The Amish Grew By 100,000 The Past Decade: 2017 Population Estimates

ByErik Wesner
12 Comments

The Young Center at Elizabethtown College now has estimates available for the Amish population in 2017. Amish are currently found in 31 states, three Canadian provinces, and two South American countries (Argentina and Bolivia). You’ll find the population overview here. You can view state/province/country figures here. One new addition this year: interactive maps showing the population in each state and province. You’ll also find a list of the 12…

An Amish Couple Discuss the Role of Women (Audio)

ByErik Wesner
8 Comments

“I believe God made us equal. But with that said, I believe there is a headship order also.” In this brief audio interview (~3 min) Amish couple Ivan and Ruth Chupp of Burr Oak, Michigan discuss the roles of women and men in the Amish church. Ivan starts by describing Amish beliefs on headship and the woman’s role in church, with Ruth adding some comments at the…

Amish Farms of Holmes County (18 Photos)

Amish Farms of Holmes County (18 Photos)

ByErik Wesner
18 Comments

It’s been awhile since we’ve had a nice photo post. Today reader Frank Trestka shares a set of shots from visits to Holmes County, Ohio. So enjoy some beautiful summer views of one of my favorite Amish communities. These were taken in June. I’ve added my own comments along with a couple of anecdotes from Frank. This might be my favorite shot of the bunch (well…

High German vs. Pennsylvania German In Conversation (Video)

ByErik Wesner
12 Comments

How different are High German and the everyday language of the Amish*, Pennsylvania German (aka Pennsylvania Dutch)? In today’s video, a High German speaker converses with three Amish people – first Menno Petersheim of Shipshewana, IN, then Ivan and Ruth Chupp of Burr Oak, MI. You can see how well they are able to understand one another, and follow along thanks to the English subtitles. The…

“Amish Atheist” Keeps Lifestyle After Leaving Faith & Community (Video)

ByErik Wesner
17 Comments

You might recall the story of Kenneth Copp, a Pentecostal-raised man who joined the Amish and was last living in the Unity Amish community in Maine. We previous looked at the Copp bakery and furniture shop in a post from a reader who visited the family (Visiting the Unity, Maine Amish Settlement). Things have changed in Kenneth Copp’s life since that post appeared in 2013. Bangor Daily…

Why Are Amish Building RVs?

Why Are Amish Building RVs?

ByErik Wesner
4 Comments

Did you know that Amish in one community are heavily involved in building luxury recreational vehicles? According to one source, “more than 80 percent of global RV production is based throughout the region”, the region being northern Indiana. This includes the 3rd-largest Amish community, at Elkhart and Lagrange Counties, along with the sizeable next-door Nappanee settlement. While that 80%-plus feels like it could be a bit…

Amos Hertzler Benefit Auction Draws Thousands

ByErik Wesner
4 Comments

Longtime readers might recall the story of Amos Hertzler, an Amish boy in Cattaraugus County, NY who was born with a serious esophageal condition in addition to having Down Syndrome. We first heard of this case in 2011 when Amos was just a one-year-old. Amos hasn’t appeared in the news much lately from what I’ve been able to find, which you’d assume to be a…

Amish Dairies Unhappy Over “Big Organic” Milk Practices

ByErik Wesner
14 Comments

Most Amish farmers are conventional farmers. But organic farming has taken off in some communities over the past decade or two despite some practical and cultural roadblocks. One of those communities is the Kalona, Iowa settlement, where today you’ll find over 90 certified organic operations, described in a recent Washington Post article as “one of the densest clusters of organic farms in the United States.” Amish…

Samuel Girod Sentenced To 6 Years In Prison

ByErik Wesner
37 Comments

Amish salve-maker Samuel Girod received his sentence Friday: LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A federal judge sentenced a Bath County Amish farmer to six years in prison on Friday morning. A federal jury handed down guilty verdicts against Samuel Girod in March for misbranding products. After serving six years, Girod will have three years of supervised release. He must also refrain from producing and manufacturing products…

An Update on the Camels of Lancaster County (And One More Odd Beast)

An Update on the Camels of Lancaster County (And One More Odd Beast)

ByErik Wesner
13 Comments

Since at least 2013, one Lancaster County Amish farm has been home to a herd of camels, roaming fields where one might otherwise expect a different sort of four-legged beast. But what in the world are Arabian dromedaries doing on an Amish farm in Lancaster County? From the original AP report: Camel’s milk has arrived in Lancaster County, courtesy of Little Bit, Twila and their herd,…