Some of you might be familiar with the name Pioneer Equipment, the long-running Amish manufacturer of horse-drawn farm tools and wagons, based in Wayne County, Ohio. For decades, the Wengerd family operated what was the country’s largest producer of horse-powered machinery — serving Plain communities as well as a robust non-Amish market, in America and around the world, in fact. I haven’t spoken with them…
When you take the spartan exterior and simple furnishings of this Michigan Amish home together, “bare bones” certainly fits the bill. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a homey place to live. This is a pure Amish shop home if I ever saw one. From the outside it is very functional looking – unpainted metal siding. Inside there is a plain but (relatively) cozy Amish…
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Amish couple Ben and Rose have just put out a clip of a new song they are working on: “The Robin and The Eggs”. The clip is titled simply “The Robin And The Eggs – Ben & Rose Working On Some New Music”. As in the last teaser clip (“Dream of Me“), they are accompanied by producer Conrad Fisher on guitar and…
Let’s have a look inside an Amish home in the traditional community at Ellenboro, NC. But first – the Swartzentruber Amish came to North Carolina in 2015, becoming the second Amish community in NC (not second ever, but second at that time). Since then, the community seems to have grown a bit, but not at a very fast pace. When I visited there last year,…
Nestled in southern Middle Tennessee, Ethridge is home to one of the largest Old Order Amish communities in the South, with thousands of Amish residents. Known for its beautiful countryside and deeply traditional Amish lifestyle, Ethridge offers a peaceful and eye-opening getaway from the modern rush. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning for a deeper experience, here are 10 must-do activities that will give…
What we can learn from Plain thrift and homemaking wisdom When you think of Amish life, you might picture the obvious, external things like buggies, bonnets, and barns. But behind many Amish homes is something less visible: smart, steady financial stewardship—especially by the women who run the household. While the Amish man is ostensibly the “head” of the household, within the home, many if not…
On May 24th, many members of the Amish community gathered at a local farm in Gladwin County, Michigan for an auction. As you can see here, dozens of buggies waited as their owners handled their business at the community sale. Auctions are regular affairs in Amish settlements, and may take the form of estate auctions, farm sales, school funding events, or other benefits. Whatever the…
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…
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…
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…