Author: Erik Wesner

Erik Wesner is the creator of amishamerica.com, and author of Success Made Simple: An Inside Look At Why Amish Businesses Thrive. Erik began visiting Amish communities in 2004 – eventually meeting thousands of Amish families while selling books.

He began writing about the Amish on this website in 2006, and is often cited in national media, including USA Today, The New York Times, and others on a wide range of Amish topics. A native of North Carolina, Erik has visited dozens of Amish communities across the country, and loves spending time with Amish friends and discovering new Amish places.

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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

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

ByErik Wesner

Daryl Heller, the Lancaster County businessman whose ATM investment network drew money from Amish and Mennonite families 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 figure could be zero. Charged In September 2025 This…

State Of Indiana Shuts Down Amish Acres For Fire Safety Violations

State Of Indiana Shuts Down Amish Acres For Fire Safety Violations

ByErik Wesner
3 Comments

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 prohibiting anyone from entering. Sold, Rebranded, Then Sold Again Amish…

A Visit To The Amish Of Prince Edward Island, Canada (16 Photos)

A Visit To The Amish Of Prince Edward Island, Canada (16 Photos)

ByErik Wesner
6 Comments

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 voice from behind a thin blue curtain invited us inside—a…

Six Ejected In Rear-End Crash — In Pennsylvania County Where Buggy Ban Failed

Six Ejected In Rear-End Crash — In Pennsylvania County Where Buggy Ban Failed

ByErik Wesner
3 Comments

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 the intersection with Younts Road, in East St. Clair Township….

“Authentically Themselves”: Ben & Rose Have Turned Down Record Deals, Never Given An Interview

“Authentically Themselves”: Ben & Rose Have Turned Down Record Deals, Never Given An Interview

ByErik Wesner
1 Comment

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 of song releases since. A profile from LancasterOnline published ahead of…

“People Spoke, They Don’t Want It” — Amish Rest Easier After Steel Wheel Buggy Ban Scrapped

“People Spoke, They Don’t Want It” — Amish Rest Easier After Steel Wheel Buggy Ban Scrapped

ByErik Wesner
2 Comments

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 a sign posted on the door telling them the matter…

An Amish School Auction 7,500 Feet Up In Colorado (16 Photos)

An Amish School Auction 7,500 Feet Up In Colorado (16 Photos)

ByErik Wesner

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 Jara Amish School Consignment Auction, held each July in Conejos…

Michigan Officials: Our Amish Should Be Able To Vote Without Photo ID

Michigan Officials: Our Amish Should Be Able To Vote Without Photo ID

ByErik Wesner
8 Comments

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 might get there, though – if the balance of power…

New From Mike & Marty: “Vision of Mother”

New From Mike & Marty: “Vision of Mother”

ByErik Wesner

“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 theme they’ve gone to twice in a short period now….

18-Wheeler Destroys Amish Buggy On Tennessee Highway — Everyone Survives

18-Wheeler Destroys Amish Buggy On Tennessee Highway — Everyone Survives

ByErik Wesner
2 Comments

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 writes: I need someone with a horse trailer to help…