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 Song: “When You Say Nothing At All”

New Ben & Rose Song: “When You Say Nothing At All”

Amish Country music couple Ben and Rose are back with a new cover: “When You Say Nothing At All”. This is a more modern-feeling country song and more along the lines of a soft ballad. The video description tells us that it “was written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz and most famously sung by Allison Krauss.” In the video, it’s Rose singing lead… …with…

Buggy Shopping (17 Photos)

Buggy Shopping (17 Photos)

Most of us have been to a car lot or two in our days, whether buying a new or used auto. This neat photo set shows us the Amish equivalent – a “buggy lot” with many dozens of horse-drawn vehicles for sale. This little photo set is courtesy of Jim Halverson, taken in northern Indiana. The event was the Honeyville Consignment Sale at Yoder’s Auction…

Buggy Crash Twin Sentenced: 3 Months In Jail For Identity-Swapping Scheme

Buggy Crash Twin Sentenced: 3 Months In Jail For Identity-Swapping Scheme

In February, we got news that Sarah Beth Petersen had pled guilty. She had been accused of trying to take the fall for her twin sister Samantha Petersen. Authorities allege Samantha was the one actually driving in an accident which claimed two Amish children’s lives in 2023. Sarah Beth Petersen received her sentence Monday. From the Minnesota Star-Tribune: A 37-year-old woman was sentenced to three…

Amish Robbed at Gunpoint: Suspect Targets Two Buggies In PA Community

Amish Robbed at Gunpoint: Suspect Targets Two Buggies In PA Community

Buggies on the road make seemingly easy targets for armed robbers. But often enough, they end up getting caught. That might be bad news for a suspect who has been targeting Amish buggies in northwestern Pennsylvania. From WFMJ: A 30-year-old man from Mercer told police that a small black sedan stopped in front of his buggy. A male suspect, described as a white male wearing…

Freak Accident: High Winds Blow Over Amish Buggy; One Person Killed

Freak Accident: High Winds Blow Over Amish Buggy; One Person Killed

Tragic and shocking accident in northern Indiana. From WNDU: ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. (WNDU) – One person is dead after National Weather Service officials say strong winds blew over an Amish buggy in Elkhart County. According to NWS, it happened somewhere on State Road 13 near Millersburg during Sunday’s outbreak of severe weather. Details remain limited at this time and the death is being reported in…

The Amos Miller Raw Milk Story: A Closer Look

The Amos Miller Raw Milk Story: A Closer Look

There’s a new deep-dive story providing more layers to the Amos Miller raw milk saga, by Bethany Rodgers of USA Today. There are a lot of interesting insights here – and views from “both sides” of the issue. I recommend reading the whole thing (link at bottom). Here are some highlights, along with my comments. The Power of Amos Miller’s Products About people’s passion for…

Amish Girl Killed In (Another) Michigan Crash; Driver Arrested For “Suspected Substance Use”

Amish Girl Killed In (Another) Michigan Crash; Driver Arrested For “Suspected Substance Use”

From WWMT: VAN BUREN COUNTY, Mich. — A young girl is dead and a boy is in critical condition after a buggy crash. A 31-year-old Mattawan woman was arrested for “suspected substance use” after she rear-ended an Amish buggy on County Road 215 and 60th Avenue Wednesday, killing an 8-year-old girl and critically injuring a 12-year-old boy who were both passengers in the buggy, according…

Amish Step Up To Help English Neighbors After Tornado Strike

Amish Step Up To Help English Neighbors After Tornado Strike

The community is Parke County, Indiana (Rockville). Amish here decided to help their neighbors in need following a recent tornado strike. From WTWO 2: ROCKVILLE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Last Saturday morning, an EF1 tornado hit Parke County including the residence of John Cole and his family. The damages include the destruction of a more than 125-year-old barn, destruction of another building that also totaled the…

Ben & Rose: “If Teardrops Were Pennies” (Amish Country Music)

Ben & Rose: “If Teardrops Were Pennies” (Amish Country Music)

Amish Country Music Couple Ben & Rose are back with a fresh new release, their first since last month’s “Would You Like To Buy Some Flowers“. This one is called “If Teardrops Were Pennies” (video at end of post). This is another tune, like “Circle of Love“, previously recorded by Dolly Parton. This one was written by Carl and Pearl Butler. The video description tells…

Amish Toddler Perishes In Farm Accident

Amish Toddler Perishes In Farm Accident

From Lancaster Online: A Leacock Township toddler was killed in a farming accident over the weekend, according to an obituary published Monday. Martha G. King, 16 months old, died Saturday afternoon after emergency crews were called to a location near 113 Horseshoe Road for a report of a cardiac arrest. Emergency calls provided no other details about what was happening at the scene. The Lancaster…