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 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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A Windy Day At The Schoeneck Mud Sale (15 Photos)

A Windy Day At The Schoeneck Mud Sale (15 Photos)

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 by the gusts. I was there later in the afternoon…

Amish Ministers: How are they chosen? Why does no one want the job? (And More)

Amish Ministers: How are they chosen? Why does no one want the job? (And More)

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“ Do Amish spouses know who the other has nominated? Ben’s…

Lancaster Amish Country In Spring (23 Photos)

Lancaster Amish Country In Spring (23 Photos)

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 today. First off, mamma and foal. I came a little…

Inside A (Mostly Empty) Mississippi Amish Home (18 Photos)

Inside A (Mostly Empty) Mississippi Amish Home (18 Photos)

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. But when these photos were taken, the area (Pontotoc in…

Suspect In Drive-By Robbery Of Amish Teen Captured

Suspect In Drive-By Robbery Of Amish Teen Captured

Following yesterday’s report of a drive-by robbery of an Amish teen in Jackson County, Ohio, a suspect is behind bars. Good work by law enforcement and an unnamed local citizen: Authorities have successfully captured the suspect believed to be involved in the armed robbery of an Amish teen in Jackson County. The arrest came following intensive efforts by law enforcement, culminating in the apprehension of…

Propane & Kerosene In Amish Homes: Is It Safe?

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 answer in the video below. The types of fuel (and…

Ohio Amish Teen Robbed At Gunpoint; Search Is On For Dark Truck (UPDATE: Suspect Caught)

Ohio Amish Teen Robbed At Gunpoint; Search Is On For Dark Truck (UPDATE: Suspect Caught)

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. Dispatchers received a report just after 5:30 p.m. indicating that…

Inside A Small (1,028-Square-Foot) Amish Home (24 Photos)

Inside A Small (1,028-Square-Foot) Amish Home (24 Photos)

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 an Amish community which has been around since the early…

English Join Amish To Move Montana Man’s Garage (Video)

English Join Amish To Move Montana Man’s Garage (Video)

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 job done. They ended up with “more than 100” people….

150 Amish To Pick Up & Move Man’s Building Off Yellowstone River – For “Cookies”

150 Amish To Pick Up & Move Man’s 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 have 150+ people to get the job done. Amish moving…