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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Digital Detox: 7 Ways the Amish Harness Tech – for More Peace and a Happier Life

Digital Detox: 7 Ways the Amish Harness Tech – 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 new invention into their lives, Amish communities pause, evaluate, and…

Young Amish Man Killed In Buggy Rear-End Crash (Wisconsin)

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 serious crash on USH 10 east of Maertz Road, in…

Inside A West Virginia Amish Home (20 Photos)

Inside A West Virginia Amish Home (20 Photos)

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 it is an interesting style – low-profiled, and very long…

Holmes County: 10 Must-Try Amish Baked Goods (And Where To Find Them)

Holmes County: 10 Must-Try Amish Baked Goods (And Where To Find Them)

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 Amish-style bakeries and restaurants throughout the community. Whether you’re a…

11 Tasty Amish-Style Cinnamon Recipes You Need to Try

11 Tasty Amish-Style Cinnamon Recipes You Need to Try

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) like home. ~Article created with AI assistance 1. Amish Cinnamon…

Sheriff: Growing Concern Over “Large Amish Youth Underage Drinking Parties” (Northern Indiana)

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 all the Amish youth in the community). But to take…

Amazing: New York Amish Move Barn By Hand (Aerial View)

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 men. The move happened just a couple of weeks ago…

Cranston Convicted For Murders Of Rebekah Byler & Her Unborn Child: Guilty On All Counts

Cranston Convicted For Murders Of Rebekah Byler & Her Unborn Child: Guilty On All Counts

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 in the murder of Rebekah Byler and her unborn child. Rebekah…

Twin Sister Who Hit Buggy While On Meth, Killing Two Amish Girls, Will Serve A Maximum Of Four Years – Or Maybe Just One Year

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 a buggy in a September 2023 crash in Fillmore County,…

Amish Mother Murder Trial – Day Three: Inmate Says Cranston Confessed To Him In Jail (UPDATED: Testimony Complete; Jury Now Deliberating)

Amish Mother Murder Trial – Day Three: Inmate Says Cranston Confessed To Him In Jail (UPDATED: Testimony Complete; Jury Now Deliberating)

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 recaps of Trial Day One and Day Two. Some of…