Each year, Lancaster County welcomes more than 8 million tourists, and many of them are traveling here to experience what is now known as Amish Country. Visiting Lancaster means something different to locals than it does to tourists. Locals use “Lancaster” to refer to the city of Lancaster, while tourists…

Beliefs vary slightly among Amish communities, some leaning towards more disciplined approaches to their religion and culture, and some allowing for more liberties with things, but the vast majority of their beliefs remain the same. Values like respecting family, loving one another, working hard, and honoring the Bible are beliefs…

The core Amish values are to lead a simple life of faith. The Amish believe that their religious faith and the way they choose to live are interdependent. These core beliefs lead to a very strong set of values of faith, family, community, and a simple unworldly life. In this…

If you’ve visited or live near Lancaster County, you know that farming plays an important role in our economy. In the summer and fall months, it’s not unusual to pass several Amish road-side stands as you travel through PA Dutch Country. Most Lancastrians love summer because it means fresh strawberries…

Many people assume that all Amish are farmers, selling their produce at a roadside stand or in a local market. While farming is still a primary way of life for the Amish, the opportunities for Amish-run businesses have expanded in recent years. Today, many Amish have transitioned to non-agricultural means…

Many people think that an Amish lifestyle consists of all work and no play. However, that’s not entirely true — the Amish believe in hard work and resting well! Once all of their daily chores are done, there is time to relax and enjoy some leisure activities. However, compared to…

Summer is almost here! For most kids, that means sleeping in, beach vacations, extra screen time, playing with friends at parks, and swimming at the local pool. But for Amish children, their summers look much different. In this blog, we explore what a typical day looks like for Amish children…

The family fun doesn’t have to stop just because school is back in session. With many students learning in hybrid or remote formats, educational daytrips are gaining traction as parents look for new ways to keep kids engaged and entertained while navigating our new educational and social model. Adding an educational…

Springtime brings new life in Amish Country. You can see it across the county as Amish farmers prepare their fields for new crops. Amish boys and girls might start shedding their shoes and walking around barefoot as the weather warms. Mud sales start up, giving people a chance to bid…

One of the staples in the Plain Community is preserving food into the winter months when the garden is no longer producing and the harvest has long since been collected. For generations, Amish families have prepared for the winter and spring seasons by canning, a method by which they seal…