to study for high school equivalency certificates in violation of their First Amendment rights, a lawyer for the sect contends. Lawyer Edward Bryan,
- [Gunshots Fired At Amish Homes In Wisconsin (UPDATED)](https://amishamerica.com/gunshots-fired-at-amish-homes-in-wisconsin/): Over the past week, gunshots were fired at two Amish homes in the community in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin. There was also a third reported incident involving a school in the settlement. There's not a lot of information in this article, but there are a few more details, including on a fragment of bullet found
- [Amish Among Investors Who Lost $3.9M In Alleged Scam](https://amishamerica.com/amish-investors-lose-3-9m-in-alleged-investment-scam/): News came last week of another financial scandal involving Amish investors as victims. According to the federal lawsuit, Earl D. Miller began recruiting investors in 2008 to join a number of investment vehicles, despite having no experience in fund management. The Goshen, Indiana resident is accused of “misrepresentations that Miller raised at least $3.9 million from at
- [Couple Who "Gifted" Daughter Were Not Representative Of The Amish](https://amishamerica.com/couple-who-gifted-daughter-were-not-representative-of-the-amish/): There's a good chance you've heard the story of a former Amish family who "gifted" one of their underage daughters to a man who provided them financial aid (if not, the details can be found here among many other places). Over the past several days this bizarre story has gone worldwide (I've seen it in Russian,
- [Amish Bishop Charged For Failing To Report Abuse](https://amishamerica.com/amish-bishop-charged-for-failing-to-report-abuse/): An Amish bishop in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania is in the news for failing to report sexual abuse of two children in his church by another church member. From Lancaster Online: An Amish bishop in Dauphin County is facing charges after being accused of failing to report two cases of alleged sexual abuse of children. Christ
- [Sam Mullet Asks For Release Due to Attorney Mistakes](https://amishamerica.com/sam-mullet-asks-for-release-due-to-attorney-mistakes/): Sam Mullet was sentenced in 2013 to 15 years in prison for orchestrating beard and hair-cutting attacks on Amish. Mullet later saw his sentence reduced to a little under 11 years. If you missed the story at the time, Mullet was the bishop of a breakaway Amish group which began following decidedly un-Amish practices, detailed in the
- [Michigan Amishman Gets 15-25 Years For Sexual Assault](https://amishamerica.com/michigan-amishman-gets-15-25-years-for-sexual-assault/): From mlive.com: GLADWIN, MI -- An Amish man will spend more than a decade in prison for sexually assaulting three girls over a several years. Gladwin County Circuit Judge Thomas R. Evans on Monday, Oct. 15, sentenced 53-year-old Ora F. Troyer to one term of 15 to 25 years in prison and two terms of
- [Amish & Mennonites Victims of 4 Major Financial Schemes Since 2008](https://amishamerica.com/amish-mennonites-victims-4-major-financial-schemes-since-2008/): The year 2015 brought news of an investment scam targeting Amish in multiple states. Amish-born Earl D. Miller promised investors double-digit returns, and many Amish people gave Miller their money. Miller eventually gathered over $50 million. Some of this was used to pay back earlier investors promised returns, in typical Ponzi fashion, before the scheme imploded.
- [Amishman Arrested For Driving Buggy While Intoxicated](https://amishamerica.com/amishman-arrested-for-driving-buggy-while-intoxicated/): An Amishman was arrested for DUI in Kentucky after sideswiping a car with his buggy last week. The 34-year-old man was traveling with his wife and seven children, ages 9 months to 12 years old. He faces 10 felony counts as a result. The man first attempted to claim that one of his children was
- [Amish Girl Shot In Face By BB Gun Fired From Vehicle](https://amishamerica.com/amish-girl-shot-in-face-by-bb-gun-fired-from-vehicle/): Unlike yesterday's lead story, this is not of the feel-good variety. The Jamestown Post-Journal reports on an incident which happened Sunday in Warren County, PA: WARREN, Pa. — Information is being sought after a youth riding in an Amish buggy was struck in the face by a BB fired from an SUV in Warren County.
- [Sexual Abuse Awareness Program Leads To Arrest, Conviction Of Amishman](https://amishamerica.com/sexual-abuse-awareness-program-leads-to-arrest-conviction-of-amishman/): An Amishman was sentenced Thursday in Dauphin County, PA for sexually abusing four girls when he was a teenager. From Penn Live: The 11 ½- to 23-month prison term President Judge Richard A. Lewis imposed on King was set in an agreement King reached when he pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including aggravated indecent assault,
- [Earl D. Miller Ordered To Repay $5.2 Million, Mostly To Amish Investors](https://amishamerica.com/earl-d-miller-ordered-to-repay-5-2-million-to-amish-investors/): Back in February, we looked at four major financial schemes which Amish had fallen victim to since 2008. A principal figure in one of those schemes has now been ordered to pay restitution. One thing to mention up front: articles on this are describing Earl D. Miller as "Amish" (of course, that's a catchier and
- [Two Volunteer Firefighters Arrested For Burning Down Amish Furniture Shop](https://amishamerica.com/two-volunteer-firefighters-arrested-for-burning-down-amish-furniture-shop/): Two volunteer firefighters have been charged with arson in the burning of an Amish furniture shop in Pennsylvania. The community in question is Smicksburg (Indiana County), one of the larger settlements in the state. Byler's Custom Built Aspen Log Furniture burned down in a fire back in January. This was one of four Amish business
- [Four Amish Youth Plead Guilty To Underage Drinking, Disturbing The Peace](https://amishamerica.com/four-amish-youth-plead-guilty-to-underage-drinking-disturbing-the-peace/): “This kind of stuff happens all the time with them.” That's area resident Cyndi Tipton, on an incident involving local Amish youth. The young men's behavior led to charges including underage drinking and disturbing the peace. The four young Amish men, ages ranging from 19 to 20, also were charged with providing false information to
- [Nearly 40 Amish Youth Partygoers Arrested](https://amishamerica.com/nearly-40-amish-youth-partygoers-arrested/): We recently saw some wild Amish youth behavior on a small scale, when four Amish youth were charged with offenses including underage drinking and disturbing the peace. That number went up by almost tenfold this past weekend in northern Indiana. Nearly 40 Amish teens and young adults were arrested between two area parties attended by
- [Report Highlights 50+ Sexual Abuse Cases In Amish Communities Over Two Decades](https://amishamerica.com/report-highlights-50-sexual-abuse-cases-amish-communities-two-decades/): A story published this week by Type Investigations and Cosmopolitan magazine has collected the accounts of victims of sexual abuse in Amish communities. Author Sarah McClure also tallied up cases of abuse by Amish offenders over a two-decade span. McClure reached a total of 52 documented cases of abuse across seven states in her investigation.
- [Flasher Targeting Amish Women](https://amishamerica.com/flasher-targeting-amish-women/): There are sick individuals out there. This man needs to be caught so he will stop traumatizing his victims, and ultimately get some sort of help. A flasher (or "indecent exposure suspect" in official parlance) is targeting Amish women in Juniata County, Pennsylvania: According to police, a Fayette Township woman reported that on Nov. 1,
- [Sam Mullet Will Be Released To Finish Sentence At Home](https://amishamerica.com/sam-mullet-will-be-released-to-finish-sentence-at-home/): Following a motion filed last week by his attorney, beard-cutting clan leader Sam Mullet will be released early due to threat from the novel coronavirus. From the AP: Sam Mullet Sr. was moved to a halfway house in Youngstown on March 4 and was scheduled to be released in January. But his attorney argued in
- [Serial Bandits Used Amish Disguises In Bank Robberies (1995)](https://amishamerica.com/bandits-used-amish-disguises-bank-robberies-1995/): While preparing today's other post on stolen Amish puppies, I stumbled across an old article on a bizarre story I'd never heard mention of before. On November 5, 1995, the New York Times reported the following: When the reports of a bank robbery in Wall Township came into the F.B.I. office in Newark on Oct.
- [Puppies Stolen From Amish While Away At Church](https://amishamerica.com/puppies-stolen-from-amish-while-away-at-church/): Penn Live reports that a Chester County, PA woman has been accused of stealing 12 puppies from two Amish couples while they were away from home at church service. Charges, filed Monday, come well over a year after the thefts were reported: MIFFLINBURG – A Chester County woman is accused of stealing 12 pug puppies
- [Lancaster Bishop Charged With Failing To Report Suspected Abuse](https://amishamerica.com/lancaster-bishop-charged-with-failing-to-report-suspected-abuse/): Members of the Lancaster County Amish community contacted police - after first meeting with church leaders - about alleged cases of sexual abuse in their midst. From Lancaster Online: In what appears to be the first such case of its kind in Lancaster County, an Amish bishop has been charged with failing to report suspected
- [Amish Brothers Violate Probation, Sentenced To 15 Years Prison In Abuse Case](https://amishamerica.com/amish-brothers-violate-probation-sentenced-15-years-prison-abuse-case/): This is a follow-up to the Missouri abuse case story widely covered last month. From KY3: MARSHFIELD, Mo. (KY3) - A Webster County judge Thursday sent two Amish brothers for prison for violating terms of their probation. Petie and Aaron Schartz of Seymour, Mo. will spend 15 years in prison for their sexual abuse convictions.
- [Justo Smoker Will Stand Trial For Homicide In Linda Stoltzfoos Case; Arraignment March 26th](https://amishamerica.com/justo-smoker-will-stand-trial-for-homicide-in-linda-stoltzfoos-case-arraignment-march-26th/): Justo Smoker's preliminary hearing was held Friday, to determine if the homicide case against him would go to trial. After an hour-and-twenty minute hearing, District Judge Denise Commins ruled that prosecutors had met the burden to proceed. They needed to provide sufficient evidence that a crime was committed in the case of Linda Stoltzfoos' disappearance
- [NY Man Charged With "Burning Down" Amish Mailboxes Using Molotov Cocktails](https://amishamerica.com/ny-man-charged-with-burning-down-amish-mailboxes-using-molotov-cocktails/): An upstate New York man used explosive Molotov cocktails to "burn down the mailboxes" of two Amish "business associates". It's been well-documented that Amish can be targets of vandalism and harrassment. Some cases are driven by pure dislike of the Amish, or as a sort of boredom-killing prank. This case seems to have had a
- [Daniel Gingerich Surrenders Over 500 Dogs, Banned From Breeding Business](https://amishamerica.com/daniel-gingerich-surrenders-over-500-dogs-banned-from-breeding-business/): This story happened several weeks ago, but is a follow up on the puppy mill case in Iowa covered here back in October. Breeder Daniel Gingerich of the Seymour, Iowa Amish community surrendered over 500 dogs in early November, and has been banned from breeding and selling dogs: Daniel Gingerich hoarded more than 500 dogs
- [ATF Seizes Guns From Lancaster Amish Farm; Owner Was Selling Without A License](https://amishamerica.com/atf-seizes-guns-from-lancaster-amish-farm-owner-was-selling-without-a-license/): An Amish dairy farmer illegally selling firearms? A surprising story last week told of a Lancaster Amishman having an unspecified number of guns seized by ATF agents from his farm. From Lancaster Online: Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives seized firearms from a Leacock Township property earlier this month and an
- [Indiana Barn Arsonist Couple Now Charged With Setting Fire To Amish School](https://amishamerica.com/indiana-barn-arsonist-couple-now-charged-with-burning-amish-school/): Joseph Hershberger, 41, and Sherry Thomas, 32, had already been charged with eight counts of arson for barn fires in the Elkhart County area, including Amish-owned barns. The eight fires were started in southern Elkhart County and northern Kosciusko County periodically throughout 2021. Charges for the barn arsons were brought against the couple in December,
- [Footage Shows Passed-Out Amish Driver In Moving Buggy...Then Hits Police Car](https://amishamerica.com/passed-out-amish-driver-hits-police-car/): This story won't make this guy's parents proud....and unfortunately it's not an isolated incident in this community (Geauga County, Ohio). A 21-year-old Amish male struck a police cruiser while passed out drunk in a moving buggy. Here's the gist of what happened May 14 via WKYC: The horse didn’t come to a stop and continued
- [Amishman Sentenced For Sexual Abuse After Amish Community Reported Him](https://amishamerica.com/amishman-sentenced-for-sexual-abuse-after-community-reported-him/): From Bangor Daily News: HOULTON, Maine — A 29-year-old Sherman man, who is a member of the town’s Amish community, pleaded guilty to a sex crime Monday afternoon, while appearing in Houlton District Court. Rudy L. Miller was sentenced to five years in prison with all but nine months suspended by Judge Patrick Larson for
- [Someone Is Throwing Rocks Through Amish Windows In Ohio](https://amishamerica.com/someone-is-throwing-rocks-through-amish-windows-in-ohio/): And not only rocks. Someone (or someones) is attacking Amish homes in the early morning hours, throwing dangerous objects through home windows. This has played out in a series of attacks on Amish residences in north-central Ohio over the past several months. From the report by News 5 Cleveland: MEDINA, Ohio — The Medina County
- [Bizarre: Man With Amish Appearance & Name Sought To Kill 11 Amish Children](https://amishamerica.com/man-with-amish-appearance-name-sought-to-kill-11-amish-children/): Bizarre and disturbing story out of an Amish community in Missouri. A man (who happens to have an Amish appearance, and a name typical among Amish) allegedly confessed to seeking to kill 11 Amish children in the community. The number is oddly specific, and the story doesn't elaborate on who the children were, or why
- [Indiana Man Receives 8-Year Sentence For Fraud Targeting Amish & Mennonites](https://amishamerica.com/indiana-man-receives-8-year-sentence-fraud-targeting-amish-mennonites/): An Indiana man who schemed Amish and Mennonite investors out of millions of dollars has been sentenced after being found guilty of fraud in May 2022. From WNDU: SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) - A Goshen man has been sentenced to just over eight years in prison and has been ordered to pay over $2 million
- [Is Isreal Easterday, Convicted For January 6 Attacks, Really Amish?](https://amishamerica.com/is-isreal-easterday-convicted-for-january-6-attacks-really-amish/): Is "Easterday" an Amish surname In Kentucky? Or anywhere else for that matter? I'm asking because of an unusual detail in a recent report which caught my eye. A 23-year-old man named Isreal Easterday was convicted and recently sentenced to two years in prison for a pepper spray attack on two Capitol police officers on
- [Crime Experiences Of The Amish...Told By The Amish](https://amishamerica.com/crime-experiences-of-the-amish/): There is no doubt that the media loves to report on crimes of all kinds, and experienced by all kinds of people. And none more readily make the news than crimes with Amish as the victims. Like all crime stories, it is the more heinous incidents that most likely make the front page. For several
- [Identity-Swapping Twins Try To Get Buggy Crash Charges Dismissed](https://amishamerica.com/identity-swapping-twins-try-to-get-buggy-crash-charges-dismissed/): The Petersen sisters, who you might remember from the buggy-car crash which killed two Amish schoolgirls in Minnesota, are trying to avoid a trial. Sarah and Samantha Petersen allegedly swapped identities so that one sister could take the blame instead of the other. Samantha was allegedly high on drugs when her vehicle hit the buggy
- [Jury Selection Scheduled For Man Accused In Rebekah Byler Murder](https://amishamerica.com/jury-selection-scheduled-for-man-accused-in-rebekah-byler-murder/): As noted in the latest update, the trial of Shawn C. Cranston will take place this coming November. The Corry, PA resident is accused of killing Amish woman Rebekah Byler, 23, and her unborn baby. A bit more news has come out after Cranston appeared at a pre-trial proceeding Monday. Jury selection has been scheduled
- [Rebekah Byler Murder Case: PA Attorney General Takes Over; Trial Coming In March](https://amishamerica.com/rebekah-byler-murder-case-pa-attorney-general-takes-over-trial-coming-march-2025/): It's been awhile since we've had news on the Rebekah Byler homicide case. We last got an update in early October, when the trial of the accused, Shawn C. Cranston of Corry, PA, was moved for the second time. At that time a continuance was granted to the defense, as more time was needed to
- [Gospel Song "Here Today" by Ben & Rose](https://amishamerica.com/new-song-from-amish-couple-ben-rose-here-today/): Ben and Rose are back with a lovely new song just released a couple of hours ago as I post this. "Here Today" is described as "an old Gospel song". It's a song with a weighty message - but Ben and Rose's rendition has an upbeat feel. "Here today - and we'll be gone tomorrow."
- [Kentucky Amish Girls Sing "City of Light" (Video)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-girls-singing/): Here's a video of a singing taken in the Guthrie, Kentucky Amish community (thanks to Mike for passing it along). From the video commentary, the occasion was a funeral visitation - for an Amish man hit while driving a tractor. From the video description by Simon Kinsinger: 4/8/2010 At my uncle Sam Swareys funeral vistitation
- [Amish Teen Charged With Murder Of Amish Woman (Ohio)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-teen-charged-in-murder-of-amish-woman-ohio/): I believe "shocking" is appropriate to describe this case. A young Amish man has been charged with the murder of an Amish woman in Ohio. And according to police, he has made a confession - of a sort (more on that below). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5QCJJ3_jFE This is out of Meigs County, Ohio, home to a tiny Amish
- [New Ben & Rose Song: "When You Say Nothing At All"](https://amishamerica.com/new-ben-rose-song-when-you-say-nothing-at-all/): Amish Country music couple Ben and Rose are back with a new cover: "When You Say Nothing At All". This is a more modern-feeling country song and more along the lines of a soft ballad. The video description tells us that it "was written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz and most famously sung by
- [Amish Country Through The Seasons (12 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-country-through-the-seasons-12-photos/): Not long before he passed away in 2021, Don Shenk shared with me a wonderful collection of his Amish Country images. Don took some beautiful photos over the years (mostly in Lancaster County, PA), compiling them in photo books. We had a look at one selection of his images in this 2021 post. I recently
- [Amish Girls Sing "How Great Thou Art" (With Instruments)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-girls-sing-with-instruments/): The reader who shares today's video clip (at end of post) writes, "it's different, with some instruments". Those instruments include a Casio keyboard, guitar and accordion. This is a short clip filmed last year by Ernest Bontrager in Pinecraft. He describes the group as the "Tri Valley Singers from Ohio". The girls played on Estrada Street
- [Teenage Burglar Gets 8 Days in Jail For Amish Break-Ins](https://amishamerica.com/teenage-burglar-gets-eight-days-for-amish-business-break-ins/): There are a couple of things that grab your attention about this latest story of crime against the Amish (more below). From wearegreenbay.com: WAUSHARA COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) – A 17-year-old boy from Wisconsin has reached a plea agreement after allegedly burglarizing two Amish-owned businesses, including one location that was targeted twice. According to the Waushara
- [Is This "First Air-Conditioned Top Buggy" Real?](https://amishamerica.com/is-this-first-air-conditioned-top-buggy-real/): This is a story about Dinky's Auction House in the Amish settlement in Daviess County, Indiana. It contains an intriguing detail which goes largely unexplained. There is a photo showing a buggy described as the "First Air Conditioned Top Buggy" (below). So this is something I've never heard of before. We've discussed heating in buggies.
- [Someone Stole Five Amish Puppies Worth Thousands of Dollars (Lancaster County)](https://amishamerica.com/someone-stole-five-amish-puppies-worth-thousands-of-dollars/): I'm calling them "Amish puppies" in the title as shorthand. But you know what I mean here. Amish-owned puppies. Five of them have gone missing from a Lancaster County farm. This report is from WHTM: LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)– Pennsylvania State Police are searching for a suspect who stole five Labradoodle puppies from an Amish
- [Lancaster Amish Family Evening Singing At Home (Video)](https://amishamerica.com/lancaster-amish-family-evening-singing-at-home-video/): I like this video (see bottom of post) not so much for the song itself, but for the feel of sitting around in an Amish home in the evening. You've got the soft glow of the propane light, the water pitcher at the ready, the utilitarian folding chairs. Dinner's been eaten, and everyone's circled around
- [Three Songs From The Singing Amish Sisters](https://amishamerica.com/3-more-songs-from-the-singing-amish-sisters/): Last week we heard two Amish sisters singing Amazing Grace, accompanied by one sister's guitar playing. There were actually several more songs from that same after-dinner session that I wanted to share with you. It sounds like these lucky diners got a nice little concert. These songs are all a bit peppier than the slower
- [A Visit to BB's Grocery Outlet (Quarryville, PA)](https://amishamerica.com/bbs-grocery-store-quarryville-pa-lancaster-county/): Another of my business stops in Lancaster County was BB's Grocery Outlet. This is a "plain chain", with four five locations throughout southeastern PA. BB's actually has a website which gives you the background: BB's Grocery Outlet is a discount grocery chain that was started in 1986 on an Amish Farm in Lancaster County, PA.
- [“Our heart just felt drawn to come help” ~ The Amish Rebuild in NC (11 Images & Video)](https://amishamerica.com/our-heart-just-felt-drawn-to-come-help-amish-rebuild-in-nc/): Last month we learned how the Amish were helping rebuild in the wonderfully-named town of Bat Cave, NC. Today it's a report on how Amish have been helping with Hurricane Helene relief efforts in a nearby town. And we even have some on-camera comments from some of the Amish young people involved. Chimney Rock is
- [What Happens At An Amish Communion Service?](https://amishamerica.com/what-happens-at-an-amish-communion-service/): The Amish hold Communion twice yearly, in the spring and in the fall. The Communion service is an important time of affirming unity, described as "the highest and holiest moment of the Amish church calendar" (see The Amish Way p. 69). Why do Amish observe Communion? In 1001 Questions And Answers On The Christian Life,
- [9 Scrumptious Amish-Style Breakfast Recipes You Need to Try](https://amishamerica.com/9-scrumptious-amish-style-breakfast-recipes-you-need-to-try/): There is no meal I enjoy more in an Amish home than breakfast. The Amish do have a lot of their own classics - think scrapple (aka "pon hoss") or breakfast casserole - and also some more unorthodox breakfast items (Shoofly cake for breakfast anyone?). Enjoy this nice collection of more conventional Amish-style breakfast favorites
- [Inside A "Plainly" Beautiful Amish Home (31 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-a-plainly-beautiful-amish-home-31-photos/): Here we have a neat Amish home in west-central Pennsylvania (Luthersburg). There are some really nice photos here - and interesting features to check out in this large-family home. I'm calling this home "plainly" beautiful because it provides a striking visual contrast. As you'll see below, it has an almost fancy-looking, beautiful space downstairs -
- [14 Must-Try Amish Dessert Bars You’ll Love](https://amishamerica.com/14-must-try-amish-dessert-bars-youll-love/): Cookies and pies might get all the glory - but dessert bars are an underrated favorite on the Amish sweets-and-goodies menu. The Amish make them for their families - a handy treat to have on hand in the pantry. They're also made and served in some Amish churches - as part of the after-church fellowship
- [15 Amish-Style BLUE Bedroom Designs You’ll Love](https://amishamerica.com/15-amish-style-blue-bedroom-designs-youll-love/): The color blue figures largely into the design patterns found in many Amish communities. Certain groups of Amish are known for their use of their color - often sky blue and variants of it. For example, the Amish of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania are known for their tradition of painting their front (and other) doors a
- [12 Scrumptious Amish Summer Corn Recipes](https://amishamerica.com/12-summertime-amish-corn-recipes-for-your-table/): Corn might be the quintessential Amish crop. Fields of green tasseled stalks are ubiquitous when driving past farms in the many corners of the country where Amish live. Of course, that corn is the kind destined for livestock, and not what we mean here. We need to look closer, at the large gardens standard to
- [Machete-Wielding Man Threatened Amish...Now Seeks Redemption](https://amishamerica.com/machete-wielding-man-who-threatened-amish-now-seeks-redemption/): Last year we learned of a Michigan man who'd made repeated threats of violence against Amish people ("Michigan Man (Finally?) Arrested After Amish Knife Threats"). This struck me as a rather bizarre story at the time. So I'm glad we have now gotten a follow-up - filling in more details on why this man apparently
- [Three Amish Siblings Killed In Pony Cart Crash](https://amishamerica.com/three-amish-siblings-killed-in-pony-cart-crash/): Horrible news from the Nappanee, Indiana Amish community. From WNDU: MARSHALL COUNTY, Ind. (WNDU) - The Marshall County coroner says the three kids who were killed in a crash this morning involving a car and an Amish buggy were all siblings from Bremen. They’ve been identified as 13-year-old Glenda Jo Yoder, 10-year-old Darrell Yoder and
- [Amish Speedily Repair Tornado Damage - Before Gov't Agency Can Even Have A Look](https://amishamerica.com/amish-speedily-repair-tornado-damage-before-govt-agency-can-even-have-a-look/): The Amish are making news for how quickly they've repaired damage, following tornadoes in Indiana and Michigan. From wral.com: The report below is from twin tornadoes in Indiana, one of which was rated an EF-1. Before the local National Weather Service could survey some of the damage, an Amish community already made repairs to several
- [Alleged Amish Buggy Robber Arrested](https://amishamerica.com/alleged-amish-buggy-robber-arrested/): Good news in the recent Amish buggy robbery story - a suspect has been captured in northwestern Pennsylvania. Reported Friday by WFMJ: A West Middlesex man is being held in the Mercer County Jail following his arrest for an armed robbery and an attempted robbery of men driving horse-drawn buggies in Amish country. Todd Baker,
- [5 Plain Amish Communities](https://amishamerica.com/5-plain-amish-communities/): In many ways, the Amish are not one uniform group. To take one example, there are material differences between churches and communities. On one end, there are Amish who permit telephones in the home, regularly hire Amish taxi drivers to transport them for errands or to and from work, and who have homes which visually
- [Bravo: Amish Still Helping Rebuild Western NC (Report from Bat Cave)](https://amishamerica.com/bravo-amish-still-helping-rebuild-western-nc/): Since Hurricane Helene ravaged western North Carolina and other areas last September, there have been several reports of how Amish, Mennonites, and other volunteers have been helping with cleanup and reconstruction in the region. The good news, from one perspective at least, is that they're still at it. This report from WYFF is from the
- [Buggy Shopping (17 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/buggy-shopping-17-photos/): Most of us have been to a car lot or two in our days, whether buying a new or used auto. This neat photo set shows us the Amish equivalent - a "buggy lot" with many dozens of horse-drawn vehicles for sale. This little photo set is courtesy of Jim Halverson, taken in northern Indiana.
- [Amish Robbed at Gunpoint: Suspect Targets Two Buggies In PA Community](https://amishamerica.com/armed-robber-targets-two-buggies-in-nw-pennsylvania/): Buggies on the road make seemingly easy targets for armed robbers. But often enough, they end up getting caught. That might be bad news for a suspect who has been targeting Amish buggies in northwestern Pennsylvania. From WFMJ: A 30-year-old man from Mercer told police that a small black sedan stopped in front of his
- [Buggy Crash Twin Sentenced: 3 Months In Jail For Identity-Swapping Scheme](https://amishamerica.com/buggy-crash-twin-sentenced-3-months-in-jail-for-identity-swapping-scheme/): In February, we got news that Sarah Beth Petersen had pled guilty. She had been accused of trying to take the fall for her twin sister Samantha Petersen. Authorities allege Samantha was the one actually driving in an accident which claimed two Amish children's lives in 2023. Sarah Beth Petersen received her sentence Monday. From
- [Freak Accident: High Winds Blow Over Amish Buggy; One Person Killed](https://amishamerica.com/freak-accident-high-winds-blow-over-amish-buggy-one-person-killed/): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny_ZkSNhbRQ Tragic and shocking accident in northern Indiana. From WNDU: ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. (WNDU) - One person is dead after National Weather Service officials say strong winds blew over an Amish buggy in Elkhart County. According to NWS, it happened somewhere on State Road 13 near Millersburg during Sunday’s outbreak of severe weather. Details remain
- [A Visit to the Amish of Arthur, Illinois (24 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-community-arthur-illinois/): The Arthur Amish community occupies a special place with me. This was where I first really got to know something about Amish people. As an outsider who knew nothing about them, I never intended to "study the Amish". I could scarcely have had any idea where things might lead when I knocked on that first Amish farmhouse
- [Peek Inside an Amish "Barndominium" (19 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/peek-inside-an-amish-barndominium/): The barndominium is a hot trend right now. And people are noticing that the Amish are doing a version of this - and have been for some time. In fact, we've looked at many examples of Amish shop houses here - and even a barn-and-home-in-one. This one, on the market now in Glasgow, Kentucky, is
- [The Amos Miller Raw Milk Story: A Closer Look](https://amishamerica.com/amos-miller-raw-milk-story-a-closer-look/): There's a new deep-dive story providing more layers to the Amos Miller raw milk saga, by Bethany Rodgers of USA Today. There are a lot of interesting insights here - and views from "both sides" of the issue. I recommend reading the whole thing (link at bottom). Here are some highlights, along with my comments.
- [Amish Girl Killed In (Another) Michigan Crash; Driver Arrested For "Suspected Substance Use"](https://amishamerica.com/amish-girl-killed-another-michigan-crash-driver-arrested-suspected-substance-use/): From WWMT: VAN BUREN COUNTY, Mich. — A young girl is dead and a boy is in critical condition after a buggy crash. A 31-year-old Mattawan woman was arrested for "suspected substance use" after she rear-ended an Amish buggy on County Road 215 and 60th Avenue Wednesday, killing an 8-year-old girl and critically injuring a
- [Amish Step Up To Help English Neighbors After Tornado Strike](https://amishamerica.com/amish-step-up-to-help-english-neighbors-after-tornado-strike/): The community is Parke County, Indiana (Rockville). Amish here decided to help their neighbors in need following a recent tornado strike. From WTWO 2: ROCKVILLE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Last Saturday morning, an EF1 tornado hit Parke County including the residence of John Cole and his family. The damages include the destruction of a more than
- [Ben & Rose: "If Teardrops Were Pennies" (Amish Country Music)](https://amishamerica.com/ben-rose-amish-country-music-if-teardrops-were-pennies/): Amish Country Music Couple Ben & Rose are back with a fresh new release, their first since last month's "Would You Like To Buy Some Flowers". This one is called "If Teardrops Were Pennies" (video at end of post). This is another tune, like "Circle of Love", previously recorded by Dolly Parton. This one was
- [Amish Toddler Perishes In Farm Accident](https://amishamerica.com/amish-toddler-perishes-in-farm-accident/): From Lancaster Online: A Leacock Township toddler was killed in a farming accident over the weekend, according to an obituary published Monday. Martha G. King, 16 months old, died Saturday afternoon after emergency crews were called to a location near 113 Horseshoe Road for a report of a cardiac arrest. Emergency calls provided no other
- [Florida Amish Softball Games Are... A Big Hit :)](https://amishamerica.com/florida-amish-softball-games-are-a-big-hit/): Sorry, I'm a bit under the weather...and that's the best I could do for a post title :D But on to the story: The Amish in Pinecraft, Florida - a unique, fluctuating Amish community - have a growing tradition of playing softball against non-Amish teams. This was the seventh year of the Amish playing against
- [Not Your Typical Amish Home (18 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/not-your-typical-amish-home-18-photos/): I'm calling this "not your typical" Amish home for a couple of reasons. One is the interior. As you'll see below, it has its share of typical Amish elements. But you'll also notice the overall look of the home is quite different from many of the homes we feature. Another thing that makes it "not
- [Could An Amish Gene Mutation - That Adds 10 YEARS - Extend Lifespans for Everyone?](https://amishamerica.com/could-an-amish-gene-mutation-that-adds-10-years-extend-lifespans-for-everyone/): Back in 2017, a story about a potentially life-extending gene mutation found in an Amish community went gangbusters. You can understand why. The gene mutation was credited with giving its Amish carriers a lifespan 10 years longer than those Amish who lacked it. From that report: The discovery was made by scientists from Northwestern University:
- [Amish Mom Murder Case Twist: New Witnesses Claim Girlfriend Suggested Targeting Byler Home & Cranston Had A "Meth Issue". Trial Postponed For 3rd Time](https://amishamerica.com/amish-mom-murder-case-new-witnesses-claim-cranston-meth-issue-girlfriend-suggested-byler-home-trial-postponed-again/): The trial of Shawn C. Cranston in the killing of Amish mother Rebekah Byler and her unborn child was set to commence this month. Jury selection was scheduled for next Tuesday, March 11th, with the trial to being immediately afterward. That will have to wait. In a surprise, news has just broke that the trial
- [Is Amish Life Hard? One Amishman's Answer](https://amishamerica.com/is-amish-life-hard/): "Don't feel sorry for us, no," John says with a chuckle. "We're having a good life." In this video I interview John Esh. John lives in Nittany Valley in central Pennsylvania and runs the Goot Essa cheese & food company (Full video transcript below). John sat down for a longer conversation with me a week
- [Court: NO Vaccine Exemption For Amish Children; Amish FINED $118,000](https://amishamerica.com/no-vaccine-exemption-for-amish-children-amish-fined-118000-dollars/): A federal appeals court has upheld a decision requiring Amish school children to be vaccinated in New York. These are not Amish children who attend public schools. These are Amish children attending Amish-owned and operated schools. Religious objections do not work here, according to the Second Circuit court ruling. From Courthouse News: MANHATTAN (CN) —
- [20 Favorite Lancaster County Amish Photos (A Sunny Winter Day)](https://amishamerica.com/lancaster-county-photos/): I'm no pro when it comes to photos. In fact, I'm a big believer in the volume school of photography. Maybe you know it? It's only become possible thanks to digital cameras. Volume school photographers know that the more photos you take, the higher the chances a few will come out alright. So I try
- [New Song From Ben & Rose: "Would You Like To Buy Some Flowers"](https://amishamerica.com/new-song-ben-and-rose-amish-country-music-would-you-like-to-buy-some-flowers/): There's a wonderful new Ben & Rose studio song out now (released about two weeks ago, in fact) called "Would You Like To Buy Some Flowers". I missed it until now, because it was released on a different YouTube channel (more on that below). If you've missed previous posts, Ben & Rose are the young
- [Amish Sing "I Am Free" Underground In NYC (Video)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-sing-i-am-free-underground-nyc-video/): We've lately seen photos of Amish on the beach on Staten Island, so how about Amish singing an uplifting Christian song in the NYC subway?  Update: The uploader has disabled playback on other websites, so you can view it here. Beautifully sung. There is some discussion in the Youtube comments over whether these are
- [Winter Images by Bill Coleman](https://amishamerica.com/winter-images-by-bill-coleman/): I grew up in a place that got little snow. When winter weather happened in central North Carolina, it was something special. Now I live in a place that gets a lot of it, and it's not so special. Is this how it works for everyone? You like winter weather if you don't get
- [Suspect CRASHES Into Amish Children After 90 MPH Chase](https://amishamerica.com/driver-crashes-into-amish-wagon-six-children-90-mph-chase/): A man wanted on multiple serious charges led police on a high-speed chase in a remote part of Maine - with the pursuit ending after he hit an Amish wagon carrying six children. Fortunately, somehow no one was hurt, which doesn't sound like what you'd expect after learning that speeds reached 90 MPH. From Fox
- [Inside A Rustic & Spacious Amish Home (22 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-a-rustic-spacious-amish-home-22-photos/): I love the photos of this Amish home, on the market in southern Indiana. You'll see some really neat interior pics below - a mix of plainer rustic charm and spaciousness. These are pretty fresh photos as well going by the snow (it's only been on Zillow for about three weeks). The community is at
- [11 Stunning Amish-Style Coffee Tables to Transform Your Living Room](https://amishamerica.com/11-stunning-amish-style-coffee-tables-to-transform-your-living-room/): Amish furniture makers across the nation build furniture in a wide range of styles - including timeless varieties like Mission and Shaker - as well as more modern and contemporary designs. This list of 11 Amish-style coffee tables gives you a good sense of the types of tables the Amish are capable of producing. Check
- [10 Timeless Amish Cooking Secrets You Need to Try](https://amishamerica.com/10-timeless-amish-cooking-secrets-you-need-to-try/): The Amish have a well-deserved, rich cooking heritage, with a combination of Pennsylvania Dutch tradition cuisine - such as sauerkraut, butter noodles, and shoofly pie - side-by-side with more contemporary recipes - like Italian or Mexican-inspired dishes. Try this list of ten Amish cooking secrets to add a bit of Amish tradition to your next
- [10 Gorgeous Amish-Inspired Kitchen Ideas to Transform Your Space](https://amishamerica.com/10-gorgeous-amish-inspired-kitchen-ideas-to-transform-your-space/): The kitchen is one of the most-used spaces in the typical Amish home. Amish kitchens are spacious, practical, and often filled with handcrafted furniture and cabinetry, reflecting their woodworking tradition. Those elements - along with some other Amish-flavored ideas - appear on this list of 10 ideas you can use to create an Amish-inspired kitchen
- [Amish "Wannabe" ASSAULTS & KIDNAPS Amish Girl - Saved By Brave Amish Woman](https://amishamerica.com/amish-wannabe-assaults-kidnaps-amish-girl-saved-by-brave-amish-woman/): This is a crazy story which somehow flew under my radar the last two days. In Arthur, Illinois, a man who is described as wanting to join the Amish attacked and then attempted to kidnap a 16-year-old Amish girl. I only write "attempted" because she was saved by a 20-year-old female Amish relative - who
- [10 Delicious Amish Cookie Recipes That Feel Like Home](https://amishamerica.com/10-delicious-amish-cookie-recipes-that-feel-like-home/): Cookies are one of the most common Amish baked goods. Typical Amish homes have a steady supply of them, baked up using family or community recipe books. Cookies in an Amish home make for a tasty snack or dessert, sometimes creatively combined with other treats like ice cream. Check out these 10 Amish cookie recipes
- [Yoders Celebrate 300 Years In North America](https://amishamerica.com/yoders-celebrate-300-years-north-america/): Do you know any Yoders? If so, you might want to congratulate them on a big anniversary. It's been three centuries since the first Anabaptist Yoder set foot in North America. Shipshewana, IN will be home to a special edition of the Yoder Reunion event: The 2017 National Yoder Reunion will take place Sept. 20 to 23, and
- [10 Common Amish Surnames](https://amishamerica.com/common-amish-surnames/): Certain Amish surnames occur with great frequency. Here are ten of the most common: 1. Miller The most common of all Amish last names. Joseph Stoll writes: "The German spelling was Müller, and because there were many Millers in Europe, the name was very common, with no common ancestor for many people of this name.
- [Flip The Script: This Time, Amish Rescue ENGLISH From Flood (Video)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-rescue-english-from-flood/): In a reversal of roles I should have seen coming, Amish have now rescued an English driver from flood waters. It was just a week ago when we learned of an Amishman and his horse being rescued by EMA responders from flooding in Tennessee. Now in Kentucky, Amish have, in a way, returned the favor
- [12 Must-Have Amish Furniture Pieces Perfect for Small Spaces](https://amishamerica.com/12-amish-furniture-pieces-perfect-for-small-spaces/): Amish homes tend to be on the larger side - reflecting their generally large families of six, eight, or more(!) children. But that doesn't mean they don't need to maximize their floor space. These 12 Amish-style furniture pieces - some reflecting traditional Amish styles, others inspired by more modern designs - are meant to help
- [10 Tasty Amish Baked Goods You Can Make with Pantry Staples](https://amishamerica.com/10-delicious-amish-baked-goods-you-can-make-with-pantry-staples/): There's nothing quite like the smell of baking - cookies, breads, pies - wafting through a cozy Amish kitchen. The Amish are experts at whipping up comforting treats using simple, common ingredients. Amish mothers are helped by their daughters (and sometimes sons) to bake a steady supply of treats for their families - as well
- [Slice of Amish Life: Speedy Rollers](https://amishamerica.com/slice-of-amish-life-speedy-rollers/): This photo by Brad Wieland captures what appears to be a rollerblade race between school-age Amish boys. By the clothing and the presence of rollerblades (aka inline skates), we can be pretty sure that this is Lancaster County (no location was provided with the photo). Update: My guess was wrong! Photographer Brad Wieland has checked
- [5 Lesser-Known (But Large-ish) Amish Communities](https://amishamerica.com/five-lesser-known-sizeable-amish-communities/): Large Amish communities and those with a tourist focus (often one and the same) tend to get the most attention. Places like Holmes County, Ohio, Arthur, Illinois, and Lancaster County, Pennsylvania are both well-known and frequently-visited. There are also a number of sizeable Amish communities out there that are overlooked. They are more off-the-beaten path,
- [Amish Skier Carves Up The Roadside (Video)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-skier-carves-up-the-roadside/): It's been a while since we've had footage of an Amish skier. These videos pop up from time to time. This is one of the better ones you'll see. It was taken by "J J", who shares this simple description: I was driving down Mackinac trail in upper Michigan heading to Sault Sainte Marie when
- [9 Delicious Amish-Kissed Easter Dinner Dish Ideas](https://amishamerica.com/9-delicious-amish-easter-dinner-dishes/): Easter is a holiday of high importance for the Amish. Amish people remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on this day. Like other Americans, it is also a special day for family gatherings and food. These nine Amish-inspired dishes are sure to provide a bit of Pennsylvania Dutch flavor to your Easter table.
- [11 Charming Amish-Inspired Bar Stools for Your Kitchen & Home Bar](https://amishamerica.com/11-charming-amish-inspired-bar-stools/): While you might not immediately associate the Amish with bars, Amish craftsmen certainly build all varieties of barstools. Of course, the versatile bar stool has long graduated the local watering hole to become a standard part of many an American kitchen - whether they provide handy seating at a breakfast bar, kitchen island, or even
- [Amish Man & Horse Swept Off Road - Then Rescued From Flood](https://amishamerica.com/amish-man-horse-rescued-from-flood/):  First responders came to the rescue of one Amishman and his horse in Middle Tennessee. The report from WKRN is brief: LAWRENCE COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Lawrence County authorities rescued an Amish driver, horse and buggy from Monday’s floodwaters. A spokesperson with the Lawrence County Emergency Management Agency told News 2 the horse and
- [After Years of Fines, Forced Property Sales, And Prison Threats, Amish Win 20-Year Sewer Battle](https://amishamerica.com/amish-win-20-year-sewer-battle/): This past week brought news that a decades-long dispute over sewer grid connections in northwest Pennsylvania is ending - with a victory for the Amish. The US Department of Justice has intervened to prevent Sugar Grove Township from forcing Amish families to use electricity to connect to the local sewer grid. It's being seen as
- [Inside A "Primitive" Amish Home (14 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/primitive-amish-home-14-photos/): This home is a "cousin" of the "austere" Amish home that we viewed back in December. It's in the same Michigan community - in fact, on the very same road. Perhaps that means that there is a general out-migration happening here in this settlement. Or, perhaps more likely, given their closeness, these two families are
- [Raw Milk Story: Were There Actual Illnesses? Why I'm "Agnostic" On Raw Milk, and...Colostrum](https://amishamerica.com/raw-milk-story-follow-up-agnostic-raw-milk-colostrum/): I covered the recent Amos Miller case update in a video which has gotten close to 100,000 views at this point. A lot of comments on that video challenged the idea that anyone ever fell ill from Amos Miller's products. Some seemed to suggest that there was no issue with Miller's products whatsoever. That surprised
- [11 Cheesy Amish Casseroles That Will Warm Your Soul](https://amishamerica.com/11-cheesy-amish-casseroles-that-will-warm-your-soul/): The casserole has a special spot in the Amish kitchen. When you're feeding a crowd - as the Amish, with their BIG families (averaging 7 or more children) tend to do - you need something hearty that you can whip up in a jiffy. Enter the casserole. This jack-of-all-trades dish is there for busy Amish
- [17 Amish-Flavored Kitchen Designs That Will Inspire You](https://amishamerica.com/17-amish-style-kitchen-designs-that-will-inspire-you/): The kitchen is arguably the most important room in an Amish home. Spend some time among the Amish and you'll see why that's the case. Besides a gathering space for formal meal times, it is a place to sit and talk with visitors, pay monthly bills, and of course prepare food for the family and
- [9 Quick & Easy Amish Snack Recipes To Try Today](https://amishamerica.com/9-quick-easy-amish-snack-recipes/): If there's one thing the Amish know well, it's snacking. That's the name of the game when you're living a typical active Amish lifestyle. Whether it's a quick treat between chores, or late night gathered around the living room with family, Amish children and adults appreciate a good fast snack. In my experience, the Amish
- [10 Gorgeous Amish Chairs That Prove Simple Is Always In Style](https://amishamerica.com/10-gorgeous-simple-amish-chairs/): Though the typical Amish kitchen table will often have a rag-tag mix of seating - including benches, office chairs, and mismatched seats, added as the family rapidly grows - the Amish appreciate the value of a quality chair. And Amish furniture builders also among the best when it comes to crafting seating for the various
- [The Amish In The "Middle Of Nowhere" (One Year Later)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-in-the-middle-of-nowhere-one-year-later/): Back in December of 2023, that's how I described the fledgling community being founded at the time in the Sandhills region of Nebraska. Why "Middle of Nowhere"? This is why: Amish who appear to be a part of the Michigan Circle (that group has been showing up a good bit here lately) have started up a new settlement in
- [Crash Which Killed Two Amish Children: One Twin Pleads Guilty](https://amishamerica.com/crash-which-killed-two-amish-children-one-twin-pleads-guilty/): From the Minnesota Star-Tribune: A 36-year-old woman is pleading guilty to concocting an identity-swapping scheme with her twin sister to deceive law enforcement about who was actually driving an SUV that hit an Amish buggy in southeastern Minnesota, killing two of the four children aboard. Sarah Beth Petersen, 36, of Kellogg, Minn., pleaded guilty Tuesday
- [Watch An Amish Barn Go Up - In 200 Seconds (Video)](https://amishamerica.com/watch-an-amish-barn-go-up-in-200-seconds/): I love this time-lapse video. It's the best I've ever seen of its kind. Here you can observe 10 hours of barn-raising condensed down to about 200 seconds. This took place in LaRue, Ohio, which is the Kenton Amish community. The photographer's wife gives the back story: My husband, Scott Miller, shot this video with
- [10 Amish-Inspired Valentine’s Decor Ideas](https://amishamerica.com/10-amish-inspired-valentines-decor-ideas/): Like other Americans, Amish couples and schoolchildren celebrate Valentine's Day every February 14 (note: observance can vary in different Amish communities). Exchanging candy and cards, and enjoying Valentine's-themed desserts and meals are among the ways Amish enjoy the day. To add a touch of Valentine's beauty to your home this year, take some inspiration from
- [10 Handcrafted Amish Furniture Pieces That Will Last A Lifetime](https://amishamerica.com/10-handcrafted-amish-furniture-pieces-that-will-last-a-lifetime/): The Amish have a longstanding reputation as good furniture makers - and for good reason. The furniture pieces they craft in their typically small home workshops tend to stand the test of time. Attention to detail, materials, an eye for beauty all contribute to durable, beautiful pieces. The marketing term often used in the industry
- [10 Delicious Amish Valentine's Day Desserts](https://amishamerica.com/10-delicious-amish-valentines-day-desserts/): If you're wondering if the Amish celebrate Valentine's Day, the answer is YES. Amish Valentine's Day traditions include schoolchildren exchanging Valentine's cards and themed lunches, and Amish couples gathering for special Valentine's Dinners where ALL the food is a shade of pink or red (not just dessert). For something sweet this Valentine's Day, try one
- [5 Important Events in Amish History](https://amishamerica.com/5-important-events-in-amish-history/): The Amish have been around for over 300 years, with a history spanning both Europe and North America. Here are five important events in the story of the Amish. Source: Steven Nolt's A History of the Amish. Five Landmark Events in Amish History These aren't the only important dates in Amish history, of course. But
- [10 Cozy Amish-Inspired Bedroom Designs](https://amishamerica.com/10-cozy-amish-inspired-bedroom-designs/): Just like the Amish themselves are not all the same - the styles of Amish homes can really vary as well. Some are extremely plain and spartan. Others are filled with warm accents and cozy furnishings. From patchwork quilts to Shaker-style furniture to wooden flooring and large windows, these home designs capture select elements of
- [Amish Praised For Battling Devastating Fire](https://amishamerica.com/amish-volunteers-praised-for-battling-fire/): Last week, a "historic fire" left a "massive trail of damage" in the upstate New York village of Ovid (Seneca County). These photos from a variety of sources show the size of the blaze and extent of the damage. When I saw the name Ovid, I immediately recognized it as the location of a long-standing
- [10 Hearty Amish-Style Winter Soups](https://amishamerica.com/10-hearty-amish-style-winter-soups/): Though life slows down a bit as the seasons turn cold, the Amish are active in winter time - whether it's doing farm chores, attending an auction or wedding, or getting in some outdoor recreation. In this hearty soup collection you'll find classics like Seven Bean Soup and Chicken Noodle, along with more modern interpretations
- [10 Beautiful Amish-Style Tables For Your Kitchen](https://amishamerica.com/10-beautiful-amish-style-tables-for-your-kitchen/): Over the years I've enjoyed visiting Amish furniture workshops all across America. You'd be surprised at some of the beautiful pieces that come out of these often humble-looking family workshops. Back when I was first discovering Amish furniture...I was amazed to learn of the many different styles Amish furniture builders can produce. They do create
- [10 Iconic Amish Recipes to Add to Your Meal Plan](https://amishamerica.com/10-iconic-amish-recipes-to-add-to-your-meal-plan/): When I'm in Amish Country, I am a big fan of the FOOD. This list is a great starter covering the best-known, favorite Amish recipes - the ones that you'll see touted on restaurant menus and on the covers of recipe books. Cycle these into your meal routine to give yourself a regular "taste of
- [New Song From Amish Couple Ben & Rose: "The Little Mountain Church House"](https://amishamerica.com/amish-couple-ben-rose-perform-little-mountain-church-house/): Right after I got caught up this week with a post on their cover of Dolly Parton's "Circle of Love", Amish country music couple Ben & Rose have released another video. The song is "Little Mountain Church House", and we immediately see (or rather, hear) a couple of differences in this one. For one, Ben
- [Amos Miller Raw Milk Update: Court Allows Out-of-State Sales To Continue](https://amishamerica.com/amos-miller-raw-milk-update-court-allows-out-of-state-sales-to-continue/): Amos Miller will be permitted to continue selling his raw milk products beyond Pennsylvania's borders, according to a recent ruling. From Lancaster Online: A state appeals court ruling earlier this month affirmed farmer Amos Miller can continue selling his raw milk outside of Pennsylvania while a state agriculture department’s lawsuit against him proceeds. The Pennsylvania
- [Amish Woman (?) Wanted For Theft](https://amishamerica.com/amish-woman-wanted-for-theft/): I should put the (?) in bold in the headline. This person is described as wearing Amish woman's clothing. And that looks to be the case (see below). But is she actually Amish? The "track record" of the Amish, who on the whole are not known to steal or rob, would suggest otherwise. But individuals
- [What's a good gift for an Amish person?](https://amishamerica.com/whats-a-good-gift-for-an-amish-person/): This is a question that comes up from time to time, most recently asked by reader Treva. The sense I get is that people: want to buy something culturally appropriate that the receiver will appreciate, and above all to not offend anyone with their gift. Getting a gift for an Amish person is not as
- [Amish Country Music Couple Perform Dolly Parton's "Circle Of Love" (Video)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-country-music-couple-perform-dolly-partons-circle-of-love/): Ben and Rose, the "Amish Country Music Couple", put out another video a few weeks after their cover of country classic "Slowly But Surely". This tune is called "Circle of Love", and it is a Christmas song written by Dolly Parton. I missed it at the time of release a week before Christmas. But since
- [Visiting a "Lancaster Maryland" Amish Food Stand (20 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/maryland-amish-food-stand-visit/): As the Lancaster County Amish community has grown, it has sprawled beyond the borders of the county itself. And for years, readers have noted that Lancaster County Amish are living across the state line in Maryland. On a previous visit to Pennsylvania (Dec. 2023), I drove around a bit in the area of Rising Sun
- [The 10 Oldest Amish Communities](https://amishamerica.com/10-oldest-amish-settlements/):  A new Amish settlement is started, on average, every few weeks. Today there are around 700 Amish communities in North America. Most were founded over the past 20-some years. Amish migration has gotten much attention recently. New settlements appearing in places like Colorado, Maine, and New York attest to a pioneer spirit which has
- [10 Views of Virginia's Largest Amish Community](https://amishamerica.com/virginia-largest-amish-community/): So here are ten (more) views from Virginia's largest Amish community - in Charlotte County. I did a post like this five years ago. Some things have changed in this community, and some things haven't. Let's have a look. As you approach the community from the south, a sign alerts you to be on the
- [Sheriff Seeks Driver in (Another) Michigan Buggy Hit & Run](https://amishamerica.com/sheriff-seeks-driver-in-michigan-buggy-hit-run/): Yet another hit-and-run accident on an Amish buggy has occurred. This one was in Clare County, Michigan, an area which we cover here on the site fairly frequently. From ABC 12 News: CLARE COUNTY, Mich. (WJRT) - Police are looking for a full-size Ford pickup truck involved in a hit-and-run crash with an Amish buggy
- [Titus Wagler: 1958 - 2024](https://amishamerica.com/titus-wagler-1958-2024/): Randy Evans writes about the passing of Titus Wagler, of Bloomfield, Iowa. Titus was brother to Ira Wagler, and son to David Wagler, both well-known writers with Amish roots. From Randy's recent column "Never put off what you might regret": This lesson arrived the week before Christmas when I spotted a small obituary in the
- [Five Remote Amish Settlements](https://amishamerica.com/5-remote-amish-settlements/): You might have noticed that Amish settlements tend to cluster together on the map. Especially in high-Amish-population states, many communities lie within a short drive or even buggying distance. In fact, most individual Amish settlements are going to be within a half-hour to an hour's car drive from at least one other settlement. Even when
- [7 Amish Communities I'd Like To Visit](https://amishamerica.com/7-amish-communities-id-like-to-visit/): Back when I was tallying up the list of Amish communities I've already visited, I got to thinking about the ones I haven't been to yet, but would like to visit. The list below is my current "top seven." Maybe one of these is on your list? 1. Conewango Valley, New York This plainer-side Amish
- [Inside A West Virginia Amish Home (20 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-west-virginia-amish-home/): West Virginia has become one of the "rapid growth" Amish states. It's gone from three to 14 communities in just eight years. So it's no surprise to see an Amish home from the state up for sale online (I believe this is the first I've come across from the Mountain State). As you can see
- [Amish With Southern Accents?](https://amishamerica.com/amish-with-southern-accents/): I really enjoy all the various accents we have in American English - the regional dialects, quirky localisms, unique manners of speaking (this may be because I also apparently have an odd way of speaking :) ). Amish in different communities have different accents and pronunciations when they speak English as well. When you compare
- [Visiting An Amish "Food-and-More" Store (30 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/charlotte-county-virginia-amish-food-store/): I dropped in on the Charlotte County, Virginia Amish community just before Christmas. I've been visiting this one since there were just a relative handful of Amish here. As the community has slowly grown over the years, the number of Amish-run stores here seems to be slowly increasing as well. One of the places I
- [Amish Family Performs "Auld Lang Syne"](https://amishamerica.com/amish-family-performs-auld-lang-syne/): Here's one for your New Year. Following the Amish Country Music Video post, some of you brought back to my attention videos by the Brandenberger family of northern Indiana. I had come across these some years ago but forgotten about them. I think at the time I wasn't 100% sure if this was an Amish family
- [The Three Amish Christmases](https://amishamerica.com/the-three-amish-christmases/): Did you know that Amish celebrate three separate Christmases? By this I mean three separate days called by some variation of the name "Christmas". Two of them occur in December, and one in January. Christmas (December 25) First of course, there is the Christmas we all know, on December 25th. This is the official Christmas,
- [Favorite Posts of 2024](https://amishamerica.com/favorite-posts-of-2024/): We are about to turn the page on another year. How time flies. As we always do this time of year, a look back at some favorite posts from the past 365 days. Some of these posts were highly-viewed. Others generated good discussion and responses from you. They're not all necessarily about happy topics (for
- [A Snowy Visit To Amish In Michigan (12 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/snowy-visit-amish-michigan/): Jim Halverson has checked in with another visit to Amish in Clare County, Michigan. This visit took place a few days before Christmas. There are two Amish communities in the county, one much larger than the other, and a third partially in the county. In addition to the snow-covered landscape you can see Jim also
- [Five Ways The Amish Celebrate Christmas](https://amishamerica.com/5-ways-the-amish-celebrate-christmas/): With December 25th around the corner, it's the perfect time to look at how Amish observe Christmas. Contributor Rebecca Miller, member of an Ohio Amish church, shares with us five ways her own family celebrates Christ's birth (the ways Amish people observe the season may vary). How Do The Amish Celebrate Christmas? I have been
- [10 Unusual Amish Communities](https://amishamerica.com/10-unusual-amish-communities/): One thing that makes the Amish such a rich and vibrant group is that there are various ways of "being Amish". Across nearly 700 different communities and dozens of affiliations, you can notice quite a number of differences in the ways Amish people live and manifest their faith. One common type of comment I come
- [Amish "Circle Letters" (Explained)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-circle-letters-tradition/):  I asked Marlene Lehman about the Amish custom of circle letters. If you haven't heard of the circle letter, it's a delightfully old-fashioned way for Amish people (with some sort of connection - sometimes "deep", sometimes based on coincidence) to stay connected across communities. A viewer on YouTube jokingly referred to the circle letter
- [Goodbye To A Semi-Famous Amish Business](https://amishamerica.com/goodbye-to-a-semi-famous-amish-business/): It's not "goodbye" quite yet, but one Maine Amishman is soon closing down his - dare I say semi-famous - upscale meats-and-cheeses market. I call it "semi-famous" because Matthew Secich's Charcuterie has been featured multiple times in newspaper articles. Part of the public interest has to do with his unusual background. Secich is a former
- [New JPAC Issue Out Now: Amish Relief Work, Extinct Settlements & More](https://amishamerica.com/jpac-volume-five-issue-one/): Just in time for Christmas! The newest issue of the Journal of Plain Anabaptist Communities (Volume 5, Issue 1) is now released. It is chock full of goodies for your reading stocking, with articles and reviews on a great range of topics. Amish Relief & Development Work The dynamics of continuity and change in Plain
- [Debunking Five Common Amish Health Claims](https://amishamerica.com/debunking-five-amish-health-claims/): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6c5sS45UMU I chipped in ideas for a recent USA Today article challenging some of the wilder health claims you see out there about the Amish. This is the social media post they were responding to: I'm not sure why this particular post was chosen, as these sorts of claims are pretty commonplace. I imagine because
- [6 Places Where Amish Eat Meals](https://amishamerica.com/6-places-where-amish-eat-meals/): The post yesterday on one Amishman's daily schedule mentioned meals - and that got me thinking a bit about the different places Amish eat their meals. So, traditionally Amish life revolves around the home. We picture Amish having regular meal times as a fixed facet of daily life, and safe to say that's still where
- [Three Ways Amish Heat Their Homes](https://amishamerica.com/amish-home-heating/): How do Amish families keep their homes warm? Heating methods and costs are on the minds of many of us, both Amish and English, every year as the calendar moves into the winter months. But as a group which does not use public grid electricity, how do the Amish heat their homes? Here are three
- [Bill Coleman's Amish Autumn (15 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/bill-colemans-autumn-amish-photos/): Autumn used to be my favorite season. I once pitied the folks who lived in areas of the country which don't really have a legitimate autumn. Over the years, I've lost a little enthusiasm for the fall (knowing what's right around the corner - months of frigid air, ice and darkness - prevents you from
- [Inside An Austere Amish Home (17 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-austere-amish-home/): "Austere" was the adjective that struck me on my first look at these photos. We've looked at plenty of plainer Amish homes here before. This one definitely belongs in that group. The home is in the area of Reading in Hillsdale County, Michigan. This is the southern bit, the state's sole county which borders both
- [Amish Are Suing Over The Ohio Buggy Light Law](https://amishamerica.com/amish-sue-over-buggy-light-law/): The Columbus Dispatch reports that Amish in Ohio are suing over a law requiring flashing lights on buggies: The Swartzentruber Amish are suing to overturn Ohio's new traffic law that requires animal-drawn buggies to have yellow flashing lights, saying the law conflicts with the First Amendment protecting their religious expression. The Swartzentruber order, which enlisted
- [Amishman Explains: Beards, Suspenders & The Bonnet](https://amishamerica.com/amishman-explains-beards-suspenders-bonnet/): "It's amazing what our labels do," says Ben Riehl. In this video, Ben explains why Amish men wear beards and suspenders. He also describes the difference between a bonnet and kapp (prayer covering). This was an illuminating and fun discussion. If you prefer to read, you'll find the full transcript of our conversation just below
- [Goot Essa Cheese Giveaway (Plus: A Closer Look at Cheese Caves)](https://amishamerica.com/goot-essa-cheese-giveaway-cheese-caves/): We're doing a cheese basket giveaway for Goot Essa. You can enter to win simply by leaving a comment on this post. I'll post the winner here Friday. The assortment that owner John Esh and co. are giving away is called "Amish Tastes" (see below): From the description: This medium-bodied cheese trio features a palate-pleasing
- [Goot Essa Cheese Winner & John's 10 Favorite Pairings](https://amishamerica.com/goot-essa-cheese-winner-10-favorite-pairings/): We've got a winner in the Goot Essa Cheese Assortment Giveaway. Before I share that, I just want to say a big thank you from both me and John, for all the wonderful comments that you left about the cheese, cheese cave post, and this site/email newsletter. We got about 200 comments on that post,
- [Visiting Amish Stores In Iowa (15 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/visiting-amish-stores-in-iowa/): Reader Denise Joyal shares some nice photos from Amish stores in southern Iowa. Over 10,000 Amish live in Iowa, in around two dozen communities. Denise takes us to stores in two of those communities today. She has previously taken us to Amish stores in Buchanan County, Iowa as well as a look inside a $3
- [My 5 Favorite Amish Communities To Visit](https://amishamerica.com/my-5-favorite-amish-communities-to-visit/): I often get asked which Amish communities I recommend visiting. In total I've been to around 70 Amish communities, many of them multiple times. These are my favorites to return to.  Check out the video above for more images, and more on why I enjoy each. Or if you prefer to read, here are
- [5 Reasons Why People Leave the Amish](https://amishamerica.com/5-reasons-people-leave-the-amish/):  In this video I share five reasons people either a) decide not to join the Amish (that is, decide not to be baptized), or b) leave the Amish church after joining. I call it "leaving" in either case (and explain that at the beginning), even though the consequences are different. Not everyone who is
- [Why are they called "Amish" and "Mennonite"?](https://amishamerica.com/where-do-the-names-amish-and-mennonite-come-from/): In this video (video & full transcript below) I give the origins of the Anabaptist movement in brief, and describe how the Amish emerged from that movement at the end of the 17th century. I also explain who Jakob Ammann and Menno Simons were. Contrary to what some might suppose, the two never crossed paths,
- [Amishman Explains: Amish Auctions](https://amishamerica.com/my-friend-ben-explains-amish-auctions/):  I had a blast doing this Q & A with my friend Ben Riehl while in Lancaster County last month. We recorded this while driving to a local horse auction. Ben explains the appeal of Amish auctions and answers some of my questions. He also shares a funny anecdote and we have some laughs.
- [Amishman Explains: How I Choose A Horse](https://amishamerica.com/ben-explains-how-i-choose-a-horse/):  This is a little conversation I recorded with my friend, Ben, who belongs to an Amish church in Lancaster County. It's the second part of the Q&A I did with my friend Ben in Lancaster County in June (here's the first part, on Amish & auctions). In this recording, we're in the car on
- [Amish Dating: Are Marriages Arranged?](https://amishamerica.com/are-amish-marriages-arranged/):  A viewer recently asked if Amish marriages are arranged on the Amish America YouTube channel. And the answer to that is a definitive "no". Odds are you already knew the answer to this one. But I can kind of see where the question might come from - when looking at this religious society, which
- [3 Reasons Why The Amish DON'T Want You To Join Them](https://amishamerica.com/3-reasons-why-amish-dont-want-you-to-join-them/):  In the above video I explain why Amish don't want - or maybe the better word is "need" - outsiders to join them. In a nutshell, the Amish do not typically seek converts, and there are a few reasons why. 1. The Amish don't need converts One very practical reason that they Amish don't
- [Can you be friends with the Amish?](https://amishamerica.com/amish-friendships-separation-from-the-world-video/): You may have heard the Amish described as a "separate people" or "in the world, but not of it". These kinds of descriptions can make the Amish sound like they are simply apart from everyone else - isolated somehow from the rest of us. I think this is one thing that leads to the picture
- [5 Facts On The Amish & Hunting](https://amishamerica.com/5-facts-about-amish-hunting/): On the whole, the Amish are avid hunters. In Nature & The Environment in Amish Life, one Amishman puts plainly how much hunting mattered in his community: "When I was growing up, if you didn't hunt, it was almost as if you didn't belong." (p. 148). Why does hunting appeal to the Amish? For one,
- [Five Amish Money-Saving Tips (Food & More)](https://amishamerica.com/five-money-saving-tips-from-the-amish/):  With inflation and the cost of things like food having gone up a ton in the past year or two, I decided to put together a few money-saving tips practiced by the Amish. Three of these have to do with saving on food bills, and two of them are for general money-saving (tips &
- [3 Reasons Why Amish Food ISN'T Organic](https://amishamerica.com/three-reasons-why-amish-food-isnt-organic/):  As we enter the prime season for fresh produce, I thought this might be a good topic to address. I suspect most in the public would assume that Amish-grown food (and dairy) is organic, although that's not really the case. There are certainly organic farmers among the Amish. And organic farming has grown in
- [Do Amish men dominate their wives?](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-men-control-their-wives/): Do Amish women have freedom in their marriages? Are they dominated by their husbands? What does "head of household" mean? Read on for some of my own observations on these questions - or check out the video above. Head of household Do Amish husbands control their wives? This is a bit of a sensitive question,
- [Do Amish Homes Have Curtains & Shutters?](https://amishamerica.com/amish-homes-curtains-shutters/):  One misconception that I see often enough is the idea that Amish homes don't have curtains covering their windows. There is an idea out there that curtains signify vanity and thus Amish don't have them. I can see the kernel of truth this may have emerged from (Amish tend to shy away from things
- [The Amish & Cars (6 Surprising Facts)](https://amishamerica.com/6-surprising-facts-on-the-amish-cars/):  Here's a look at six surprising facts about the Amish and cars. Contrary to some belief, the Amish do make use of cars - just not as drivers. They are often passengers in cars, may hire non-Amish to drive them, and in some cases even own their own vehicles (e.g., for work purposes). This
- [3 Ways Amish Families Cook & Bake](https://amishamerica.com/how-amish-cook-bake/):  As a low-tech group, how do the Amish cook and bake? Below I share several ways Amish prepare food (specifically, how they generate the heat for cooking & baking - if you're looking for things like Amish recipes and food prep techniques, this is not that topic :) ). As with many things, there can
- [3 Ways Amish Keep Food Cold](https://amishamerica.com/3-ways-amish-keep-food-cold/):  The Amish have several ways of keeping their food cool. They include harnessing the elements - as well as technology. This will depend, of course, on the Amish group - and what's allowed in a given church. Here's a look at three main ways Amish keep food cold - with some additional methods at
- [Five Amish Desserts Not To Miss (...And 2 To SKIP)](https://amishamerica.com/five-favorite-amish-desserts/): I run through my five favorite Amish sweet treats in this post. I am calling them "desserts" in the post title, but I guess one or two of them might not be technically desserts, though it's arguable :) I also share two that I'm not so fond of.  What are your favorite Amish desserts,
- [What if you're Amish - and Single?](https://amishamerica.com/unmarried-amish-video/): In a culture that emphasizes marriage, how do single Amish people fit into the community?  For the Amish, marriage is the ideal for most people in the community. Most young Amish people expect to get married, or want to get married, and have a family. Being married with a family in a sense reflects
- [A Visit To Plain Mennonites (Pennsylvania)](https://amishamerica.com/visiting-plain-mennonites/):  In this video I show you more of my visit to the horse-and-buggy Mennonite community in Buffalo Valley (Union County, PA). You've already seen the posts on the Mennonite bakery and market - they appear here too as well. Additional things you'll see in this video are a visit with to an old cemetery
- [Amish Children Sing For Thanksgiving (Video)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-thanksgiving-song/): On a day we give thanks, here is a Thanksgiving song from an Amish school. This was filmed by Phil Sarlo in 2019, part of a program in a school in the Holmes County, Ohio community. The song is called "And Father We Thank You", and it was written by a local Amish man. Phil
- [A Thanksgiving Visit to The Amish of Clark, Missouri (22 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/a-thanksgiving-visit-to-the-amish-of-clark-missouri/): What happens in an Amish community at Thanksgiving? Today Don Burke takes us through the Amish community at Clark, Missouri to give us an outside visitor's perspective. These photos were actually taken over Thanksgiving in 2014 (see Don's full sets here and here). I hope everyone has had a great Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving Day from a
- [The 3 Best Things I've Bought From An Amish Business](https://amishamerica.com/whats-the-best-thing-youve-bought-from-an-amish-business-or-auction/): I've picked up a lot of interesting, and often delicious, items while visiting Amish businesses around the country. Here are my top 3 buys: 1. Hickory rocker Technically, this was more "barter" than "buy". It was 2005, and I was selling books in the sprawling Holmes County, Ohio Amish community. I had stopped in one
- [Ohio's "Nebraska" Amish (Andover, OH)](https://amishamerica.com/ohios-nebraska/): Many people have seen photos of the fairly well-known 'white-top buggy' Amish. This group is based mainly in Pennsylvania's diverse Big Valley region. They are most commonly known as the Nebraska Amish, named after a Nebraska-based bishop who helped the group get started in the late 1800s. Traditionally considered one of the most conservative Amish
- [Amish Fry Pies: A Closer Look](https://amishamerica.com/amish-fry-pies/): On the Amish Workshops post, Ann Whitaker brought up a favorite Amish treat: Traveling to Randolph tomorrow! Will be eating a good “fry” pie in your honor! This caused me to reflect on one of my favorite Amish desserts: You know fry pies will never go out of style. I wonder if Keith and Laura
- [Canada Amish Community Faces $300,000 In COVID Fines](https://amishamerica.com/canada-amish-community-faces-300000-in-covid-fines/): No, you're not reading an old post from 2020 or 2021. I'm surprised to be sharing another COVID-related story with you, as we're nearly into 2025. But this is a current story - and a big problem for Amish in one Ontario community. The root of the problem? The Amish in question didn't use an
- [Inside A Simple Amish Country Store (7 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-simple-amish-country-store-7-photos/): Jim Halverson gives us a look inside a plain and simple Amish country store in Gladwin County, Michigan. Gladwin County is home to a pair of Amish communities. Last autumn, we had a nice look at a Swartzentruber Amish barn-raising from this area. And we've also seen inside a Gladwin County Amish home, from a
- [When An Amish Church Divides](https://amishamerica.com/when-an-amish-church-divides/): How do the Amish create new churches? Jim Halverson sends along a snippet from Amish publication Die Blatt giving an Amish church "District Division" report from Indiana. Note: this would be "divide" in the neutral/positive sense (not a split where different factions of Amish go their different ways). We'll take a look at that report
- [Election Analysis: The Amish Did Not Make The Difference In PA](https://amishamerica.com/the-amish-did-not-deliver-pa-for-trump/): That's the clear message from Steven Nolt of Elizabethtown College. He has analyzed the numbers and shares why with us today. This comes in contrast to one recent headline ("It’s too early to know whether Amish voters ‘delivered’ Pennsylvania for Trump, researchers say"). Rather, Nolt says that "It IS too early to know how many
- [A Visit To An Amish Cheese Maker (29 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/visit-to-amish-cheese-maker-29-photos/): This one was fun. Here are some photos from my trip to Amish cheese maker Goot Essa last year. Together with my friend Ben Riehl, we made the 2.5-hour drive up from Lancaster County last December. I've been saving these photos for a post. To get there, we traveled through several central PA valleys which
- [Would You Live In An Amish Shed? This Couple Does](https://amishamerica.com/would-you-live-in-an-amish-shed-this-couple-does/): Trend Alert: People are buying Amish sheds and converting them into living spaces, studios, and stores. That's the report from the Bangor Daily News. They share the story of Jason and Jennifer Remillard, a Chicago couple who moved to Maine several years ago to "homestead". This fits in nicely with the tiny home movement that's
- [Runaway Buggy Hit By Truck: Driver Seriously Injured](https://amishamerica.com/runaway-buggy-hit-by-truck-driver-seriously-injured/): The buggy was empty at the time, thankfully (especially after recent stories of runaway buggies with Amish children inside). However the driver of the truck was seriously injured when it struck the buggy. From WNEM: CLARE CO., Mich. (WNEM) - A man was injured and a horse died in a crash involving a vehicle and
- [5 Favorite Amish Pastimes](https://amishamerica.com/5-favorite-amish-pastimes/): How do Amish people spend their free time? The Amish fill their leisure hours with a variety of activities, including: 1. Board games Tailor-made to winter days around the kitchen table. Scrabble, Settlers of Catan, Monopoly are among the favorites. 2. Hunting A male pastime. Occasionally females participate as well (more likely if you're sister
- [Two Deadly Buggy Crashes In One Day Claim Two Amish Children's Lives (UPDATED: NY Man Charged)](https://amishamerica.com/two-deadly-buggy-crashes-in-one-day/): Sunday was a bad day for Amish buggies on the road. Two Amish children - a teen and a younger one - were killed in separate accidents, in Virginia, and New York. Another Bad Crash in Farmville, VA To start with Virginia, I'm not quite sure what is wrong with the drivers in the Farmville
- [2024 Election: Will The "Amish Vote" Actually Matter This Time? (2 Factors That Could Make A Difference)](https://amishamerica.com/2024-election-will-the-amish-vote-actually-matter-this-time/): With the election nearly upon us, we have gotten our fair share of the expected "Will the Amish vote?" articles. I've been seeing this coverage for months now. I have contributed to some of it as well (for some reason, mostly for French-language publications). Among the latest is this piece from Deseret News, which suggests two
- [11-Year-Old Amish Boy Killed While Chipmunk Hunting](https://amishamerica.com/11-year-old-amish-boy-killed-while-chipmunk-hunting/): A sad story out of northwest PA. An 11-year-old Amish boy was lethally shot on Saturday while hunting for chipmunks. From the Erie Times-News: MEADVILLE — Three young members of a Crawford County Amish community were hunting chipmunks over the weekend when a shot fired from a .22-caliber rifle struck an 11-year-old boy in the
- [The Amish Puppy Mill Controversy](https://amishamerica.com/the_amish_puppy/): You may have heard that the Amish have been accused of treating puppies poorly in what have been termed "puppy mills". Amish businesses have thrived in recent years - though there has been some clashing with non-Amish society along the way. "Puppy mills", Amish construction firms, and woodworking shops have all rubbed people the wrong
- [Mother Killed - While 1-Year-Old Survives NY Amish Buggy Crash](https://amishamerica.com/mother-killed-while-1-year-old-survives-ny-amish-buggy-crash/): The one-year-old baby was thrown from the buggy along with her mother. The baby survived with minor injuries...while her mother lost her life. From the New York State Police: On October 28, 2024, at about 4:15 p.m., State Police in Herkimer responded to Butler Road in the town of Newport for a crash involving a
- [Why do the Amish call us "English"? (And other things...)](https://amishamerica.com/why-do-amish-call-us-english/): Have you ever noticed how the Amish call non-Amish people "English"? Don't worry, they're not mistaking you for someone from Great Britain. There's another explanation. There are also at least a couple more terms that the Amish use for "us" (eg, non-Amish). Let's look at three of those here. 1. "English" The practice of Amish
- [The Nebraska Amish](https://amishamerica.com/nebraska_amish/): The Nebraska Amish find themselves on the ultraconservative edge of Amish society. "Nebraska" is something of a misnomer, however. This group is found mainly in Mifflin County, Pennsylvani, in the diverse Big Valley region. A second, smaller group is found in northeastern Ohio. The Nebraska tag comes from the origin of the group's founding bishop,
- [The Two Lancaster Counties](https://amishamerica.com/the-two-lancast/): An imaginary line runs through Lancaster County. Some say it follows the route of highway 30, the old Philly artery which bisects the county. This theoretical divider splits the settlement's Amish into conservative and more progressive groupings. The north-south division may not be that cut-and-dry, but it is a real thing. Some say a stricter
- [How Do The Amish Celebrate Easter? (4 Examples)](https://amishamerica.com/how-do-the-amish-celebrate-easter/): As in other Christian churches, Easter is an important holiday for the Amish. What do the Amish do during the Easter season? First it's worth mentioning that not all Amish observe holidays in the same way. Local and family customs can vary. And when it comes to more obscure holidays, in some communities they may be
- [Inside A Picture-Perfect Minnesota Amish Home (19 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-picture-perfect-minnesota-amish-home-19-photos/): I'm calling this Minnesota Amish home "picture-perfect" because the photographer did a great job, but also because the place is very neat and well-kept. Often the Swartzentruber Amish homes are not that way. Yards are untidy and the homes themselves have a very rough and unfinished appearance. But this place, inside and out, gives the
- [Over 200 Calves Lost In Amish Barn Fire](https://amishamerica.com/over-200-calves-lost-amish-barn-fire/): Over 200 calves died following an explosion and fire which ravaged an Amish farmer's barn yesterday. From WNDU: ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. (WNDU) - An Amish calf barn caught on fire this afternoon, killing the majority of the family’s calves. The call came in around 4:30 p.m. Crews responded to the 59000 block of State Road
- ["Mass Casualty Incident": 11 Amish (Including One-Year-Old) Hospitalized After Eating Toxic Mushrooms](https://amishamerica.com/11-amish-hospitalized-eating-poison-mushrooms/): It's wild mushroom season and one Amish family learned the hard way that eating the wrong mushroom can have consequences. This happened last week in Peach Bottom Township in York County, PA. From CBS 21 News: YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — Eleven people, including children, were hospitalized Friday night after eating wild mushrooms in Peach Bottom
- [The Essential Amish Cookbook: Lovina Eicher Answers Your Questions (& Shares 3 Recipes)](https://amishamerica.com/lovina-eicher-answers-your-questions-essential-amish-cookbook-giveaway/): Lovina Eicher is an Amish mother of eight and author of the Lovina's Amish Kitchen column (and formerly the Amish Cook column). She answers your questions in today's post. Lovina is the author of The Essential Amish Cookbook and the Lovina's Amish Kitchen column. To enter to win a copy of The Essential Amish Cookbook,
- [Amish Player Attacks Referee At Hockey Game](https://amishamerica.com/taxes_puppy_mil/): Taxes, puppy mills, cream-cheese muffins - I just looked down the list of posts for the last couple weeks and realized that the Amish have been the subject of a good bit of controversy recently. Most of it fairly tame. But this one made me do a double-take. Apparently tempers got hot at the championship
- [Do Amish People Celebrate Valentine's Day?](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-celebrate-valentines-day/): An Amish Man on Valentine's Day In anticipation of February 14th, I passed this question along to John Stoltzfus, an Amish husband and father of five living in a Pennsylvania community: Do Amish people do anything for Valentine's Day? How do they observe the day? John's response hints at differing attitudes about Valentine's Day. The
- [Ira Wagler on Broken Roads: Returning To My Amish Father](https://amishamerica.com/ira-wagler-broken-roads-returning-to-my-amish-father/): Ira Wagler's best-selling 2011 memoir Growing Up Amish told the story of his life as a young man, and his eventual decision to leave the Amish behind. Broken Roads: Returning To My Amish Father is his just-released follow-up. It covers subsequent events in his life, and in particular, his relationship with his father, David L.
- [Sam Mullet Sentence Reduced to 10 Years, 9 Months](https://amishamerica.com/mullet-sentence-reduced-to-10-years-9-months/): Sam Mullet along with the seven remaining imprisoned members of the Bergholz community have just received shorter sentences for their roles in the 2011 beard-cutting attacks. From the report (no longer online): Mullet's 15-year sentence was reduced to 10 years, nine months. Sentences for four men who received seven years were cut to five years. Sentences for
- [An Unusual Amish Community Phone (Before & After Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/unusual-amish-community-phone-before-after-photos/): A reader in central Minnesota shares some photos of an Amish community phone. In many Amish settlements, families share a common phone. So that aspect is not uncommon. But there's one thing about this phone setup that I've never seen before. But before we take a look, it's worth mentioning that Amish use the telephone
- [Why do Amish wear beards (but no moustache)?](https://amishamerica.com/its_just_easier/): Amish men wear beards, but no mustache. Why? An Amish friend shared his answer that question (see that below). But first, Stephen Scott gives possible reasons in Why Do They Dress That Way? "Evil-looking" European soldiers used to wear curly mustaches. Amish shaved theirs to set themselves apart. The mustache has been considered unclean. An
- [Authors Charles Hurst and David McConnell on An Amish Paradox](https://amishamerica.com/an-interview-with-an-amish-paradox-authors-charles-hurst-and-david-mcconnell-and-a-chance-to-win-the-book/): I recently read a book I'd been looking forward to for a long time. An Amish Paradox: Diversity and Change in the World's Largest Amish Community is an in-depth look at the Amish settlement at Holmes County, Ohio, and one of the most interesting books on the Amish I have read. In Ohio last month
- [The 1965 Iowa Amish School Incident](https://amishamerica.com/the-1965-iowa-amish-school-incident-video/): The photo you see below, of Iowa Amish schoolchildren fleeing into a cornfield, was taken in 1965 by Des Moines Register photographer Thomas DeFeo and republished nationwide. It's credited with spurring national support for the Amish, leading to the landmark Wisconsin v. Yoder 1972 Supreme Court decision (effectively allowing Amish to limit schooling to eight grades). The accompanying video features a number
- [Trial Of Amish Mother's Accused Killer Moved (Again) - Until At Least March 2025](https://amishamerica.com/trial-amish-mothers-accused-killer-moved-again-march-2025/): This is the second time the trial of Shawn C. Cranston, accused of killing 23-year-old pregnant Amish mother Rebekah Byler, has been moved. Cranston was originally meant to be tried in June, but the defense team got a continuance due to having to process "large amounts" of evidence. Cranston had a preliminary hearing in March,
- [Inside A "Life-in-Progress" Amish Home (12 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-a-life-in-progress-amish-home-12-photos/): Some Amish homes we see are spick-and-span clean, staged to look beautiful for their photo shoots. In others, Amish family life is captured in all its messy glory. This home belongs to group #2. Here's the description of this Wisconsin Amish home: Amish farmette. Trophy white tail and turkey hunting with Grant River across the
- [Orange County, Indiana Amish (11 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/orange-county-i/): Cindy Seigle (you can find Cindy on Flickr) has shared some interesting photos of a conservative Amish settlement in southern Indiana. In An Amish Patchwork, Meyers and Nolt explain that Orange County is home to two distinct Amish communities. The newer of the two groups is comprised of ultraconservative Swartzentruber-affiliated Amish from New York and Ohio
- [Swartzentruber Amish Homes in Holmes County, Ohio](https://amishamerica.com/swartzentruber_/): The homes of the Swartzentruber Amish and similar groups tend to be among the plainest. Metal roofs and dirt lanes are characteristic. Usually Swartzentruber yards are a bit scrabbly-looking compared to the typical meticulously-cared-for Old Order front lawn. This may reflect a difference in concern for the material world. While many Old Order Amish will
- [Osiah Horst on Old Order Mennonites](https://amishamerica.com/osiah-horst-old-order-mennonites/): Osiah Horst grew up in an Old Order Mennonite family in Canada. Osiah's father Isaac wrote a column for a local newspaper which eventually grew into the book A Separate People: An Insider's View of Old Order Mennonite Customs and Traditions, a witty and incisive look at Old Order Mennonite society. Isaac penned 2 dozen
- [A Visit With Marlene: Autumn, Amish Art, & More](https://amishamerica.com/marlene-lehman-autumn-amish-art-more/): Marlene Lehman and I sat down this week (virtually, that is) for a talk about a wide range of topics. Here is the first part of it. In this 22-minute vid, we discuss Amish artists, signs of autumn in her Shipshewana-area Amish community, fall craft shows & festivals, "male" and "female" jobs on the farm,
- [Local Man Tries To Stop "Accident Waiting To Happen" At Amish School](https://amishamerica.com/local-man-trying-to-stop-accident-waiting-to-happen-at-amish-school/): A non-Amish man sees a tragedy waiting to unfold in his Wisconsin community - and is trying to prevent it. As reported at WKOW, Jim Kostohrys says this "blind curve" & hill - right before drivers reach an Amish school - are a potentially deadly combo. Have a look. Just past it, dozens of Amish
- [Amish-Made Maple Syrup](https://amishamerica.com/amish-made-maple-syrup/): It's not exactly the season for making maple syrup, but it's always the season for eating it, right? David Arment shares photos of syrup being made, along with the finished product, a remarkably dark syrup which I'm sorry I can't sample over the internet somehow. David explains: We lived on 15 acres of wooded ground.
- [The 3 Biggest Mistakes We Make About The Amish](https://amishamerica.com/the-3-biggest-mistakes-people-make-when-talking-about-the-amish/): Running this website for over fifteen years, I've had the privilege to not only learn about the Amish - but also observe how the rest of us talk about them.  The Amish certainly generate a lot of discussion across the web and elsewhere. But since they are not the most accessible group, sometimes -
- [Six Examples of Amish Church Rules](https://amishamerica.com/6-examples-amish-ordnung-rules/): The Amish are well-known for living by specific rules on technology, dress, and other aspects of daily life. But Amish churches are not all the same. Some are more traditional, and others more progressive. Some do things one way, and others do things another way. So how do Amish people know all the dos and
- [Rose Fisher: Amish Identity & The Pensylvania Dutch Language](https://amishamerica.com/amish-identity-pensylvania-dutch-language/): JPAC Highlights Amish Attitudes and Identity in Relation to Pennsylvania Dutch, by Rose Fisher, Journal of Plain Anabaptist Communities, volume 4, issue 1, 2023 Rose Fisher is a Ph.D. candidate in German Linguistics and Language Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University. Her dissertation is about the use of Pennsylvania Dutch (PD) by current members of
- [Inside A Cheery (Nearly Empty) Amish Home (18 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-cheery-nearly-empty-amish-home-18-photos/): I usually post home photos that show a lived-in space. But sometimes it's interesting to see what an emptied-out Amish home looks like (like this Mississippi Amish home from earlier this year). That's what we have again here today with these photos from the atypical Amish community at Enon Valley, PA. According to the description,
- [Amish population statistics](https://amishamerica.com/amish-population-statistics/): Just got a hot tip from the Young Center that the 2009 Amish population statistics are up at the Amish Studies web site. A couple quick things I noticed between this year's and last year's numbers: on the lower end, Arkansas has jumped from 1 to 3 settlements, and the Maine Amish, Montana Amish, and
- [Bridging an Arkansas Amish community](https://amishamerica.com/bridging-arkansas-amish-community/): Here's a neat story I missed during Christmas, worth taking a look back at. A couple reasons why--one, it's about an Arkansas Amish community--and you don't hear too much about Amish in Arkansas, owing to the small size and remoteness of the Natural State Amish population. Two, it ties in with an issue we discussed
- [The Amish of Salem, Arkansas](https://amishamerica.com/amish-salem-arkansas/): Don Burke has been on a tour of Amish settlements in the South and Midwest. These are his photos and account of the small community at Salem, Arkansas (Fulton County), one of only two Amish settlements in the Natural State. You can view more photos at Don's Arkansas Amish Flickr album. --- Nestled in the Ozarks of north-central
- ["Leave & You're Doomed" (Do Amish Parents Really Teach This?)](https://amishamerica.com/leave-and-go-to-hell-do-amish-parents-teach-this/): In our last conversation, Ben Riehl and I did a follow-up on the "Do Amish think they're the only true Christians?" topic. Specifically, you may have heard some people who have left the Amish, describe being taught that they will be doomed to hell - if they leave the Amish. I wanted to get Ben's thoughts
- [The Amish of Cass City, Michigan (14 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-of-cass-city-michigan-14-photos/): Jim Halverson is back today with a great set of photos from a more "off-the-beaten-path" Amish community - this one at Cass City, Michigan - one of the state's 50+ Amish locations. Despite what it might sound like, Cass City is actually a village of about 2,500 people, and Amish live in the surrounding areas
- [Ohio's Amish Country: Ground Zero for E-Bikes](https://amishamerica.com/ohios-amish-country-ground-zero-for-e-bikes/): The story of the Amish using e-bikes is not a new one. Particularly in Holmes County, Ohio (but also in other progressive settlements), the zippy transporters have been on the rise for years now. I remember seeing them used by Amish there for the first time in 2018 (though they'd been around a while already).
- [Video Released: Hero Trooper Saves Amish Girl in Runaway Buggy](https://amishamerica.com/hero-trooper-saves-amish-girl-in-runaway-buggy/): Remember the story of a New York State trooper who saved an Amish girl in a runaway buggy? Last month, the NY State Police also released video of the incident, which I filed away, and, frankly, forgot to share with you :) So I've got that for you today. To recall what happened, as reported
- [Inside A Lancaster County "Modern Amish" Brick Home (25 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-lancaster-county-modern-amish-brick-home/): This Lancaster County Amish community home is going up for auction in about two weeks. It's also listed in Zillow with a full array of beautiful photos, so let's have a look. On the outside at least, this is a more traditional-looking home than the previous Lancaster County Amish home we looked at here. It's
- [Amish Infant Thrown From Buggy; Alcohol Likely A Factor In Crash](https://amishamerica.com/amish-infant-thrown-from-buggy-alcohol-likely-factor-in-crash/): The 10-month old wasn't the only one thrown from the buggy. Also ejected were a 2-year-old and a 24-year-old Amish person. You might assume this was a family, and the 24-year-old was the mother. There aren't a lot of details but the 30-year-old buggy driver - I'm assuming the father - had to be flown
- [2024: Amish Population Passes 400,000 (Five Interesting Facts)](https://amishamerica.com/2024-amish-population-passes-four-hundred-thousand/): The latest Amish population estimates are up at the Young Center's Amish Studies website. There are several interesting bits here, starting with the total estimated population of the Amish (United States + Canada + Bolivia) reaching 401,005 people. The total number of Amish settlements is up to 675. Here are five more interesting facts in
- [NC Amish Family Humbly Accepts Public Help After Accident](https://amishamerica.com/nc-amish-family-humbly-accepts-public-help-after-accident/): I can't highlight every Amish buggy accident, because sadly there are just too many of them. But I wanted to draw attention to this story for a pair of reasons. One is that it's my home state of North Carolina. You don't hear about buggy accidents so much in NC, simply because the Amish population
- [Inside A "Super Basic" Amish Home (18 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-super-basic-amish-home/): I've got a very simple and what I'm calling "super basic" Amish home to share with you this week. You'll see why I gave it that nickname in a minute. The location is one of Tennessee's 14+ Amish settlements, in the area of Stantonville (McNairy County). This is a Swartzentruber Amish community and it has
- [Amish Forgive Harassment By High School Football Players](https://amishamerica.com/amish-forgive-harassment-by-high-school-football-players/): This story appeared several days ago with scant details attached. Now more has come out and (a bit to my surprise) it's starting to get national attention. Besides getting a lot of local coverage, Newsweek has now picked it up. Amish in the neighborhood of LaValle, Wisconsin (Sauk County) had been getting harassed in their
- ["Amish Man" Driving A Tesla Cybertruck? Not So Fast...](https://amishamerica.com/amish-man-driving-a-tesla-cybertruck-not-exactly/): Are the Amish driving Teslas now? If you glanced at recent headlines, you might come away with that idea. Ben Zook runs Belmont Solar, located in Lancaster County. According to the story at teslarati.com, they install solar panels in 90 local homes, mostly Amish, each year (I've heard of this company before, but never had
- [Rosanna King, Who Survived 2006 Amish School Shooting, Has Died](https://amishamerica.com/rosanna-king-who-survived-2006-amish-school-shooting-has-died/): Rosanna was wounded in the school shooting as a first grader - just 6 years old at the time. Many felt her survival was a miracle. From Lancaster Online: An Amish woman who was wounded as a child in the 2006 mass shooting at West Nickel Mines School in Bart Township died Tuesday, according to sources familiar with the circumstances of
- [Inside A "Hard To Find" Iowa Amish Home (14 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-hard-to-find-amish-home/): Here we have a quite traditional Amish home in the settlement at Lamoni, Iowa (Decatur County). It's one of Iowa's two-dozen-plus Amish communities. This community was started in 1997, and has three church districts. Lamoni has been mentioned here before, most recently in Joe Donnermeyer's look at 'The 14 “Two-State” Amish Settlements'. As Joe reported
- [Trooper Injured Saving Amish Child In Runaway Buggy Hailed As Hero (Updated w/Video)](https://amishamerica.com/ny-state-trooper-injured-saving-amish-child-runaway-buggy-hero/): A New York State Police K-9 Handler is being hailed as a hero after he saved a four-year-old Amish girl in a runaway buggy. This actually happened back in May, but there was little-to-no coverage of it - at least none that came across my radar. Now, the trooper is in the news after being
- [Do the Amish really live in Georgia? (Yes & No)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-georgia/): Georgia is one state which people often wonder about, when it comes to the Amish. Are there Amish in Georgia?
- [Do Amish people eat fast food?](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-eat-at-mcdonalds/): The short answer: yes, Amish people do eat fast food. McDonald's, Burger King, Pizza Hut, and Wendy's too (and not just those). McDonald's Here are a couple of visual Amish fast food examples from Amish communities. First, this sign showing buggy parking at a McDonald's in Sugarcreek, Ohio, a heavily-Amish area: I took that photo
- [Amish in the Jungle?](https://amishamerica.com/amish_in_the_ju/): A link (no longer online) to some nice photos of Anabaptist-related peoples in South America, by Jordi Busque. Jordi says that the family in An Amish family in the jungle moved to Bolivia from Tennessee in the mid-1990's. Apparently they identify themselves as Amish. Jordi adds that there is another family like them, about an
- [Who are the Old Colony Mennonites? (11 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/old-colony-menn/): The Old Colony Mennonites are Anabaptist cousins of the Amish. Today their population numbers in the hundreds of thousands. But most of them live outside the United States. So compared to the Amish, they are much less well-known in this country. The bulk of Old Colony Mennonites live in Latin America, in countries including Bolivia, Mexico,
- [Saloma Miller Furlong on Why I Left the Amish](https://amishamerica.com/saloma-furlong-why-i-left-the-amish/): Saloma Miller Furlong was raised Amish in Ohio. Why I Left the Amish is the story of her childhood and adolescence, and eventual departure from Amish society. I enjoyed meeting Saloma for the first time this summer while in PA, and have always appreciated her comments here on the blog. I just recently had a
- [Sexual Abuse in Amish Communities](https://amishamerica.com/sexual-abuse-amish-communities/): Over the years, a number of cases have come to light of Amish who have committed sexual abuse. Many have in turn wondered how prevalent sexual abuse is among the Amish - and why it seems to keep recurring. Certain questions come to mind: Why does sexual abuse happen in some Amish homes and communities?
- [What if you're Amish...and gay?](https://amishamerica.com/amish-and-homosexual/): Can you be Amish, and also a gay person? A reader writes: I am sure there must be some Amish kids that are gay. I wonder how their parents and church handle this, as well as how the gay kids deal with it. Any idea where I might find this info? The short answer is
- [Do the Amish practice inbreeding?](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-practice-inbreeding/): Today's question springs from a new study on a genetic mutation which causes a form of mental retardation among some Amish people. Like other genetic research involving the Amish, this study will probably help them health-wise. It's really the language used to describe it which may not be quite so helpful. The meaning of "inbreeding" In
- [Braiding Girls' Hair in a Swartzentruber Amish Home](https://amishamerica.com/braiding-girls-hair-in-a-swartzentruber-amish-home/): I'm happy to welcome Karen Johnson-Weiner as a new contributor here at Amish America. Karen is Professor of Anthropology at SUNY-Potsdam, and has studied the Old Order Amish for over 30 years. Karen's books include New York Amish: Life in the Plain Communities of the Empire State, Train Up a Child: Old Order Amish and Mennonite Schools,
- [15 "Insane" Amish Rules?](https://amishamerica.com/15-insane-rules-all-amish-children-must-follow/): On the heels of the "20 Unique Ways Amish Raise Their Kids" article, another click-magnet piece popped up on my news feed this morning. This one is called "15 Insane Rules All Amish Kids Must Follow" (source article removed at thetalko.com). "Amish People Rules" I believe the idea of "Amish rules" is appealing to people
- [Bathrooms in Amish Homes (And the alternative...)](https://amishamerica.com/bathrooms-in-amish-homes/): So, simple question here. Do the Amish have bathrooms in their homes? After all, this is one room of the home that most people would consider indispensable. The answer is: it depends. Some Amish groups do, and some groups don't. All in all, the majority of Amish do have bathrooms. However, there's still a significant
- [Do Amish people ever remarry?](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-remarry/): Mona asks: How do the older people date/marry after a spouse dies? Or even the younger spouses who may lose a spouse to an accident, etc.? Divorce is taboo in the Amish church, but Amish people do fairly often remarry after a spouse dies. If you look through an Amish publication like The Diary for instance,
- [A First Visit To Amish Ohio (24 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/a-first-visit-to-amish-ohio-24-photos/): If you've read this site for some time, you'll know Don Burke has been a long-time contributor here, sharing his visits and top-notch photos from Amish communities around the country. For a few examples, see Don's trips to Ethridge, Tennessee, inside a Missouri Amish home, or at an "Amish-ish" wedding. Today Don tells us the
- [Are these Amish women wearing rings?](https://amishamerica.com/are-these-amish-women-wearing-rings/): So a couple of interesting photos from Jim Halverson today, where you can see what looks like Amish women wearing rings. This first is from a recent auction in Clare, Michigan: And here's another, also from an event at Clare (2020) - the woman in purple: Now, when looking closer, I must admit it occurred
- [5 Surprising Facts About The Amish & Food](https://amishamerica.com/5-surprising-facts-amish-food/): How many eggs do Amish eat? How much do they can? How often do Amish order pizza or other food to the home? I'm currently reading the new book Nature & The Environment in Amish Life. Authors David McConnell and Marilyn Loveless include a survey revealing interesting - even surprising - points about the Amish
- [Do Amish people ride horseback?](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-ride-horseback/): You might think that Amish people would ride horseback often. After all, they certainly have much familiarity and experience with horses. Horses pull Amish carriages, and provide brute force on the farm, powering a range of farming equipment. Yet Amish rarely saddle up. Simply put, Amish riding horseback is not common. I see it from
- [Four "Amish Health Habits" (Mental & Physical)](https://amishamerica.com/4-amish-health-habits/): A fitness coach with connections to the Amish has put together a list of four things the Amish do - which she says make for a healthier life. Now, sometimes "learn from the Amish" media pieces idealize the Amish - and gloss over nuance. But at the least, I think each of these ideas has
- [Five Natural Remedies Used By The Amish](https://amishamerica.com/5-natural-remedies-used-by-amish/): What kinds of natural remedies do Amish use? The book Plain & Happy Living: Amish Recipes & Remedies by Emma "Jonas Em" Byler covers many of them. It includes chapters like "General Tonics", "The Herbal Medicine Chest", and "Poultices, Plasters and Salves". The more recent book Nature & The Environment in Amish Life also contains
- [Sam Mullet's 11-Year Sentence Reaffirmed](https://amishamerica.com/sam-mullets-11-year-sentence-reaffirmed/): Sam Mullet, leader of the Bergholz, Ohio group infamous for hair and beard-cutting attacks on Amish, made news again recently when he asked for early release due to alleged mistakes made by his attorney. Mullet lost his attempt for release Wednesday: An attorney for 72-year-old Samuel Mullet Sr. argues that Mullet’s previous lawyer made mistakes.
- ["Pennsylvania Dutch" versus "Amish"](https://amishamerica.com/pennsylvania-du/): In places like the heavily-touristed areas of Lancaster County you see "Pennsylvania Dutch" (or just "Dutch" for short), or "Amish" attached to just about anything with something to sell. To take a few examples: "Jakey's Amish BBQ", "Amish Paradise Homestays", "Dutch Delights", etc. This naturally makes visitors assume that the Amish must have something to
- ["Extinct" Amish Communities: 7 Interesting Facts](https://amishamerica.com/extinct-amish-communities/): By the end of 2024, the number of Amish communities, known as settlements, will likely exceed 700. As recently as 1999, that number was slightly less than 300. The phenomenal growth of Amish settlements is nearly as rapid as the growth of its population. Although settlement growth is remarkable, there is the other side of
- [Nine-Year-Old Amish Girl Loses Life In "Horse Training Accident"](https://amishamerica.com/nine-year-old-amish-girl-loses-life-in-horse-training-accident/): Report of a tragic loss in Lancaster County. Warning, this one is hard to read about. From Fox 56: LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — A 9-year-old Amish girl has died after an accident that led to multiple serious injuries on Tuesday. The unnamed child, who lived in Kinzers, was caught in the reins of of
- [Marlene Shares 6 Homemade Crafts (Including "Seed Bombs")](https://amishamerica.com/amish-woman-shares-homemade-crafts/): In our latest video, Marlene Lehman of Plain & Simple shares a collection of homemade crafts. And, she explains how two of them are made. The first one, "seed bombs", I had never heard of before. But what a neat, simple idea. I like the idea of sending these organic gifts in letters. I also
- [18-Month-Old Amish Girl Drowns In Ohio Pond](https://amishamerica.com/18-month-old-amish-girl-drowns-in-ohio-pond/): This sad news arrived several days ago. Via cleveland19.com: ROME TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WOIO) - An 18-month-old Amish girl drowned in a pond on her family’s Rome Township property, the Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Office confirmed. The girl’s mother found her in the Dodgeville Road pond after she went missing for about 15 minutes, ACSO said. ACSO
- [Inside A Southern Indiana Swiss Amish Home (22 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/southern-indiana-swiss-amish-home/): Here's a home from the Amish community in Vevay, down in southern Indiana on the Kentucky border. There are actually two Amish settlements in the vicinity of Vevay, but this is the Swiss Amish one. Swiss Amish can vary in how conservative they are, with some that are very plain, and some that don't appear
- [Ben: Why Don't Amish Fly (Or Use Bikes)? Plus: Amish in Florida](https://amishamerica.com/why-bicycles-planes-banned-by-amish/): In this video Ben answers two viewer/reader questions - on why Amish don't fly in planes, and on Amish in Florida. We also touch on why Amish in his community (Lancaster County) mostly use only scooters - but not bicycles. This puzzles people especially since Amish in Lancaster County generally are among the most progressive
- [Are These "True" Amish? Posing For A Group Photo...](https://amishamerica.com/are-these-true-amish/): Stories of Amish and Mennonite people doing outreach projects pop up often in the news. This one caught my eye for a couple of reasons. One is the place where they did the work. But the main reason has to do with how they commemorated the experience. Fixing up a "Deaf Camp" The Amish and
- [Six Amish (& Horse) Rescued After Buggy Swallowed By Flood](https://amishamerica.com/six-amish-rescued-buggy-swallowed-by-flood/): That's a scary-looking photo above. Luckily, all made it out okay - including the horse. The Conway, Missouri Volunteer Fire Department rescued a buggy full of Amish Sunday when their vehicle was engulfed by a flood. The Conway area is home to a small Amish settlement. Here is the report via ky3.com: According to the
- [Pennsylvania Amish Stores Targeted In Burglary Spree](https://amishamerica.com/pennsylvania-amish-stores-targeted-in-burglary-spree/): The past several weeks have seen a rash of burglaries targeting Amish stores, as well as non-Amish churches in western Pennsylvania. This is one in Mercer County, one of the "Amish supercounties", having a half-dozen separate settlements. The community is apparently the one at Jackson Center, a settlement of about 800 Amish people. The Sharon
- [Amish-Style "Barn-Raising" Brings Destroyed Lancaster County Hotel Back](https://amishamerica.com/amish-style-barn-raising-brings-destroyed-lancaster-county-hotel-back/): A landmark Lancaster County hotel destroyed in a gas explosion in December is making a comeback. Lancaster Online reports that the Bird-in-Hand Family Inn has "raised the roof" on its new building: Bird-in-Hand Family Inn began a “barn raising” Tuesday to rebuild hotel rooms and an office damaged in a Dec. 18 explosion. Weather permitting,
- [This Amish Buggy Is "Only" $15,000](https://amishamerica.com/another-amish-buggy-for-fifteen-thousand-dollars/): After our look at an Amish buggy which sold for $18,400 at an auction in Gratz, PA, Jerry is back with a second buggy from the same event - this one for "only" $15,000. What makes this one different, and almost 20% cheaper? Jerry explains: "The second buggy sold was a step down in components.
- [Marlene Lehman Shares Her Favorite Amish Dishes](https://amishamerica.com/marlene-lehman-shares-favorite-amish-dishes/): In our latest conversation, I spoke with Marlene Lehman about her favorite Amish-style dishes. She named several that I'd never heard of before, including: 1. Salad Dressing Cake Salad Dressing Cake uses Miracle Whip. And that's how it gets its odd name. I admit when I heard "salad dressing cake" I first thought of Ranch
- [The Amish and Happiness](https://amishamerica.com/no_choice/): People sometimes pity the Amish, thinking that since they do not have a chance to go to university, they must live miserable lives. Not to mention: no car, no internet, no makeup, no golf. But maybe it depends a bit on what you value. If you value things like unrestricted choice, education, wealth, and consumption
- [Amish Farmer Opens New York City Store](https://amishamerica.com/amish-farmer-opens-new-york-city-store/): I saw this reported a while back and meant to do a post on it, but it fell through the cracks. Then the New York Post picked up the story this past week and gave it legs. John Stoltzfoos is an Amish farmer from Lancaster County. He's been doing the 3-hour (one way) commute to
- [4 Reasons Why Amish People Stay Healthy in Old Age](https://amishamerica.com/4-reasons-why-amish-stay-healthy-in-old-age/): TIME Magazine has an article called "Amish People Stay Healthy in Old Age. Here's Their Secret." It starts with some interesting info I'd never seen before: The average American life expectancy is currently just under 79 years. Back in 1900, it was only 47, but for early–20th century Amish it was already greater than 70.
- [Do Amish Really Live in Australia?](https://amishamerica.com/amish-in-australia/): Do Amish live in Australia? One family is being described as such in a major profile in the Sydney Morning Herald. The McCallums live in the countryside of the Australian island of Tasmania. Gregory and Bethany, ages 41 and 42 respectively, have eight children, and live in a way that resembles the Amish - dressing
- [The Amish of Orange County, Indiana](https://amishamerica.com/more-orange-county-indiana-amish-photos/): As of 2024, there are two Amish communities in Orange County, Indiana - both a similar size (500+Amish people). Let's have a look at a few more of Cindy Seigle's Orange County, Indiana Amish photos with a few of my own comments attached. Again, we aren't 100% sure which of the two Orange County groups
- [Marketing the Amish](https://amishamerica.com/marketing-the-amish/): "Amish" sells. That fact is not lost on the numerous merchants of Amish-branded stuff. Software, refrigerators, and organic cotton bedsheets are among the products that non-Amish dealers have sold under the Amish moniker or by association with Amish images. A female Amish acquaintance in Ohio who runs a food-related business herself offered an example, complaining,
- [Shop Like The Amish At Shetler's Wholesale](https://amishamerica.com/shop-amish-shetlers-wholesale/): 2024 update: It appears that Shetler's is no longer maintaining an online presence. The business still exists though, and sells many of their products via a great annual catalog. Below you can find contact info for Shetler's in order to get a catalog. Well, not exactly like the Amish, if you're ordering online. But I
- [Amish Buggy Changes In One Community](https://amishamerica.com/kid-box-on-steroids/): You might recall our recent look at the kid box, a special compartment on the backs of some open-top Swiss Amish buggies. These allow children to ride protected from the weather. Torey has sent in some further photos of much larger (adult-sized) carriage compartments, taken in the two large Swiss Amish communities in Indiana. The
- [Visiting the Amish at Union Grove, NC (32 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-union-grove-north-carolina/): My first Amish trip of 2014 happened last week. I made a short visit to one of only two Amish communities in North Carolina, the Union Grove settlement. (Note: see update at end of post for the latest on NC Amish). The Union Grove community includes both Union Grove and Hamptonville addresses (Iredell and Yadkin
- [Biker Club Raises Money For Amish Following Tragic Crash](https://amishamerica.com/biker-club-raises-money-for-amish-following-tragic-crash/): A motorcycle club has done a charity ride to help the family of Amish from Burke's Garden, Virginia killed in an accident in March. Nine people were killed in the crash in Wisconsin, including seven members of the Burke's Garden Amish community, their van driver, and the driver of a semi truck. One boy survived the
- [A Tennessee Amish "Prepper's Paradise" Home (15 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-preppers-paradise-home/): Into "prepping"? This Tennessee home might be just your thing. It's being described as a "prepper's paradise" in the listing. And it make sense to pitch Amish homes, especially the plainer ones (read: no bathrooms), as having prepper appeal. The home has a Lawrenceburg address, though that city is in the general vicinity of the
- [Snitz Pie: The Amish Church Meal Treat](https://amishamerica.com/snitz-pie/): Note: I wrote this way back in 2007 while living for a summer in the Lancaster County Amish community. Snitz pie was a wonderful discovery I made towards the end of my time there. If you've never had it, I highly recommend trying it. It's mainly seen in the Lancaster County Amish (and related churches).
- [My First Visit To The Ethridge (TN) Amish](https://amishamerica.com/the-amish-of-ethridge-tennessee/): Update: I wrote the following after my first visit to the South's largest Amish community way back in 2010. I didn't know a lot about it, other than it was a very traditional community. I was pleasantly surprised by how friendly the Amish at Ethridge were. I hope you enjoy my impressions from the Ethridge
- [Ethridge, Tennessee Amish Map](https://amishamerica.com/ethridge-tennessee-amish-map/): The Ethridge, Tennessee Amish community is the largest in the South. It's a Swartzentruber Amish settlement founded in the 1940s. Today there are well over 2,000 Amish living here. Typical of Swartzentruber settlements, it is a farming community supplemented by a lot of small shops and home enterprises. Amish commerce extends off the farm with
- [Popular Philadelphia Amish Sandwich Stand Closing Due To New Mandate](https://amishamerica.com/philadelphia-amish-sandwich-stand-closing-due-to-new-mandate/): I was sad to learn yesterday that my friend Mose Smucker is shutting down his sandwich and meats business at Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia after 12 years. A new city vaccine mandate on food establishments (taking effect January 3rd) means The Grill @ Smucker's will shut down for good on New Year's Eve. Mose,
- [Rebekah Byler Murder Case Update: Trial Postponed To Late 2024](https://amishamerica.com/rebekah-byler-murder-case-update-trial-postponed-to-late-2024/): This is not earth-shattering new information in the Rebekah Byler murder case. But, this is the first news we've seen since the court document release in March, so I wanted to bring you this update.  Shawn C. Cranston of Corry, PA was originally slated to be tried next month (June) for the killing of
- [Visiting North Carolina's Swartzentruber Amish Community (31 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/north-carolina-swartzentruber-amish-community/): We caught a glimpse of North Carolina's Swartzentruber Amish settlement when someone interviewed a man from this community as he waited at an Alabama Amtrak station. I also previewed the community auction which was to take place in late November. Amish began moving to the area near Ellenboro, NC (Rutherford County) in 2015. Today this
- [The 5 Hardest Things About Living With The Amish](https://amishamerica.com/the-5-hardest-things-about-living-with-the-amish/): One of the great kindnesses I've received from Amish friends has been regular hospitality when I visit. I don't have to worry about a place to stay, which I know I can do in a number of homes. Usually it's a shorter time of around a week, though the longest I've lived with Amish friends is
- [The 5 Best Things About Living With The Amish](https://amishamerica.com/the-5-best-things-about-living-with-the-amish/): I've been fortunate to spend up to two months at a time living in Amish homes. In my "regular life", I don't live anything like an Amish lifestyle. So that comes with both its challenges and blessings. Last week I wrote about the hardest things about living with the Amish. This week, as promised, let's
- [How I Got To Know The Amish](https://amishamerica.com/family-time/): Update: below is the back-story of how I came to know the Amish. I've been long "retired" from selling books in Amish communities, but starting in 2004, this was my intro to Amish life. Over the next several years, I visited thousands of Amish homes in five states, including the four largest Amish settlements. Inspired
- [A Story Of Amish Horse Abuse](https://amishamerica.com/the-abuse-issue/): I run into Amish dog breeders almost every day here in Lancaster County. On this blog I usually contend that allegations of animal abuse in what are termed Amish puppy mills are at least a tad overblown. I do feel sorry at times to see dogs kept caged. At the same time I don't know
- [Are there Amish in New Jersey?](https://amishamerica.com/no-amish-new-jersey/): New Jersey is another one of those states that people think has or at least ought to have an Amish population (like Georgia). However, the Garden State does not. And not just that, I don't believe it has ever in history had an Amish community...which is kind of surprising when you think about it being
- [A California Amish Community](https://amishamerica.com/california-amish-community/): Despite what you may read or hear elsewhere, no Old Order Amish live in California today. That said, you will find related groups, such as Beachy Amish (similar to horse-and-buggy Amish, but they use cars and more tech) or Mennonites. But it's good to keep in mind that these related groups like Mennonites are not
- [The Amish Church District](https://amishamerica.com/the_amish_churc/): The Amish arrange themselves into compact groupings known as church districts. Each district has its own name, usually a geographically-based one--Lamoni South, Randolph, and Crab Orchard are examples of places providing names for districts, these being found in Iowa, Mississippi, and Kentucky Amish communities. Since the Amish travel by horse-and-buggy to one another's homes for
- [My Top Five Amish Settlements](https://amishamerica.com/my-top-five-amish-settlements/): Who loves rankings? (everyone loves rankings) - today I offer my personal top-five favorite Amish settlements. I hope you'll indulge my self-indulgence for this one day (I've been wanting to do this post for a long time!). I haven't been everywhere, but of the 17-or-so communities I've visited, these are the ones I would most
- [Buggy signs, part 2](https://amishamerica.com/buggy-signs-2/): After regretting (on the original buggy sign post) that we had no Allen County, Indiana sign, reader Torey has kindly shared this photo, taken near the town of Grabill. You may be aware that Amish in Allen County are considered "Swiss Amish". Swiss Amish differ in a few ways from most other Amish (most Amish
- [Inside an Amish Home: Swiss Amish](https://amishamerica.com/inside-amish-home-swiss/): Following up last week's look inside a New York Amish living room, we have a couple more photos of an Amish home interior, courtesy of SUNY-Potsdam anthropology professor Karen Johnson-Weiner. These shots were taken in a home in the Swiss Amish settlement in Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Swiss Amish tend to be fairly plain, and I
- [Have A Look At This $18,400 Amish Buggy](https://amishamerica.com/18400-dollar-amish-buggy/): Ten years ago, we had a look at a $9,861 Amish buggy seen in a PA community. This one is nearly double that price. Conclusion: Inflation is hitting the Amish hard too! Well, maybe not just inflation. This buggy comes loaded with some flashy features (at least in Amish terms). So a chunk of the price
- [Lancaster Amish Country In Spring (23 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/lancaster-amish-country-in-spring/): I just spent a week in Lancaster County, and enjoyed some wonderful spring weather. It's been a little while since I visited at this time of year. With the flowering trees at peak-level, or near it, it's truly beautiful right now. I wanted to share a grab bag of photos from my visit with you
- [Man Hits Amish Horse In The Dark, Survives](https://amishamerica.com/man-hits-amish-horse-in-the-dark-survives/): This happened over the weekend in central Michigan. Via UpNorthLive: ISABELLA COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) -- A 65-year-old Blanchard man is recovering at the hospital after he was unable to avoid a loose horse in the roadway, hitting it with his car. The horse was killed in the crash. According to Michigan State Police, he was
- [Amish Donut Maker: Sorry, No Donuts For You This Year](https://amishamerica.com/amish-donut-maker-sorry-no-donuts-for-you-this-year/): This is the kind of local color story I always get a kick out of. Not that I'm excited that this particular community will go without their Amish-made donuts. Not that at all. It's more how it shows how people value the products and experiences Amish people bring to their communities. The Power of Amish
- [New JPAC Issue Out Now: Amish Crime Experiences, Accident Study, Women & More](https://amishamerica.com/jpac-volume-four-issue-two/): Volume 4, Issue 2 of the Journal of Plain Anabaptist Communities is now available. Like previous issues, it offers readers a variety of topics. For example, the lead article by Rachel Stein, Professor of Sociology at West Virginia University and Mark Dewalt, Professor Emeritus at Winthrop University, examines the prevalence of accidents in smaller Amish
- [Inside A Northern Indiana Amish Home (15 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-northern-indiana-amish-home/): Nice look today inside an Amish-owned home in the third-largest of all Amish settlements (Elkhart-LaGrange County, Indiana). This is one of the more progressive communities. So you'll find the typical Amish touches - along with a bit more modern feel in this home (originally built in 1997). You can see that more progressive look right
- [Amish Bishops Ask County For Help...Because Younger Amish "Think they're invincible"](https://amishamerica.com/amish-bishops-ask-county-for-help-younger-amish-think-theyre-invincible/): There's a detail in this report on Amish buggy safety in Virginia that may be easy to overlook. At first glance, by the title ("Safety concerns continue for Amish, with state decision needed") it sounds like just another meeting about buggy safety issues, and what to do about them. But in the text we learn
- [A Windy Day At The Schoeneck Mud Sale (15 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/schoeneck-mud-sale/): I attended the Schoeneck (pronounced, I believe, "Shay-neck") Fire Company Mud Sale this past Saturday. What a nice day for this kind of event. Not much mud in sight though, and a rather windy day. This photo doesn't quite do it justice, but you can see the flags and the "Exit" sign being bent down
- [Amish Ministers: How are they chosen? Why does no one want the job? (And More)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-ministers/): In this video, Ben and I do a semi-deep dive on the topic of Amish ministers. I quite appreciated this conversation - it was a chance to get his answers to a lot of questions surrounding both choosing ministers, and the experience of being a minister, including: How Amish choose ministers What is "the lot"
- [Rebekah Byler Case Update (5 New Details) - Suspect Wanted To Go To Amish Church; Behaved Strangely & Burned Items](https://amishamerica.com/rebekah-byler-case-update-5-new-details/): In the past week, court documents were unsealed that revealed new details in the Rebekah Byler murder case. Much of it concerns the behavior of the man charged with the crimes, Shawn C. Cranston, as well as relevant evidence (and what he may have done with it). There are also new details on Cranston's prior
- ["He looks like a Bishop!" Ben Reacts to Amish Memes](https://amishamerica.com/amishman-reacts-to-amish-memes/): This may have been my favorite video to put together. In it, I show Ben several Amish-themed memes and get his reaction. And by reaction, I mean not only whether he finds them funny. But we also hear from Ben how plausible or true-to-life each one is. I'm not going to put a lot of
- [5 Tips When Visiting Amish Country](https://amishamerica.com/5-tips-when-visiting-an-amish-community/): Are you planning to visit an Amish community? What are some things to keep in mind when you go? In today's post we look at five tips that you might find helpful. I realize people are in different situations--some of us have visited Amish communities many times, while others have not but may be planning to.
- [5 Ways Amish Get Around (Without a Buggy or Car)](https://amishamerica.com/5-ways-amish-get-from-point-a-to-point-b-without-a-car-or-buggy/): We all know Amish travel by horse-and-buggy. Most ride as passengers in cars, and pretty much all Amish will take the bus or train when need be. But how about shorter trips? Here are five more ways Amish get from point A to point B: 1. Bicycle Bicycles are fairly common, especially in larger Midwestern
- [The 5 Friendliest Amish Communities](https://amishamerica.com/5-friendliest-amish-communities/): Which are the most friendly Amish communities? Yes, to answer that question we do have to generalize. But I think it's true that Amish communities can take on a certain character. If you've visited more than one Amish community and met enough people, you may have noticed this. People in some places just seem more happy to see you
- [The 7 Most Scenic Amish Communities](https://amishamerica.com/7-most-scenic-amish-communities/): Amish live in over 600 locations across North America. Some are places of great natural beauty. Scenery is something Amish appreciate - so much so that it may even weigh in the decision of where to start a new settlement. Amish, of course, create their own scenery by their very presence - buggies, windmills, and
- [Inside A (Mostly Empty) Mississippi Amish Home (18 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-mississippi-amish-home/): I don't believe we've yet seen inside a Mississippi Amish home, so I couldn't pass this one up. That's in part because Mississippi has such a small Amish population - just one community of around 160-some people. For an Amish community in the Deep South, you wouldn't expect to see a lot of icy precipitation.
- [English Join Amish To Move Montana Man's Garage (Video)](https://amishamerica.com/english-join-amish-to-move-montana-mans-garage/): Mike Kinsey's garage was moved to its new location on Saturday - thanks to a volunteer team of Amish and non-Amish people. Nelson Troyer, the Amishman in charge of the move, gathered 70 Amish people, and put out the call for 70 more to join from the non-Amish community. And enough responded to get the
- [Inside A Small (1,028-Square-Foot) Amish Home (24 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-small-1028-square-foot-amish-home/): This is one of the smallest Amish homes we've looked at (but not the smallest). The floor space is actually just a hair above 1K, at 1,028 square feet. What we most likely have here is a classic case: growing Amish family needs more room. This home is in Hancock, Wisconsin (Waushara County), home to
- [Why doesn't Amos Miller just get a permit to sell raw milk?](https://amishamerica.com/amos-miller-permit-to-sell-raw-milk/): That's the question Lancaster County Judge Thomas Sponaugle asked in the ongoing legal saga between Amish dairy farmer Amos Miller and the state of Pennsylvania. "Why doesn’t Amos Miller just go get a permit … just like every other Amish farmer in the county and commonwealth does if they want to sell raw milk?" the
- [An Amish "Go-Kart"](https://amishamerica.com/amish-go-kart-ducks-caption-photo/): A reader sends in the following set of photos, of an improvised vehicle in northern Indiana. I guess we could call this an Amish go-kart. "It was quite a custom job,' he explains. "The steering wheel was fabricated of round steel stock powered by a Honda engine with a drive belt to the rear axle.
- [Propane & Kerosene In Amish Homes: Is It Safe?](https://amishamerica.com/propane-kerosene-in-amish-homes-is-it-safe/): When I do posts and videos showing the insides of Amish homes, often enough you'll be able to see fuel sources such as propane tanks and kerosene, used for lighting, cooking and other purposes. People frequently wonder whether these sources of heat and light are safe. I asked Ben about this and he gives his
- [Ohio Amish Teen Robbed At Gunpoint; Search Is On For Dark Truck (UPDATE: Suspect Caught)](https://amishamerica.com/ohio-amish-teen-robbed-at-gunpoint-search-for-dark-truck/): An Ohio Amish teenager was robbed at gunpoint yesterday evening, and deputies are now seeking the suspect. This happened in Jackson County in the area of Beaver. From the Scioto Post: Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputies are actively investigating an armed robbery incident that occurred on Thursday evening, involving an Amish teenager traveling on Cove Road.
- [150 Amish To Pick Up & Move Man's Building Off Yellowstone River - For "Cookies"](https://amishamerica.com/150-amish-to-move-mans-building-off-yellowstone-river-for-cookies/): Another feel-good story for your Friday - at least "part one" of the story. An Amish man named Nelson Troyer is spearheading an effort to move the garage of a non-Amish neighbor. Mike Kinsey lost his home in flooding on the Yellowstone River in 2022. The move is happening tomorrow and Troyer is looking to
- [Visiting Amish Farm Stand Spring Bank Acres (20 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-farm-stand-spring-bank-acres/): Back in December, while on the way up to Goot Essa cheese, Ben and I stopped in at an Amish farm food business we happened upon along the way. Spring Bank Acres is located in Penns Valley and is run by Raymond Fisher and his wife Mary. I realized I hadn't shared this yet, so
- [Do Amish Bishops Make All The Rules?](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-bishops-make-all-the-rules/): A viewer writes/asks: "My understanding is that the church bishop makes decisions on what is and isn't allowed for their community." I've found this is a common belief: the bishops are "in charge", and in some cases wield heavy hands on their flocks. It fits with certain perceptions of the Amish as an insular, conservative
- [One Year Later, Inside Another South Dakota Amish Home (18 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-another-south-dakota-amish-home-18-photos/): Almost exactly one year ago it was reported the Amish were leaving Tripp, South Dakota. The community had been around for over a decade, and represented the only Amish presence in the state at the time. I had found examples of Amish homes for sale at Tripp prior to this news coming out and speculated that
- [Marlene Lehman on Amish Tourists and Plain & Simple (Video)](https://amishamerica.com/marlene-lehman-amish-tourists-plain-and-simple/): Last month we heard from Marlene Lehman, who belongs to an Amish church in Shipshewana, Indiana. In that post, she shared what her typical day looks like in a video excerpt from our longer conversation. Here in Part 2 with Marlene, we start by discussing the importance of the Amish tourist industry in her area.
- [Rebekah Byler Murder Case Update: Cranston Drove For The Amish](https://amishamerica.com/rebekah-byler-murder-update-cranston-drove-for-the-amish/): Shawn C. Cranston, accused in the killing of Amish mother Rebekah Byler, had a preliminary hearing on Friday, March 15th. It lasted over three hours and saw more than 10 witnesses called to testify. After looking at reporting from the case, I've put together some of the takeaways here, compiled from several reports linked within
- ["Yankees vs. Amish": Charity Basketball Game Raises Money For A Good Cause](https://amishamerica.com/yankee-vs-amish-basketball-game/): Amish vs. non-Amish in a competitive basketball game? In Geauga County, Ohio, home to the world's fourth-largest Amish settlement, it happens every year in a charity event, pitting Amish against non-Amish teams. The purpose is to raise money for the local DDC Clinic, which helps children with rare genetic disorders. This is something I'd heard
- [Former Marine Saved Amish 2-Year-Old In Van Crash](https://amishamerica.com/former-marine-saved-amish-toddler-in-van-crash/): Of the ten people involved in the Amish van accident last week, only one survived - an approximately two-year-old Amish boy named Micah Schrock. Not long after, an account emerged of how the boy made it through the catastrophic wreck in west-central Wisconsin.  A former Marine named Nathaniel Jahn was fortunately on the scene
- [Nine Die In Crash, Including 7 Amish From Burke's Garden, VA. 2-Year-Old Boy Only Survivor](https://amishamerica.com/nine-die-in-crash-two-year-old-amish-boy-only-survivor/):  Some very sad news following a road accident in Wisconsin Friday. A vanload of Amish people was struck by a semi in Clark County (west-central Wisconsin) while on a trip to visit family. From the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: As many as 7 of the 9 people killed in the second-deadliest crash in state history Friday
- [Ben Riehl Shares His Story & Answers Questions - Including A Tough One](https://amishamerica.com/ben-riehl-shares-his-story-answers-questions/): In this video (at bottom), Ben Riehl shares some of his story with us. We talk about his job, past work, and family. Then he answers some more questions, including on telephones, pizza, and the difference between Amish in northern and southern Lancaster County. There are also a couple of brief cameo appearances, by Ben's
- [The Amish Buggy (All About Plain Transportation)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-buggy/): The horse-drawn buggy is essential to Amish society. Amish buggies are both practical transport, and symbolic of the people. Though most Amish allow riding in motor vehicles such as cars and buses, no Amish permit ownership of the automobile. Amish feel the horse-drawn carriage promotes a slower pace of life and greater reliance on community.
- [10 Views Of The Charlotte County, Virginia Amish Community](https://amishamerica.com/10-views-charlotte-county-virginia-amish-community/): Going back again through some photos, I realized I still had a lot of shots from my last visits to Charlotte County, Virginia. I've already written about this community several times - in posts on an "off-the-map" Amish dry goods store, on Amish phone shacks, and on Esh's Variety Stand, a little two-day-a-week business selling
- [Man Arrested & Charged For Murder of Rebekah Byler & Her Unborn Child (Updated)](https://amishamerica.com/man-arrested-charged-for-murder-rebekah-byler-and-unborn-child/):  News is just coming out that police have made an arrest in the Rebekah Byler murder case. This comes five days after Rebekah's body was discovered at home by her husband. From Yourerie.com: Spartansburg, Pa. (WJET/WFXP) — State police have announced the arrest of 52-year-old Shawn Cranston of Corry, PA in the killing of
- [Pregnant 23-Year-Old Amish Woman Found Dead At Home - Police Investigating As Murder (Updated)](https://amishamerica.com/pregnant-23-year-old-amish-woman-found-dead-police-investigating-murder/): Hate to have to share this awful news, but a shocking story has emerged in northwest Pennsylvania. A 23-year-old Amish woman named Rebekah Byler was found dead at home yesterday, in what police are presuming is a homicide.  From fox8.com: CRAWFORD COUNTY, Penn. (WJET) – A murder investigation is underway at an Amish home
- [Amish Buggy Crash (With Weird A.I. Illustration?)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-buggy-crash-weird-artificial-intelligence-illustration/): I know AI content is showing up everywhere now. I've seen it used for some Amish-related content already. But this is the first time I've seen artificial intelligence illustrating an Amish buggy crash.  First, the more serious part of this story, the actual crash (via KTTN). Sadly, it is another bad-sounding buggy accident, this
- [40 Years of Amish First Names](https://amishamerica.com/40-years-of-amish-first-names/): What is a typical "Amish" first name? Well the answer to that question, at least in some communities, seems to change - a lot - over time. Jim Halverson shares an interesting feature in Die Blatt, an Amish publication out of the large northern Indiana settlement. They've compiled and published the first names Amish parents
- [Count Your Blessings: Amish Family Escapes Home Fire Unscathed](https://amishamerica.com/amish-family-escapes-home-fire-unscathed/): After a heavy news week, I just wanted to leave you with a story which - while I'm not quite sure you can call it "good" news - it's at the least a count-your-blessings type of story. There's not a ton to this, but it's been reported that an Amish family was able to escape
- [Inside A "Modern Country" Amish Home (14 Photos)](https://amishamerica.com/inside-a-modern-country-amish-home/): I'm calling this "modern country" because it is a more progressive Amish home - with a lot of the notes and decor you'll see in non-Amish rural homes. This is the type of home that some people will take a glance at and say "that's not Amish" - but in fact it is. In other
- [Amish Woman Marlene Lehman Shares Her Typical Day (Video)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-woman-marlene-lehman-shares-her-typical-day/): I recently sat down for an hour-long conversation with Marlene Lehman, who is a member of an Old Order Amish church in the Shipshewana, Indiana area. I really enjoyed speaking with Marlene as we talked about life in northern Indiana, how things have changed, tourist visitors, things she misses about the farming life, and what
- [Another Driver Who Shouldn't Be Driving Hits Amish Children - On Same Minnesota Road](https://amishamerica.com/another-driver-who-shouldnt-be-driving-hits-amish-children-same-minnesota-road/): Remember the two Amish children who were killed by one of the twin sisters in Minnesota? It turns out here was another car-buggy crash - this one a hit-and-run - on the exact same road (Fillmore County Road 1). Like the identity-swapping Petersen sisters, the driver here has an extensive record, and simply shouldn't be
- [The "Amish" of Greece?](https://amishamerica.com/the-amish-of-greece/): A rather bizarre story has been making the rounds, from all the way over in Greece. A family has been discovered living in very basic conditions, and subsequently compared to the Amish in the media. But is that a good comparison? From Greek Reporter: Police recently arrested the father of a family living an “early
- ["Amish babies take a little longer" - Ben Answers Humorous Questions on Amish Weddings & Finding Wives](https://amishamerica.com/amish-babies-take-a-little-longer-amishman-answers-humorous-questions/): Here's another video in my series with Ben (previous video - "Do Amish Believe They’re The Only True Christians?" here). In this one, he answers a question about Amish marriages. A viewer asked the following: You made a comment about Autumn being the wedding season for the Amish people. I'm not trying to be sarcastic
- [The Ausbund: Amish Church Songbook](https://amishamerica.com/ausbund/): An ancient Anabaptist hymnal The Ausbund is a very important book for the Amish. This hymnal contains centuries-old songs originating with Anabaptist captives held at the Oberhaus castle prison in Passau, located in present-day southeastern Germany. Amishman Benuel Blank wrote The Amazing Story of the Ausbund about this remarkable songbook. About the Ausbund Blank writes: The
- [Inside an Amish Home: Heat & Wash](https://amishamerica.com/inside-an-amish-home-heat-wash/): A photo taken by reader Rose in the Kingston/Dalton Wisconsin Amish community. What do you notice? Madison WI Amish Furniture
- [What are Amish "shop houses"?](https://amishamerica.com/amish-shop-houses/): Visiting Amish communities you might notice people living in a building meant for something else. Tom shares a little today about these "shop houses" along with a few photos from Angelica, NY: Says Tom: "In Conewango and other conservative settlements I visit young married Amish couples often build a shop house. This a very simple
- [Amish "Twins"](https://amishamerica.com/searching-for-a-twin/): "Hello, do I have a twin out there?" Despite how it may sound, this isn't a plea for a long-lost identical sibling. The above comes from The Diary newspaper, which features a regular "Twins and Circle Letters" section. I remember first learning about Amish "twins" when my friend's wife, whom I had known for around
- [Amish Volunteerism](https://amishamerica.com/do-you-volunteer/): One of the more remarkable interactions between Amish and civic society occurs in Lancaster County, in the form of Amish and other Plain People volunteering, at a quite high level, on local fire crews. This article details that involvement, as well as Plain participation as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). These aren't just a few token

## Pages

- [The Amish in Wisconsin: 2026 Guide (72 Communities)](https://amishamerica.com/wisconsin-amish/): The Amish population in Wisconsin is the fourth-largest in North America. At about 29,000 people (2026), Wisconsin has fewer Amish than only Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. Amish communities can be found in 72 locations throughout the Badger State. But where exactly are the Amish in Wisconsin? Can you visit them? Read on for more. Wisconsin
- [The Amish in West Virginia: 2026 Guide (14 Communities)](https://amishamerica.com/west-virginia-amish/): Mountainous West Virginia shares long borders with Pennsylvania and Ohio - states with the highest concentrations of Amish in the country. So you might expect West Virginia to have a sizeable Amish population too. Amish Communities in West Virginia Visit Amish in West Virginia Past WV Amish settlements West Virginia Amish today Yet the West
- [The Amish in Virginia: 2026 Guide (18 Communities)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-virginia/): Over the past decade, the population of Amish in Virginia has grown rapidly. As of 2026, Amish live in 18 locations in Virginia, with a total population of over 2,600 Amish. Amish Communities in Virginia Visit Amish in Virginia Past VA Amish settlements Virginia Amish today  Amish Communities in Virginia After relatively limited settlement
- [The Amish in Texas: 2026 Guide (Beeville Community)](https://amishamerica.com/texas-amish/): The popular image of Texas is a land of oil, beef cattle, and ten-gallon hats. Not exactly what comes to mind when you think "Amish". And truth be told, few Amish have ever settled in the Lone Star state. The only Amish community in Texas But in a remote corner of the state, Stetson hats
- [The Amish in Tennessee: 2026 Guide (16 Communities)](https://amishamerica.com/tennessee-amish/): Tennessee is home to one of the largest Amish communities in the South Mention "Amish", and most people don't think of the South. Yet for over 80 years, a now-sizeable Amish settlement has grown and flourished just an hour-and-a-half outside of Nashville, at Ethridge. The Ethridge Amish Community Visiting Ethridge Ethridge Amish Stores Other TN
- [The Amish in South Dakota: 2026 Guide (Two Communities)](https://amishamerica.com/south-dakota-amish/): The Amish have attempted to settle in North Dakota on numerous occasions. They've paid much less attention to the other Dakota, better known for its communities of Hutterites, Anabaptist cousins to the Amish. While North Dakota has no existing Amish communities today, South Dakota is now home to two Amish settlements: one near Burke in
- [The Amish in Pennsylvania: 2026 Guide (67 Communities)](https://amishamerica.com/pennsylvania-amish/): When many think "Amish", the first place that comes to mind is Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. But the Amish presence in the Keystone State goes well beyond that community. As of 2026, Pennsylvania has the nation's largest Amish population - over 96,000 Amish people living in 67 settlements. Amish Communities in Pennsylvania Lancaster County - The
- [The Amish in Oklahoma: 2026 Guide (Four Communities)](https://amishamerica.com/oklahoma-amish/): Oklahoma is not known for much Amish settlement. But the state does have a small but long-lived presence in two places, at Chouteau in Mayes County, and Clarita in Coal County. Two younger Amish communities are at Welch (Craig County) and Westville (Adair County). The Sooner State's Amish population has not grown much over the
- [The Amish in Ohio: 2026 Guide (78 Communities)](https://amishamerica.com/ohio-amish/): The Amish have made their home in the Buckeye State since 1808, when the first settlers moved west from Somerset County in Pennsylvania to settle the hills and valleys of eastern Ohio. Today, the Amish number an estimated 87,760 people in Ohio, found in 78 individual settlements. Ohio has the second-largest Amish population, behind only
- [The Amish in North Carolina: 2026 Guide (Two Communities)](https://amishamerica.com/north-carolina-amish/): North Carolina is home to two very different Amish communities North Carolina has a limited history of Amish settlement. But today you'll find two distinct Amish communities in the state, lying about 90 miles apart. Both are horse-and-buggy Amish groups - but they're quite different from each other. One community (Union Grove) is arguably the
- [The Amish in New York: 2026 Guide (64 Communities)](https://amishamerica.com/new-york-amish/): New York is a state which many do not immediately associate with the Amish. But as of 2026, over 26,000 Amish live in New York, in 64 distinct locations. In fact, it has the fifth-largest Amish population of any state. The Empire State first saw Amish settlers in 1831, and has had a significant Amish
- [The Amish in Nebraska: 2026 Guide (7 Communities)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-nebraska/): Nebraska was first settled by Amish in 1880. Settlement since then has been sporadic, with just a relative handful of Amish in the state today (as of 2026, approximately 713 Amish people). Antelope County (Ewing/Orchard) Pawnee County (Pawnee City) Knox County (Verdigre) Other Amish Communities in Nebraska Defunct Amish Communities in Nebraska Clearing Up Confusion:
- [The Amish in Montana: 2026 Guide (16 Communities)](https://amishamerica.com/montana-amish/): Montana has had a continuous Amish presence since 1974. The state's 16 communities range from the oldest at Rexford (Lincoln County) in the state's mountainous northwest corner, to Rosebud County in the eastern Plains. The state's Amish population as of 2026 is approximately 1,630 Amish people. Amish Communities in Montana Amish first settled in Montana
- [The Amish in Missouri: 2026 Guide (69 Communities)](https://amishamerica.com/missouri-amish/): The Missouri Amish population has seen rapid growth in recent years, in part due to Amish migration from other states. Today Missouri is home to around 19,360 Amish - in 69 settlements across the state (see Young Center). The Missouri Amish population is North America's seventh-largest. Missouri Amish communities include: Seymour - The area near
- [The Amish in Mississippi: 2026 Guide (Randolph Community)](https://amishamerica.com/mississippi-amish/): The Deep South has seen only sporadic Amish settlement. Today, a single Amish community is found in Pontotoc County, Mississippi, near the town of Randolph, home to an estimated 155 Amish people. The Randolph group has been the state's only established Amish settlement for three decades - though a second may now be taking shape
- [The Amish in Minnesota: 2026 Guide (26 Communities)](https://amishamerica.com/minnesota-amish/): The Amish have called Minnesota home for over half a century. The state's 26 Amish settlements cluster in two main regions: the southeast corner of the state, and the central-northwest. As of 2026, over 5,500 Amish people live in Minnesota. Minnesota Amish Communities Amish in fact first settled in the North Star State in the
- [The Amish in Michigan: 2026 Guide (55 Communities)](https://amishamerica.com/michigan-amish/): Michigan is home to the sixth-largest Amish population. The state has a long history of Amish settlement, with the first Amish settling in the Great Lakes State in 1895. Today (2026) the Michigan Amish population numbers over 21,000 people. Michigan’s 166 Amish church districts are scattered across 55 distinct settlements, from Hillsdale and Branch Counties
- [The Amish in Maryland: 2026 Guide (5 Communities)](https://amishamerica.com/maryland-amish/): Maryland has had a small Amish presence since the mid-1800s. As of 2026, the estimated Amish population in Maryland is approximately 2,020 people, most of whom live in the sizeable St. Mary's County settlement. St. Mary's County (Mechanicsville) - The state's largest Amish settlement was founded by Lancaster County Amish in 1940 Oakland (Garrett County)
- [The Amish in Kentucky: 2026 Guide (59 Communities)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-kentucky/): Kentucky has a sizeable, growing Amish population. As of 2026, over 17,200 Amish live in nearly 60 locations across the state. Kentucky's Amish population is now the 8th-largest in the country - even though Amish didn't come to the state until the 1950s. Munfordville/Horse Cave -This well-established community in Hart County is KY's largest Hopkinsville
- [The Amish in Kansas: 2026 Guide (17 Communities)](https://amishamerica.com/kansas-amish/): Kansas has long been home to Amish people - but it has never had a very large Amish population. Kansas Amish communities are either very old (well over 100 years in age), or very young (founded in the past two decades). Recently, however, Amish have been adding new settlements in the state. As of 2026,
- [The Amish in Iowa: 2026 Guide (29 Communities)](https://amishamerica.com/iowa-amish/): The Amish in Iowa have their largest communities in four locations - near the towns of Kalona, Bloomfield, Seymour, and Hazleton. These four settlements make up over half of the state's Amish population. Besides these sizeable settlements, Amish can be found in over 20 smaller communities. As of 2026, Iowa's Amish population is approximately 11,180
- [The Amish in Indiana: 2026 Guide (28 Communities)](https://amishamerica.com/indiana-amish/): Over 60,000 Amish live in the Hoosier State - in over two dozen communities, like Shipshewana, Nappanee & more. The 2023 guide to Indiana's Amish Country.
- [The Amish in Illinois: 2026 Guide (20 Communities)](https://amishamerica.com/illinois-amish/): The Illinois Amish population was approximately 9,395 people as of 2026, spread across 20 communities. The Amish community at Arthur is by far the largest in Illinois, with well over half the state's Amish. Other Amish settlements are found across the state, particularly in the south and west regions. The Arthur Amish Community Arthur Amish
- [The Amish in Florida: 2026 Guide (Pinecraft Community)](https://amishamerica.com/florida-amish/): Amish in Florida? Citrus trees and Amish people may seem an odd mix. But Plain people have lived on Florida's Gulf Coast since the 1920s. The Pinecraft neighborhood of Sarasota is home to a unique Amish and Mennonite community. Pinecraft is the only permanent Old Order Amish presence in Florida. Amish in Pinecraft (Sarasota, Florida)
- [The Amish in Delaware: 2026 Guide (Dover Community)](https://amishamerica.com/delaware-amish/): Tiny Delaware is home to a single sizable, long-lived Amish settlement. Founded over 100 years ago, the community just outside state capital Dover continues to grow, despite land pressure. Today (2026), over 2,100 Amish live in the Dover Amish community. The Dover Amish Community Delaware Amish Businesses Unique Delaware Amish Buggies Future of the Delaware
- [The Amish in Colorado: 2026 Guide (8 Communities)](https://amishamerica.com/colorado-amish/): As of 2023, nearly 900 Amish live in Colorado, in seven different locations. Learn more about Amish in Monte Vista, La Jara, and other CO communities.
- [The Amish in Arkansas: 2026 Guide (3 Communities)](https://amishamerica.com/arkansas-amish/): Arkansas has seen just a few attempts at Amish settlement over the years. As of 2026, there is a small but established Amish presence in the state, found in three small communities. The Fulton County (Salem) Amish Community Other Arkansas Amish Communities Past Amish Settlements in Arkansas The Defunct Clay County Community: An Amish "Ghost
- [Mennonite vs Amish: What's the Difference?](https://amishamerica.com/whats-the-difference-between-amish-and-mennonites/): Amish and Mennonites share many things in common. But the question of how they differ is more complicated than it might look. That's because the Amish are a diverse group. And so are the churches that fall under the "Mennonite" label. Amish & Mennonites: Similarities Old Order Mennonites Amish & Mennonites: Differences Beachy Amish "Modern"
- [Can You Join The Amish? (And Why I Wouldn't...)](https://amishamerica.com/becoming-amish/): Have you ever wondered if you can join the Amish? Regular readers of this site know that we often cover joining the Amish. That includes posts on Amish converts in Maryland and Maine, or even on joining the Amish later in life. Can outsiders join the Amish? How do you become Amish? Do the Amish try
- [New Order Amish vs. Old Order: What's the Difference?](https://amishamerica.com/whats-the-difference-between-new-order-and-old-order-amish/): New Order Amish are often described as “more progressive” than Old Order Amish. But that's not the best description. New Order Amish are more progressive than Old Order in some ways - and more conservative in others. New Order Amish Facts New Order Amish make up only a small part of the total Amish population
- [Amish Baskets](https://amishamerica.com/amish-baskets/): Find Handmade Amish Baskets Baskets are among the many popular items handmade by the Amish. You may have seen Amish adults and children selling baskets by the side of the road in Amish communities. Amish craftspeople create baskets for the retail market, with a strong tradition of basket-making in some places. Amish sell their baskets
- [Rumspringa & Amish Youth (Myths & Realities)](https://amishamerica.com/what-is-rumspringa/): What is Rumspringa? Rumspringa is the term used to describe the period of adolescence Amish young people go through starting at age 16. Rumspringa has often been covered in books and films - to varying degrees of accuracy. There are many misconceptions about Rumspringa. Let's have a look at what actually happens during Rumspringa and
- [Amish Names: Common First Names & Surnames](https://amishamerica.com/what-are-common-amish-names/): What are common Amish names? Certain names occur frequently in Amish communities, reflecting the relatively closed nature of Amish society. As a general rule, the Amish do not seek converts (though it is possible to become Amish). That aside, it's quite difficult to join a group like the Amish, with specific patterns of behavior, language,
- [Swartzentruber Amish: The Most Traditional Group](https://amishamerica.com/who-are-the-swartzentruber-amish/): The most conservative Amish Swartzentruber Amish are a subgroup within Old Order Amish society. Swartzentruber Amish use more limited technology, dress more plainly, and typically have a lower standard of living than more progressive Amish. Swartzentruber Amish are arguably the most traditional significant Amish subgroup. They're apt to see themselves as holding to tradition more
- [11 Questions on Amish Beliefs](https://amishamerica.com/beliefs/): What do the Amish believe? Common questions on Amish beliefs. Are the Amish Christian? What are some basic Amish religious beliefs? Why don't Amish fight in wars? Do Amish think technology is evil? Why do Amish believe in separation from the world? When do Amish get baptized? Do Amish believe in assurance of salvation? Why
- [Amish Barns](https://amishamerica.com/amish-barns/): Find an Amish-built barn Barns have a special place in Amish society, with its agricultural traditions and communal custom of barn-raising. The red-painted barn is symbolic of Amish culture and the people's long-standing ties to the land. In recent years, however, the term "Amish barns" has come to signify not just the full-scale buildings key
- [The Amish in Canada: 2026 Guide (22 Communities)](https://amishamerica.com/canada-amish/): The Amish have long lived in Canada, with roots in the country dating to the 1800s. Today, the Canadian Amish population exceeds 6,600 people, living in 22 different communities. For many years, Ontario was the only province in Canada where Amish lived. But in the past decade, small settlements have been established in New Brunswick
- [The Amish in Maine: 2026 Guide (11 Communities)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-maine/): New England has historically seen little Amish settlement. Maine, however, is one exception. Amish have steadily founded new communities in the state, growing from just three settlements in 2010, to 11 communities today (2026). Smyrna - The state's oldest Amish settlement has an unusual origin story Fort Fairfield - Maine's largest Amish community is also
- [Amish Communities: 33-State Guide (2026)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-state-guide/): Searching for an Amish community? This is your guide to Old Order Amish communities in 33 states, Canada & Latin America. Jump to State: AL AR CO DE FL ID IL IN IA KS KY ME MD MI MN MS MO MT NE NM NY NC OH OK PA SD TN TX VA VT WV
- [Amish Tables](https://amishamerica.com/amish-tables/): Dining Tables, Occasional Tables and more Amish furniture makers handcraft tables in a wide range of styles and designs. Dining tables and occasional tables are among the most popular table types crafted by Amish woodworkers. Amish-made tables come in a wide range of solid hardwoods and finishes, and can be customized with options such as
- [Amish Furniture - West Virginia (3 Stores)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-furniture-west-virginia/): A guide to Amish furniture in West Virginia - The West Virginia Amish population has grown in recent years. Amish furniture stores can be found in at least three locations in the Mountain State - within driving distance of Charleston, Huntington, Parkersburg, Morgantown, Wheeling, Weirton, and other WV locations. West Virginia Amish Furniture Store List
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- [Amish Buggies (10 Common Questions)](https://amishamerica.com/buggies/): Why do Amish refuse to drive cars? How much do Amish buggies cost? Who makes Amish buggies? How many buggies do Amish own? How fast do Amish buggies travel? How far can a horse-and-buggy go? What colors are Amish buggies? Are Amish buggies heated? What safety features do Amish buggies have? Why do some Amish
- [The Amish: A to Z (Featured Articles)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-online-encyclopedia/): What do the Amish believe? Why do they live the way they do? Below you'll find over 70 articles in 14 categories on Amish beliefs, rules, culture, customs and more. 1. Amish Lifestyle2. Amish Population3. Amish Beliefs4. Amish Rules5. Amish Religion6. Types of Amish7. Amish History 8. The Amish Family9. The Amish & Technology10. The
- [Are the Amish RICH? Looks can be deceiving](https://amishamerica.com/are-the-amish-rich/): You usually don't think "wealthy" when you think of the Amish. Their plain appearance seems to confirm this. Wearing austere clothing, living in simple homes, driving a horse-and-buggy instead of a sports car...that hardly suggests "affluent". Looks can be deceiving, however. You certainly do have Amish that are quite wealthy - even millionaires, many times
- [How Do The Amish Celebrate Christmas? (Customs & Traditions)](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-celebrate-christmas/): The Amish do celebrate Christmas - but not in all the same ways that non-Amish do. December 25th and the days leading up to it are important ones in Amish communities. In fact, some Amish even celebrate Christmas more than once! (more on that below). How do Amish celebrate Christmas? Amish Christmas traditions Amish and
- [Amish Beans Recipes: 7 PA Dutch Classics](https://amishamerica.com/amish-bean-recipes/): Cooking with beans in the Amish kitchen Simple and hearty beans are an important part of Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch cooking. Beans come in all manner of shapes, sizes, and colors. The bean is a simple, hearty food, packed with protein and nutrition, an essential part of many delicious dishes. String beans, lima beans, kidney
- [Amish TV Shows (5 Common Questions)](https://amishamerica.com/tv-shows/): Is "Amish Mafia" real? Does "Breaking Amish" reflect reality for Amish youth? Why are there so many Amish television programs? Do the Amish ever watch TV? What programs or films are reliable sources of info on the Amish? Back to FAQ main page From a past post on this website: Over the past two weeks,
- [Popular Posts](https://amishamerica.com/amish-topics/): Share your thoughts with the Amish America community Below you'll find over 100 of our most popular discussion posts, covering a vast range of topics--from controversial issues to a lighter look at Amish life. Scroll down to browse individual posts. Or use the links list to jump to a category of your choice. Categories Amish
- [The Amish & Photography: Is it ever OK?](https://amishamerica.com/what-do-amish-think-about-photography/): Amish attitudes to picture-taking vary It's a common belief that Amish don't like having their photos taken. You may even see “No photos please” signs displayed in Amish communities. And it's true that like any people, Amish don't like being treated like zoo animals. Most Amish people instinctively avoid picture-seeking tourists, or photojournalists seeking to
- [Amish History: 10 Common Questions Answered](https://amishamerica.com/history/): Questions on Amish origins and history Where do the Amish come from? Why are they called "Amish"? Who was Jakob Ammann? Who was Menno Simons? Who were the Anabaptists? Who was Dirk Willems? When did the Amish come to America? Which is the oldest Amish community? When did Amish disappear in Europe? Do the Amish change
- [Where Are Amish Babies Born? (3 Places)](https://amishamerica.com/where-are-amish-babies-born/):  Amish children are born in hospitals, birthing centers - and at home Amish families have on average six to nine children (depending on the community). Amish parents make different choices about where to have their children. Some Amish prefer having children at home, in special birthing centers, or in conventional hospitals. Why some Amish
- [Amish Family Size: How many children is typical?](https://amishamerica.com/how-many-children-do-amish-have/): Amish families are large, with up to nine children on average In contrast to modern society, an Amish couple expects to have a large family. An Amish woman often becomes pregnant shortly after her wedding. Amish view children as gifts from God. Thus the use of contraception is frowned upon. However, some Amish may use
- [The Amish & Outsiders (6 Questions)](https://amishamerica.com/outsiders/): What do Amish call the rest of us? Do Amish cooperate with non-Amish? Can I be friends with the Amish? Can I visit an Amish community? Do Amish accept outsiders into the church? One Amishman's view Back to FAQ main page 1. What do Amish call non-Amish people? Most commonly, Amish refer to non-Amish people
- [How Does Amish Health Care Work? Doctors, Alternative Medicine & More](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-visit-doctors/): Amish people take different approaches to health care. Some Amish visit conventional doctors fairly regularly. Amish people generally do accept modern medical treatment, when necessary. However, many Amish prefer natural and traditional remedies, and "alternative medicine". Do Amish visit doctors? How do Amish pay for health care? Working with doctors & hospitals Genetic issues Vaccination
- [The Amish Barn Raising: How it works & Why they do it](https://amishamerica.com/what-happens-at-an-amish-barn-raising/): For the Amish, a barn raising is an example of a frolic, a work event that combines socializing with a practical goal. The barn raising fulfills a practical need. New barns are needed from time to time.  The barn-raising demonstrates the Amish value of hard work. This special event also serves to tie the
- [Can Amish Fly In Airplanes? (2 Exceptions)](https://amishamerica.com/can-amish-fly/): Amish generally do not fly by airplane - with a few exceptions The short answer: no, Amish do not fly in planes. For the most part, Amish churches ban flying, though certain groups of Amish do permit it. Also, most Amish do allow air travel in extraordinary situations (eg, emergencies).  Why Amish don’t travel
- [Amish Country: What To Do (8 Ideas)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-country-what-to-do/): What can you do in Amish Country? In this guide I share my eight top ideas for Amish Country activities with you. Your choices will also depend somewhat on the type of community you visit. Visit Amish Stores Visit an Amish/Mennonite Cultural Center Attend an Amish Auction Eat at an Amish or PA Dutch-style restaurant
- [The Anabaptists: A Brief History](https://amishamerica.com/who-are-the-anabaptists/): The Anabaptists were predecessors to the Amish, Mennonites, and other Christian churches The Anabaptists were a religious group which developed a set of beliefs counter to the dominant Catholic Church. Anabaptist beliefs also set them apart from Protestant reformers. The term "Anabaptist" is still used today to describe churches which descended from the original movement.
- [Amish Country: Where To Eat (5 Options)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-country-where-to-eat/): Chances are, on your visit to Amish Country, at some point you'll get hungry. So what to do about that? Let's forget fast food and go for something "Amish style". That's why we're here after all! I've got five ideas for you, for an authentic (to varying degrees) Amish meal experience. Amish or PA Dutch-Style
- [Amish Country: Where To Stay (3 Options)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-country-where-to-stay/): Many people, when they visit Amish Country, want to stay as close to the Amish as possible. I'm going to give you three ideas on how to make that happen. Amish Farm Stays Local Inn/Hotel/Guesthouse/B&B Stay with Amish Friends The first option, Amish farm stays, is the best of both worlds - doable, and as
- [Are There Amish in South Carolina? Yes & No (2 Locations)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-south-carolina/): Are there any Amish communities in South Carolina? The answer is no - if you mean Old Order (horse-and-buggy) Amish. Now it's true you'll find references to Amish in South Carolina online. But in reality, you won't find any horse-and-buggy Amish settlements in the state. In fact, South Carolina is one of 18 states with
- [Where Do The Amish Live? (30+ States & International Locations)](https://amishamerica.com/where-do-the-amish-live/): You'll find Amish communities in over 30 states From a population of 5,000 at the beginning of the 20th century, the Amish have grown to over 400,000 strong in North America. Amish have long been associated with Pennsylvania. But they are in fact present today in 32 states, three Canadian provinces, and even one South
- [Do Amish people dance?](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-dance/): The 1997 comedy film "For Richer or Poorer", set in Amish Country, contains a famous barn dance scene. In the scene, Amish people happily "shake a leg". In reality, Amish adults do not dance (at least not publicly), though Amish youth sometimes do. Why don't Amish adults dance? Dancing is not considered modest by the
- [Do Amish Enjoy Music & Singing? (6 Examples)](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-enjoy-music-and-singing/): Amish people enjoy music and/or singing in church, school, work, and at rest. Their experience of music and singing is (for the most part) different from the average American person. But music, and especially singing, are an important part of Amish life.  Church song - Singing in church is an expression of praise to
- [The Amish & Nonresistance: Beyond Pacifism](https://amishamerica.com/why-dont-amish-serve-in-the-military/): One of the founding beliefs of Anabaptism and one which defines the Amish is their adherence to the doctrine of nonresistance. This belief influences the Amish approach not only to the military but to politics, law enforcement, and litigation. In essence, the Amish refuse to fight in wars, serve on police forces, or sue in
- [The Amish & Genetic Disorders (2 Causes)](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-have-genetic-disorders/): Some Amish and Mennonites suffer from rare genetic problems - little-seen in the general population. Certain Amish populations also exhibit diseases and conditions seen elsewhere - but at a higher rate than the general public. The Amish and related groups have been helped by outsiders in the medical community in treating genetic problems. Rare genetic
- [Where Do The Amish Come From? (A Brief History)](https://amishamerica.com/where-do-the-amish-come-from/): The Amish have their origins in Europe. The group emerged in the late 1600s out of the broader Anabaptist movement. Today the Amish are among the most easily recognizable peoples in North America. For some, they may seem a living remnant of a bygone era, or a people stubbornly clinging to outdated ways. But where
- [Why don't the Amish file lawsuits?](https://amishamerica.com/why-dont-amish-sue/): Amish people, as a whole, tend to be very law-abiding (with some notable exceptions) and exhibit low levels of crime. One thing that sets the Amish apart from non-Amish society is their reluctance, and often outright refusal, to get involved with legal matters. This is clearly seen in the typical Amish approach to litigation. Amish
- [Amish Business (9 Common Questions)](https://amishamerica.com/business/): Why are Amish businesses closed on Sunday? What are typical Amish businesses? How can I find an Amish business? Why are small businesses popular among Amish? How many Amish businesses are there? Do Amish make a lot of money? Can Amish women run businesses? What kinds of auctions do Amish hold? Do Amish have to
- [Do Amish people eat pork?](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-eat-pork/): Unlike some other religious traditions, the Amish have no restrictions against eating pork. For that matter, Amish people do not follow any significant religious dietary laws. Amish people traditionally raise and eat pigs and hogs. Eating pork products is common among Amish In fact, pork makes up a significant part of the Amish diet -
- [Where do Amish go shopping? (6 Places)](https://amishamerica.com/where-do-amish-go-shopping/): Though we might think of the Amish as isolated from society, Amish people do participate in the economy. Like other Americans, Amish people purchase a wide variety of consumer goods. For example, it's true that many Amish grow much of the food they consume. But Amish people also purchase food and other products in a
- [Do Amish people ride bicycles?](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-ride-bicycles/): Do the Amish ride bikes? The answer is: "it depends". Like with other technologies, different groups have different rules when it comes to bicycles. The bicycle is common among Amish in some communities, particularly in the Midwest. These communities include: Holmes County, Ohio The Shipshewana & Nappanee areas in Indiana Arthur, Illinois Jamesport, Missouri ...among
- [Where do Amish bury their dead? (Amish Cemeteries)](https://amishamerica.com/where-do-amish-bury-their-dead/): Amish cemeteries are typically located on a plot of land sectioned off from a community member's farm. In some cases, Amish and Mennonites may share a cemetery. Individuals from the community tend the cemetery, mowing grass and maintaining the fence surrounding it. Gravestones in an Amish cemetery are typically small and simple, listing the deceased
- [Do Amish people use guns?](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-use-guns/): The Amish belief in nonresistance mean Amish will not serve in the military, law enforcement, or in any other position that requires them to use firearms against other people. But that doesn't mean Amish are strangers to guns. In fact, many Amish homes contain firearms. Farmers in particular keep guns at home, in order to
- [Do Amish people hunt?](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-hunt/): Amish believe in nonresistance, which prevents them from using force against others. This principle means that Amish people do not serve in the military or on police forces. However, Amish do use firearms for hunting, and other purposes. Hunting is a popular sport for many Amish Not all Amish people hunt, but many do. Some
- [Do Amish people go to college?](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-go-to-college/): The Amish do not attend college, or even high school. Amish people feel an eight-grade education is enough for members of their society. The Amish traditionally have farmed and performed manual labor. Sometimes, Amish-raised individuals go on to get a GED, or even to graduate from college. On occasion some Amish youth have even attended
- [Do Amish children go to school?](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-children-go-to-school/): Like their "English" (non-Amish) peers, Amish children are required by law to attend school. However, Amish children traditionally attend school only through the eighth grade. The Amish feel an eighth-grade education is sufficient for an Amish lifestyle. Amish people are also wary of some of the subject matter typically taught in high schools. The Amish
- [Do the Amish use electricity?](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-use-electricity/): The "Amish approach" to electricity is somewhat complicated. On the one hand, almost all Amish groups reject public grid power in their homes. But many Amish do get electric power from a variety of other sources. The Amish do not reject electricity completely - and most do use it in various ways. It can be
- [The Slow-Moving Vehicle Triangle: Why Some Amish Reject It](https://amishamerica.com/do-all-amish-use-the-slow-moving-vehicle-triangle/): The black Amish buggy with the distinct bright orange triangle has become a symbol of the Amish. But while the slow moving vehicle triangle is an important part of road safety - it's not one that all Amish accept. Why do (most) Amish use the Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) triangle? The reason for use of the
- [Amish Church (How It Works)](https://amishamerica.com/what-is-amish-church-like/): The Amish are a Christian group with roots in Europe going back centuries. While they share common beliefs with other Christians, their church practice is quite different in certain ways. At-home worship is just one aspect that sets them apart from other Christian denominations. Amish Church - Basic Facts Amish Church Structure Church Leaders (Bishop,
- [Do Amish people tell jokes?](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-tell-jokes/): The Amish have a healthy sense of humor Amish people enjoy jokes like any other people - which shouldn't come as a surprise. Spending a lot of time around family and friends, as the Amish do, provides a perfect venue for laughs. This might surprise some, as it's the opposite of how the Amish are
- [Do Amish use birth control? (The rule...and exceptions)](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-use-birth-control/): Amish (generally) reject artificial contraception The Amish, on the whole, take the “go forth and multiply” dictate to heart. Children are seen as a blessing and large families valued by Amish. Traditionally, Amish reject all forms of birth control. In practice, however, some may employ natural means such as the rhythm method, and even artificial
- [Do Amish people play sports?](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-play-sports/): Amish opinion on sports varies Amish might be the last people you'd expect to see on a sports field. But Amish do enjoy a wide range of sporting activities. At the same time, sports are controversial among some Amish, who see participation by adults as immodest and sports best reserved for children. There is a
- [Amish Country: Where To Go (25-Community Guide)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-country-where-to-go/): So you're thinking about a visit to Amish Country. There's one thing you'll need to figure out first: where should you go? There are over 600 Amish communities, after all. Narrowing down your choices will depend on different things - like driving distance, what you want to do in Amish Country, and so on. To
- [Do Amish people wear wedding rings?](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-wear-wedding-rings/): Amish people do not wear jewelry (for the most part) The wedding ring is an important symbol of marriage in modern culture. However, Amish married couples do not wear wedding rings, or jewelry in general (with certain exceptions - see below). Jewelry is seen as drawing attention to the body and thus encouraging pride. Symbols
- [When do Amish get married? (Typical age)](https://amishamerica.com/when-do-amish-get-married/): Amish people typically get married in their early 20s Compared to non-Amish Americans, the Amish marry young - typically at age 21 to 23. Amish females usually are about a year younger on average than males at marriage. Amish youth date and find marriage partners during the youth period known as Rumspringa, or "running around".
- [Can Amish People Marry non-Amish?](https://amishamerica.com/can-amish-marry-non-amish/): Marriage in the Amish church requires both people to be members The Amish position on mixed marriages between Amish and non-Amish people is simple. To be married in the Amish church, both people must be baptized within the church. This is an "Amish rule" which is universal across all Amish churches. However, there are two
- [Amish Holidays: What They Observe](https://amishamerica.com/what-holidays-do-amish-celebrate/): Amish observe a variety of religious holidays, and some public holidays as well Amish appreciate time off just as any other Americans do, in order to rest, spend time with family and for religious observation. The Amish holiday schedule differs somewhat from that of the typical American, however. Public holidays Amish generally do not celebrate
- [Amish Transportation: 7 Ways Amish People Travel](https://amishamerica.com/how-do-amish-travel/): Mention “Amish transportation” and the horse-and-carriage immediately comes to mind. But most Amish also travel using other means - including car, train, bus, and by water. Types of Amish Transportation Buggy - The horse-and-buggy is the form of travel most associated with the Amish. It both slows down, and symbolizes, Amish life Automobile - Most Amish
- [7 Questions for Amishman John Smucker (Forest Ridge Builders - Lancaster County, PA)](https://amishamerica.com/forest-ridge-builders-lancaster-county-pa/): John Smucker is a friend of mine living in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. We met in 2007 while I was selling books in that community. John is one of a number of Amish contractors operating in the Lancaster County area. His company, Forest Ridge Builders, does new residential construction, additions, remodel work, decks, garages, and barns.
- [Amish Jobs: Six Ways The Amish Make Money](https://amishamerica.com/how-do-amish-make-money/): For much of their history, Amish have primarily been farmers. And many Amish still operate traditional family dairies today. But in recent years, it's become more difficult to purchase the land needed for dairy farming. The Amish population is rapidly growing, making land prices rise in many of their communities. As a result, Amish have moved
- [The Amish & Technology: Why They Restrict It](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-use-technology/): Amish do use modern technology - but often with restrictions & adaptations Many people believe the Amish reject all or most modern conveniences. Practices vary among groups, but many Amish do, in fact, use a good amount of modern tech. This may include devices like solar panels, diesel generator-powered laundry machines, and in some cases
- [Eight Common Amish Businesses](https://amishamerica.com/what-are-typical-amish-businesses/): Amish businesses range from mom-and-pop roadside stands, to large manufacturers selling products coast-to-coast and even overseas. Amish thrive in a number of key business sectors catering to both non-Amish and Amish customers. The following eight business types, commonly seen among Amish, fit the "Amish mold". Many of them are based on manual skills. And in
- [Plain Clothing: Why do Amish wear it?](https://amishamerica.com/why-do-the-amish-wear-plain-clothing/): One of the distinctive features of the Amish is their Plain clothing. Amish women are noted for their solid-colored dresses and head coverings. Amish men are easily recognized by their beards and suspenders. 6 Reasons why Amish dress "Plain" It's not in the Bible (not exactly) Related Groups who wear Plain clothing In Why Do
- [Shunning: Why do the Amish do it?](https://amishamerica.com/why-do-the-amish-practice-shunning/): Shunning is another term for church discipline. It is a religious practice fundamental to Amish identity. In healthy situations, the practice of shunning helps hold the Amish church together. Shunning is often seen as harsh by outsiders. It is also often misunderstood by non-Amish - as well as some Amish themselves. What is Shunning? Biblical
- [How Are Amish Communities Organized? (Church District vs. Settlement vs. Affiliation)](https://amishamerica.com/how-are-amish-communities-organized/): Amish church and community circles intersect and overlap in numerous ways. You may hear the three terms church district, settlement (or community), and affiliation. These refer to three distinct ways in which Amish society is ordered. But just what do these terms mean? 3 Ways That Amish Society is Organized Affiliation refers to Amish who
- [Amish & Phones: How They Use Landlines & Smartphones](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-use-telephones/): Amish use phones to communicate and do business - but restrict their use Amish are known to reject telephones in the home. But lately, the sight of Amish people on the phone - even using smartphones - is more and more common. Why do Amish restrict phones? How Amish use phones The Amish Phone Shanty
- [Amish Food: What do Amish eat?](https://amishamerica.com/what-do-amish-eat/): Amish people eat both homegrown and store-bought foods The Amish have a reputation for good food. Many tourist restaurants feature “Pennsylvania Dutch” and “Amish-style” cooking. Amish food typically is very filling - and not low-fat. Read on for more on the Amish diet. Home-grown Foods Amish Cooking Amish Baking Store-bought Foods Sunday Church Meal Eating
- [What Language Do Amish Speak? (3 Languages)](https://amishamerica.com/what-language-do-the-amish-speak/): Amish speak a version of German known as Pennsylvania German, or Pennsylvania Dutch. It has some similarities with dialects of German spoken in Europe today. This is their first language. Pennsylvania Dutch, as spoken by the Amish today, includes some English words. Accents, and manners of speaking Pennsylvania Dutch, can vary between Amish communities. Besides
- [How do Amish discipline children?](https://amishamerica.com/how-do-amish-discipline-children/): Amish children learn obedience from a young age Amish culture stresses obedience and submission. These characteristics are instilled in Amish children by their parents from a young age. In order to achieve this, Amish adhere to the “spare the rod, and spoil the child” admonition of Solomon. Spanking and corporal punishment are used to maintain
- [Amish Furniture - New Hampshire (4 Stores)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-furniture-new-hampshire/): A directory of Amish furniture in New Hampshire - Amish can't be found in New Hampshire, but their furniture can. A number of Granite State Amish furniture dealers provide access to Amish-made tables, chairs, desks, beds, cabinets, outdoor furniture, and much more. Residents of Manchester, Nashua, Concord, Dover, Derry Village, Rochester, and other New Hampshire
- [Do Amish People Use Banks?](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-use-banks/): The Amish Use Banks Regularly Amish use banks often to handle everything from making deposits to taking out business loans and mortgages. Amish often live in close proximity to small towns, giving them access to local bank branches. Banking, loans, and credit cards Amish will typically maintain checking and savings accounts, and use banks just
- [Can Amish leave and come back?](https://amishamerica.com/can-amish-leave-and-come-back/): Leaving the Amish: Two ways to do it Leaving before baptism Leaving after baptism How many Amish leave the church? One Amishman who returned Twenty years ago, Melvin Mullet chose to leave his Amish upbringing behind. In an interview several years later, he offered a little insight on how he sees the group, now that
- [Amish Furniture - California (20 Stores)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-furniture-california/): Amish furniture in California? Though their best-known community of Lancaster County lies 3,000 miles east, a number of Amish furniture outlets in California provide Amish furnishings and home decor for Golden State residents. Our directory lists twenty of them below, located from north to south across the state. Amish furniture ranges from bedrooms to children's furniture
- [What do Amish think about tourism?](https://amishamerica.com/what-do-amish-think-about-tourism/): Sightseers and vacationers flood Amish communities every summer Amish get a lot of attention from non-Amish America, with communities like Lancaster County and Holmes County, Ohio seeing millions of tourists yearly. Tourists bring clogged roads and often unwanted attention. They also bring dollars. One would think that the Amish would universally dislike the avalanche of
- [Do Amish Vote? Republican or Democrat?](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-vote/): Do Amish people vote for president? What about other elections? This question comes up every two-to-four years. And it has to do, in part, with Pennsylvania and Ohio - traditionally two important political swing states (and lately, mainly PA). They're also the states with the two largest Amish populations. Do Amish vote? Short answer: some
- [Where can I find an Amish auction?](https://amishamerica.com/where-can-i-find-an-amish-auction/): Auctions are popular among the Amish. They are a way to do business, socialize - and often to support a worthy cause. The Amish hold auctions throughout the year, with more occurring in the warmer months.  Mud Sales Mud sales are popular auctions organized by Amish in Lancaster County and its environs. Mud sales
- [Amish & The Bible: Do they read it? Which Bible do they use?](https://amishamerica.com/which-bible-do-the-amish-use/): Amish use both English and German-language Bibles. The Amish use the German Martin Luther Bible in church. For an English version, they typically use the King James translation, though some Amish may use the New International Version (NIV). The language which Amish speak, Pennsylvania German (aka Pennsylvania Dutch), is traditionally not a written tongue. However,
- [Why do Amish only go to school until 8th grade?](https://amishamerica.com/why-do-amish-only-go-to-school-until-8th-grade/): Amish schooling ends at eighth grade, but learning continues Most Amish children attend school in one- or two-room private schools, and end their formal education at the eighth grade. Some observers criticize the Amish approach to education, seeing it as a way of restricting the individual. Amish root their belief in limited formal education in
- [The Amish & Thanksgiving: How Do They Celebrate?](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-celebrate-thanksgiving/):  Like other Americans, Amish celebrate Thanksgiving each year on the fourth Thursday in November. It's one of many holidays and days of observance in the Amish calendar. Read on for more on how the Amish observe this special day. One of Many Amish Holidays A Day of Rest Amish Businesses Close (Mostly) Family Gatherings
- [The Amish, Smoking & Tobacco: Customs & Rules](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-smoke/): Smoking is seen in some Amish communities An Amishman with a cigarette dangling from his lips may seem an odd sight. But some Amish do accept smoking among their members. Short answer: Do the Amish smoke? Some Amish people do smoke cigars, pipes, and cigarettes. Some raise tobacco as a cash crop. But other Amish
- [Amish & Polygamy: Do They Practice It?](https://amishamerica.com/amish-polygamy/): Can Amish men have more than one wife? Can Amish women have more than one husband? The answer to both those questions is a resounding "no". And if you know the Amish, the answer might seem obvious here. But some people do wonder about this, and I have a couple of ideas as to why
- [About Us](https://amishamerica.com/about/): Amish America is an independent publication covering Amish news, life, and communities across North America, publishing original reporting, interviews, and cultural coverage since 2006. My name is Erik Wesner. No, I’m not Amish. But since 2004 I’ve been visiting Amish communities across America. Jump to: Who is Erik? | Publications & Media | Contact Info
- [Amish Women: Their Lives, Work & Roles. Are They Happy?](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-women-have-rights/): Are Amish women oppressed? Amish women do not take on the same roles as men in Amish society. This fact can disturb non-Amish observers of the culture. Amish people base their Christian communities on Biblical principles. This means a more traditional calling for women. But Amish women play a significant role in the Amish household
- [Are The Amish German? (Or Dutch?)](https://amishamerica.com/amish-german/): You may have heard the Amish described as "German". And confusingly - you may have also heard them called "Dutch". So - which is it? Or are they just "Americans"? The Old Order Amish (aka horse-and-buggy Amish) are just one of many flavors in the American Melting Pot. They're a people with roots in other
- [Do Amish Drink Coffee?](https://amishamerica.com/do-amish-drink-coffee/): Maybe you heard that the Amish don’t drink coffee? It’s not true! The Amish and coffee go together like peanut butter and jelly. Amish people enjoy a cup of coffee in a wide number of situations, including at breakfast, with dessert, at the after-church fellowship