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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New Ben & Rose Short: “Stroll Over Heaven”

New Ben & Rose Short: “Stroll Over Heaven”

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 Over Heaven’ at Ragamuffin Hall”. Sounds like another lovely tune….

Two-Year-Old Amish Girl Dies in Lancaster County Tractor Accident

Two-Year-Old Amish Girl Dies in 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. King, of Gordonville, died Saturday on the 300 block of…

6 Of The Most Ridiculous Things In “Suddenly Amish”

6 Of The Most Ridiculous Things In “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 it – and the idea that it may not be…

Inside An Amish Home With One Eyebrow-Raising Detail (17 Photos)

Inside An Amish Home With 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 the text) raise an eyebrow 🙂 More on that below…

Semi Driver Taken Into ICE Custody in Fatal Crash That Killed Four Amish, Including Father and Two Sons (Updated)

Semi Driver Taken Into ICE Custody in Fatal Crash That Killed Four Amish, Including Father and Two Sons (Updated)

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 (ICE). As reported by WANE 15, “Indiana State Police emphasized…

An Amish Winter Trip Gone Wrong (Part 3): Everything Starts Going Wrong

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 the time I finished packing, there were bags lined up…

Four Amish men killed after semi slams into “Amish taxi” van head-on

Four Amish men killed after semi slams into “Amish taxi” van head-on

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 people to and from work, the store, and longer-distance…

Amish Community Steps In to Help After Ashtabula County Home Destroyed by Fire (Ohio)

Amish Community Steps In to Help After Ashtabula County Home Destroyed by 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 crews Tuesday, clearing the site of the home to prepare…

Inside an Amish Ice Harvest: A Rare Look at a Timeless Tradition

Inside an Amish Ice Harvest: A Rare Look at a 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 (Oxford County). What really makes the piece are the excellent…

“I’m Truly Sorry”: Man Sentenced To Time Served & House Arrest for Amish Store Burglaries — and Burning Down a Church

“I’m Truly Sorry”: Man Sentenced To Time Served & House Arrest for Amish Store Burglaries — and Burning Down a 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 causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage. Now comes…