Q&A with Milo Miller, Publisher of The Budget & The Diary (Book Giveaway)
Milo Miller is the Publisher of two publications widely-read in Amish circles – The Budget & The Diary. I had the pleasure of meeting Milo at his office for the first time on a visit to Sugarcreek, Ohio in 2019 (below photo). I asked Milo if he’d answer a few questions for us about The Budget and related topics, so I hope you enjoy this behind-the-scenes Q&A.
There is also a new book coming out that you can enter to win. It’s a neat book if you are someone who enjoys The Budget and the concept of Plain community correspondence writing in general. Called Who is Who in The Budget Volume III, the book is just what the title says – a compendium of Budget scribes. But it’s more than that, which Milo shares here a little later.
Win a copy of Who is Who in The Budget Volume III
To win a copy, simply leave a comment on this post. And just for my own curiosity, you could let us know if you’re already a Budget reader, or if you have read in the past. I’ll draw a winner at random and announce it here next week.
Milo G. Miller on The Budget & More
Amish America: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, what do you do at The Budget and how long have you been there?
Milo Miller: I am Milo G. Miller, Publisher of The Budget and The Diary. I have been a part of The Budget team for nearly 16 years, since 2005. I’ve been Publisher of The Budget since January 2018. I have been Publisher of The Diary since The Budget acquired it in August 2018.
The Publisher role oversees every aspect of the publication; from content, to human resources, to printing, to scheduling, to page layout along with day-to-day operations and long-term forecast and strategies. Essentially, I oversee every aspect of the publication.
I am a 2002 graduate of Kent State University. I live in beautiful Sugarcreek, Ohio with my wife, Kerry, along with our two dogs. I am originally from Anchorage, Alaska, but moved to Sugarcreek as a child and grew up and went to school in the community.
My paternal side of the family is from the Amish. My father was raised Amish in Sugarcreek, but never joined church. My grandfather, Milo M. Miller, was an Amish Bishop and was one of the founding members of the New Order movement. My heritage in the United States dates back to “Wounded” John Miller in the first organized Amish settlement in the Americas known as Northkill.
Amish America: What is working at The Budget like?
Milo Miller: I have my dream career; being the Publisher of The Budget! I could not imagine doing anything else. Every day is different and has its own set of unique opportunities. The Budget has a responsibility of being a vital communications link between the growing Plain Community settlements. We recognize the importance of this publication for the Anabaptist faith and we strive every day to ensure we provide the product that is needed and desired by our growing audience.
What makes The Budget unique? Why do people read it?
The Budget was first published on May 15, 1890, and is the first newspaper serving the Plain (Amish and Mennonite) Community. The Budget is a collection of reports (known as letters) from hundreds of Plain Community settlements across the Americas. We have over 1,000 “scribes” who send letters regularly (some weekly, others biweekly) with news from their community; weather, crops, births, weddings, funerals, interesting happenings, church news and much more.
The Budget audience, affectionately known as “Budgetland”, reads this weekly publication to stay updated on the happenings throughout the Plain Communities. While the Amish population is rapidly growing, the origin is rather small with many common ancestors. Many of our Anabaptist paths have crossed over the centuries, making this growing community feel like a small family.
Photo: Jim Halverson
Typically, Amish and Mennonite families are large and have expanded over the years to different areas. Many readers have family and friends in multiple settlements in different states. The Budget is the vehicle that allows them to connect with friends, families and strangers alike in other settlements. Our goal is to be their voice and their communications link.
What’s something people might not know about The Budget ?
Some people believe newspapers are a medium of the past, however The Budget circulation continues to grow. The future of The Budget is very bright and we look forward to publishing for many future generations.
Who are your scribes?
Our scribes represent Plain Community settlements throughout the Americas. We call them “scribes” because they are recording the happenings and history of their community. I believe they are journalists in the purest sense of the word; they are responsible to accurately, unbiasedly report the events from their settlement in a timely manner.
Who is your readership?
The Budget readership is mostly Amish and Mennonite readers throughout the United States. We also have strong readership in Plain Communities in Canada. There are “English” readers as well, but that is a small minority of our total circulation.
What’s your favorite part of your job? And least favorite, or most challenging?
My favorite part of the job is connecting with our readers, scribes and advertisers. Hearing how The Budget has impacted their lives, their families and their businesses.
Image: Kreuzfeld
While I don’t have a least favorite, there are challenging aspects to any career. The most challenging in our world are deadlines. Being a weekly publication, we work in tight windows to publish each week (on average The Budget is 68 pages each week). While The Budget is accustomed to these schedules and deadlines, we always need to be on the top of our game. Once an issue is published, we don’t take a break, we begin working on the next. Which keeps the entire Budget team sharp and ready for the next challenge.
Any interesting/funny/surprising stories from working at The Budget?
I think my favorite stories are from Budget scribes. Every day, I hear The Budget typesetters laughing at a humorous story from a letter, or giving an update on a situation that they have been following. While there are 1,000 scribes, they all seem like neighbors and friends. We follow their lives and their communities. It is very rewarding. It’s always an honor to meet scribes in person, because it feels like being reacquainted with a friend.
Another one of my favorite stories is when readers approach me at events and frequently ask me this question:
“Do you know why I am extremely popular?”
I ask “why?”
They respond “Because I get over 700 letters from friends each week in my mailbox, it’s called The Budget!”
I love this, because it shows the connection, impact and importance of The Budget in their lives. The readers become friends with scribes, many of whom they never met before, it is very special.
What is Who is Who in the Budget Volume III about? What do the first two volumes cover?
Who is Who in The Budget Volume III is a directory and stories of over 600 Budget scribes that represent Plain Communities throughout the Americas. Each of the entries include details of the scribe and information about the community they represent in The Budget . Volume III includes a never before published history of The Budget and the Ohio Scribe Gathering. The book will include reproduced, historic photos and front page covers. Budget friend and Executive Director of the Amish Mennonite Heritage Center, Marcus A. Yoder, crafted the foreword. The 8.5″ X 11″ directory will have 544 pages of information you will not get anywhere else.
Volume I (published in 2000) and Volume II (published in 2011) focused completely on the scribe and did not contain settlement information or a detailed history section. Volume III, the first edition published by The Budget, reads more like an interview with the scribe. It is a question and answer format. It is composed alphabetically by state and city for easy research. New to Volume III is the Epilogue. This contains over 30 pages of history of The Budget and the Ohio Scribe Gathering along photos and historic front page covers. Volume III is enhanced with information that I believe readers will find of great interest.
How can readers order The Budget and the book?
The easiest method for ordering The Budget and/or Who is Who in The Budget Volume III is by calling The Budget: 330.852.4634. We accept all major credit cards.
The Budget is $48 for a year (52 issues) or $88 for two years (104 issues).
Now through Friday, April 30, you can order Who is Who in The Budget Volume III at a discounted rate of $20 per book. Please add $5 for shipping per book. Ohio residents please add $1.35 sales tax per book. Beginning May 1, the book price will increase to $25.
Mail orders are also welcome for both The Budget and Who is Who in The Budget Volume III. Please make checks payable to The Budget and mail to: The Budget, PO Box 249, Sugarcreek, Ohio 44681.
A thank-you to Milo for giving us this closer look at the world of The Budget.
Thanks for this interesting post featuring the interesting interview with Milo Miller.
I am a long-time reader/subscriber to The Budget. I originally started reading it to keep in touch with news from several Amish/Plain Mennonite communities where I know people, but I soon began following several “scribes” letters from communities I have never visited. (“Scribes” is the term used for the letter writers from each local community). I think regular readers really get to know some of the scribes even though you my have never met them in person . Several have their own unique writing style and it is interesting to follow their news. When a long-time scribe is no longer sending letters to The Budget (due to their passing, becoming too frail to write, or just taking a break), their letters are really missed.
I don’t think Milo mentioned one of his and his staff’s main challenges from last year — much problem with delayed delivery of The Budget due to problems with the U. S. Postal System caused by various factors including the challenge of staffing due to COVID 19. Many subscribers (me included) did not receive any weekly copies for a few weeks, and then might receive two or three back issues in one week. Milo and his staff did a great job of addressing this challenge and Milo was in active contact with the postal system addressing this issue. Delivery seems to be pretty much back to normal now.
I’m grateful I was able to attend the 125th Anniversary celebration of The Budget held in Sugarcreek in August 2015. It was great to meet and visit with many scribes from several different states, share in delicious food, enjoy a concert by John Schmid and an enjoyable tour of The Budget Office conducted by the former National Edition editor, Fannie Erb-Miller. The Budget has two editions — the Local Edition with news about Sugarcreek and surrounding communities (lots of non-Amish news) and the National Edition with news from “Amish-Mennonite Communities Throughout the Americas”. I’m wondering how large the weekly edition of The Budget is going to get. Last week’s issue had 56 pages! The Budget has been described as “the most unique weekly newspaper in the U. S” and I totally agree. (I’ve already ordered my copy of “Who is Who” so don’t wish to be in the drawing).
Please include me in the Diary book giveaway. I have not subscribe to the Budget, but I love to read information about the Amish communities.
Thank you,
The giveaway
Erik,
Please include me in the book giveaway.
Terry
The giveaway
Hello,
That was such an interesting interview with Milo Miller.
I follow many authors that write stories about the Amish, and love reading all I can get my hands on..I knew about the Budget paper as it is always mentioned in the stories..Always wondered just what kind of articles were in the Budget..NOW I KNOW..lol..
I would really like to read one some day.. Sounds really interesting.
Yes, I would like to be considered in the drawing for the book “Who is Who in the Budget”..
Thank you Milo for a great interview.
Alberta
Budget & Giveaway
I had the pleasure of a year’s subscription to the Budget a few years ago – I’m in Spokane, WA and it was a highlight each week!
The Budget and The Diary
Thank you so much for this great article (and the others you do). I look forward to both The Budget and The Diary arriving. It’s been especially nice to read about others around the world when we’re restricted from traveling because of the pandemic. I had planned a trip to PEI last summer to visit the new plain communities, but couldn’t go with the US/Canada border being closed. Still, I could keep up with what was going on there with the help of the scribes in both publications! It was like a mini-vacation each time I read one of the letters. Please include me in the drawing.
Interesting Article
I’ve visited Sugar Creek many times and have noticed The Budget office before. I know that the Amish are using cell phones and computers more these days, but it’s so impressive that the Amish stay connected to each other this way.
The Budget And The Diary Giveaway
Please enter me in the giveaway
The Giveaway
I enjoyed the interview with Milo Miller. I have read The Budget in the past and intend to subscribe soon. Yes, I would like to be considered in the drawing for the book “Who is Who in the Budget. Barb Reiner
I want in
Please enter my name for this great giveaway
I purchased volume 1 at a small Old Order Amish store in Somerset County, PA where my ancestors are from, still many Old Order relatives I love to visit with on my trips north. Published geneology on John Stevanus.
My brother sits an reads The Budget every time one arrives. He likes to catch up on the births and deaths section. I am very plaed that I purchased a subscription for him. Very nice purchase indeed. Dawn.
The Budget and the book
Thank you for sharing this interview. Please enter me in the drawing.
Heil
Thank you
for the interesting read.
Whenever I am in Lancaster, I will pick up a copy of the Budget.
Who is Who in Budget
Thanks. Would love to have a copy.
The Budget
hanks for the interesting story. I like to read the Budget but do not have a subscription.
Please put my name in the hat
I was born at Pomerene Hospital in 1955 and grew up in Berlin, Ohio. I have been a longtime subscriber to Amish America and find it a great connection to my past. I’m surprised to hear that Milo was born Anchorage. I’m wondering if there is an Amish community there?
Never knew of the Budget and Diary!
I am a new follower to the Amish ways and never knew about the Budget or the Diary but will now be looking into it. It sounds like something I would thoroughly enjoy!
Interesting information
I have a few Amish friends from our Amish community closeby. I read a lot of Amish because I think it is interesting. Please consider me for this book. I also love Sugarcreek. It is nice seeing people respecting a better world.
The Budget
I have never read a copy of the budget but I’ve always wanted to! Thank you for including the information on subscribing. I think the publication and the book would both be very interesting!
Love
I’d love to read the Budget and the book.
Paper & Book
I sure would like to read both.
Thank you!
Such a lovely and interesting interview! I can’t imagine the stress that goes along with keeping up with a weekly newspaper. What a blessing to Plain communities to have that mutual connection. Thanks for sharing!
Love the Budget
I always pick up a copy of the Budget when I visit northern Indiana or the Ohio Amish communities. Would love a subscription. Maybe a Mother’s Day gift? Hint, hint.
Thank you
Thank you for this article. Sounds very interesting and I may try it out sometime!
Budget subscriber because the plain communities are my good neighbors
I would appreciate being in the drawing for the book. I am. Budget subscriber and reader. I follow several communities because I live in the midst of the Plain communities. They are my good neighbors.
Brilliant book!
Such an interesting book! Would love to have one!
Book giveaway
Would love to read the book. Please include me in the drawing.
I enjoy reading the Pathway publications and have seen the Budget.
The Budget
I’ve read the Die Botschaft but haven’t read the The Budget. I wonder if they are similar? Interesting article from Milo. Please enter me in the drawing for Who is Who in the Budget!
When I get down to Amish country in Indiana, I always buy a Budget and really enjoy reading about communities all over the country. Some of the scribes are such good writers and make you feel like you know the people you are reading about. One of my favorite parts is the requests for cards and $1 showers for ill, injured and others who need cheering up, it’s such a good idea and a way to be a blessing to others.
The Budget
I always enjoy reading ‘The Budget’ when I am over there and one of my favourite mugs for my morning coffee was a giveaway by The Budget, it’s blue and white with The Budget written on it and a logo of a horse & buggy . I bought it second-hand at an Amish man’s yard sale several years ago.
Phenomenal!
These newspapers are sociological phenomena, and serve a huge purpose in providing cohesion and solidarity in an otherwise quite loosely organized and widespread faction of society.
response to reading the Budget
I am originally from Mi. I now live in the Netherlands. My parents and all of their families were Amish. I am also descended from Wounded John. I am descended at least 6 different ways from Jacob Hochstetter. I wasn’t raised Amish. An aunt of mine read the Budget and I loved reading about the different events that the Amish would attend and their visiting each other. Whenever I am visiting in America where there are Amish, I make sure I buy a Budget. I read it from the beginning to the end.
greetings from the Netherlands
I’ve read several Budget newspapers and have even been in the Budget office, but I just dont ha vf e bv tg time to sit down to read a paper very often. Maybe someday when I retire.
Looking forward to reading this book, however I might get one.
Please include me!
Hello….I love reading the budget from way over here in Australia! I would absolutely LOVE to win this “who is who” book! Please include me into the book giveaway!
Book give away
Thank you for your informative Amish America articles. I do not subscribe to The Budget but I have read it from time to time and enjoyed it. I would love to have the new book.
NEVER HEARD OF THE BUDGET.
Very Interesting
Hi I am not a subscriber to The Budget, but I am very interested in it. I do subscribe to Die Botschaft and enjoy all the stories I read in there!
Thank you for the interesting info you supply!
Lisa Meaney
The Budget is highly sought after reading in our local bank waiting area.
Who is Who in the Budget Vol. 3
I am not a subscriber to the Budget and have bought issues.
Budget
I always pick up a copy of the Budget on my annual trip to Shipshewana. I love to read it slowly so it lasts….maybe I should consider subscribing Unfamiliar with the Diary..will need to look into that for sure and for certain. Please enter my name in the drawing. I am sure whoever’s going to win will be truelly blessed by the book. Thank you!
Guten Tag
Not a Budget reader, but would like to be.
Very informative
I enjoy reading the Budget.
The articles I read from the scribes are always interesting.
I recently liked the comments about Covid-19 and it’s effect on the Amish and Mennonite communities.
The Diary Book Giveaway
I have read the budget and I love the recipes Please enter me in the contest I Love reading!
Not a reader of The Budget. Have read a little in the past. Articles like this have me thinking about subscribing.
Milo Miller and The Budget
Thank you for Mr. Miller’s interesting and informative article.
I’m a long time subscriber of The Budget and keep up on the friends communities I’ve visited there, as well as the great recipes in Cooking with Maudie.
I’d love to win a copy of tbe book and thank you for the opportunity.
Sincerely
The Budget
I would love to see & read this!! will have to check it out. Have never seen it.
please enter me in the giveaway i have always wanted to read the budget but haven’t been able to both look very interesting! Thanks!
Great book
Looks like a great and very interesting book. We pick up a copy of the Budget several times a year when we visit Sugarcreek, always enjoy!
It's almost like being home
Years ago my father had a paint store in downtown Lancaster and would deliver purchases to Amish customers. Thus, we were blessed to have Amish acquaintances. I enjoy stories about these gentle people. I had heard about The Budget and have purchased it on trips back home. Of course, especially interested in stories from Lancaster area but was surprised by the worldwide coverage. Please enter me in the drawing.
Book giveaway
When we visit the Amish country in Ohio we always make it a point to pick up a Budget. Looking forward to winning a book.
Thanks for your work.