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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This Amish Buggy For Disabled Riders Has A Solar-Powered Lift

This Amish Buggy For Disabled Riders Has A 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, getting him in and out of a standard buggy has…

“We Are Not Targeting The Amish” — Township Delays Vote Banning Steel Wheel Buggies After Packed Meeting

“We Are Not Targeting The Amish” — Township Delays Vote Banning Steel Wheel Buggies After Packed Meeting

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 Amish community – which they apparently never did (more on…

The Amish Rarely Settle In This Southern State — Now It’s Getting A Second Community

The Amish Rarely Settle In This Southern State — Now It’s Getting A 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. At least one family, and possibly more, has already moved…

Thousands of Amish Turn Out For Ohio “Family Farm Field Days” (13 Photos)

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 viable living for a family, whether they’re working hundreds of…

This Amish Training Center Helps Open Doors For Community Members With Special Needs

This Amish Training Center Helps Open Doors For Community Members With 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 Farmers of America cheese plant, the 15 Amish clients do…

Crime Stoppers Seek Hit-and-Run Pickup Driver Who Injured Amish Man & His Horse

Crime Stoppers Seek Hit-and-Run Pickup Driver Who Injured Amish Man & His 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 driver of a blakc pickup truck towing a white trailer…

5 Things You Should Never Say To An Amish Person (Or Should You?)

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 use” or “The 15 largest Amish communities”. Often enough, the…

Amish Take “Very Rare” Public Action — But This $6.4 Million Matter Is An Exception

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 story back in January, when we learned the Amish were…

New Law Aimed At Amish Community Would Ban Steel Wheel Buggies, Require Manure Cleanup

New Law Aimed At Amish Community Would 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 Bedford Township is drawing scrutiny ahead of a vote scheduled…

13-Year-Old Amish Girl Killed in Wisconsin Buggy Crash — Despite Lights, Reflective Vest, and Slow-Moving Vehicle Sign

13-Year-Old Amish Girl Killed in Wisconsin Buggy Crash — Despite Lights, Reflective Vest, and Slow-Moving Vehicle 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 struck her horse and buggy from behind on Highway 58….