GEOG301 Report SCREEN

AMISH TOURISM IN LANCASTER COUNTYSuggestions for Sustaining Culture and Profit

Suggestions for Sustaining Culture and ProfitAMISH TOURISM IN LANCASTER COUNTY

Assessment team: Doran Tucker, Judy Smith, Zixuan Huang, Dara Lewis, Hongli Wang, Andrew Brown

Prepared by:

Prepared for:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

BACKGROUND

TOURISM & THE AMISH

RECOMMENDATIONS

CONCLUSION

4

10

16

26

32

Contents

4 | Executive Summary

AMISH TOURISM IN LANCASTER COUNTY | Prepared by Geotech, LLC | 5

Executive SummarySince the 1950s the Amish have been a major tourist attraction, bringing in tens

of billions of dollars across the country. Nowhere is the importance of Amish

tourism more apparent than in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania – the iconic

home of the ‘Plain People’. GeoTech was commissioned in January 2016 by the

Pennsylvania Department of Economic Development and the Lancaster County

Tourism Board to research if Amish centered tourism in Lancaster had any

impacts on Amish communities.

8.2mTourist visits

in 2014

$1.95bAmish-related tourism income

in 2014

24kJobs generated from tourism in Lancaster


Our research has indicated that the Amish do not feel objectified by tourism. Indeed, their most sig-

nificant reaction to the tourists that come from across the country and the world to see them is a slight

bewilderment and curiosity as to why the ‘English’ (as the Amish call non-Amish groups) find the

Amish so fascinating.

What does have a significant impact on the Amish is the increase in land prices that is associated with

the tourism. Because of these higher land prices, the Amish in highly touristed areas must cope with

the increased cost of living and in many cases this leads to an increasing number of Amish working in

non-agricultural vocations like construction, welding, retail, cleaning, and Amish tourist industries

such as quilt-making and building wooden furniture. The problem with this diversification of the

Amish economy relates to the religion of the Amish, which holds that farming is the godliest profes-

sion and that it is ideal for the Amish to work the land.

An essential aspect of the project has been looking for the balance point where

the Amish community remains healthy, which we suggest requires that the

Amish themselves are satisfied with life in Lancaster while also allowing for

the continued economic benefits of Amish centered tourism. The metric that

we have used to demonstrate the health of the Amish communities in Lan-

caster is their population. We have drawn this data from two sources: the

estimates of the total Amish population of Lancaster from the Young Center

for Amish Studies, we have also used Amish school enrollment data from the

Pennsylvania Department of Education.

34kAmish living in

Lancaster County

41%Lancaster farmland owned by Amish




The best way to ensure the continued prosperity of Amish centered tourism is to keep the price of farmland

low so that the Amish do not face as much financial pressure to abandon farming as a livelihood.

With this perspective in mind we suggest that

the best way to ensure the continued prosper-

ity of Amish centered tourism is to keep the price

of farmland low so that the Amish do not face as

much financial pressure to abandon farming as a

livelihood.

PRIMARY RECOMMENDATIONOur suggestion for achieving this goal is by sup-

porting the Lancaster County Comprehensive plan

that has been in place since 2006. One of the key

elements of Lancaster’s plan is an effort to manage

sprawling development, especially in cases where it

influences the rural landscape of the county. There

are several elements to the plan however; namely,

it supports easements that have thus far proved

successful in significantly reducing the price of

farmland in Lancaster.

LONG-RANGE PLANNINGOur additional recommendation is that as the cur-

rent Lancaster county comprehensive plan is only

set to guide the county until 2030, another report

should be commissioned as the next plan begins

to be organized. This next report should look at

whether our suggested policies have been proven to

be successful in both maintaining Amish centered

tourism and the health of the Amish community

in Lancaster. If these goals have been achieved we

suggest continuing the policies through the period

of the next comprehensive plan. If there has been

a significant decline in the Amish population or

revenue from Amish tourism the future report

will be able to make recommendations for poli-

cies that will reflect the situation in Lancaster and

new information about what relations might exist

between the Amish and tourism.

10 | Background

BackgroundIn the eastern United States, it is common to see the Amish going about their

daily lives in drab clothing and utilizing horse and buggies as their primary

means of transportation. They frequent farmers’ markets where they sell their

goods created without machines or modern technology.

The Amish often can be the reason for traffic jams on country roads as their

buggies are usually at a maximum of two horsepower. Some may admire or

envy their simplistic life. Others marvel at their choice to avoid certain com-

monplace technologies. Regardless of the reason though, the Amish are a

distinct point of interest for many. This is especially true in Pennsylvania and

more precisely, Lancaster County.


Lancaster County is at the center of Amish

culture and not just because it is one of the

most populated Amish counties in the coun-

try. Lancaster County was the first permanent

settlement for many Amish when they arrived in

the United States from Europe. They seek to lead

their lives in a simple way and stray away from

mainstream society in the United States. The

Amish are a community isolated from the fast

paced life many Americans lead today and they

seek to keep it that way.

Today, the Amish reside in over thirty US states

with the vast majority in Illinois, Ohio and

Pennsylvania. They reside in rural areas where

they can thrive on fertile farmland. As shown

on the map, Lancaster is the most populated

Amish county in Pennsylvania with the highest

amount of Amish Ministers. The combination of

a rural area and excellent soil beckon the Amish

to this area. While Amish populations fluctuate

naturally, Lancaster County has remained the

same size while the Amish continue to migrate

west and south.

Many people are aware of whom the Amish are

and what they look like, but they are not aware of

their history, religion or way of life. The Amish

are a unique group of people who have a deep

culture and a long history. They adhere to their

way of life that has transcended time and crossed

thousands of miles to where they are today.

HISTORY OF THE AMISHThe Amish are a branch of Christians dating back

to the sixteenth century Protestant Reforma-

tion in Europe. They descend from Anabaptists,

which means one who has been baptized twice.

The first baptism occurs as an infant in Catho-

lic or Protestant churches and then again as an

adult. The Anabaptists believed baptism should

signify a voluntary adult decision to follow Jesus

rather than infant baptism like in the Catho-

lic and Protestant churches. The Anabaptists

highlighted literal interpretations of the bible

and followed scriptures word for word. They were

also one of the first religious groups to promote

a separation of church and state. This did not sit

well with Catholic and Protestant leaders and

over the next hundred years after the sixteenth

century, many Anabaptists were persecuted.

Over this period, around 2,500 Anabaptists were

executed due to their beliefs. This led to the Ana-

baptists being dispersed across Europe in small

secretive groups for fear of persecution.

The Anabaptists separation continued until 1693

when many came together under the guidance

of Jakob Ammann, who noticed the Anabaptist

12 | Background

movement was failing. He sought to revital-

ize it by leading of a new group called the Swiss

Anabaptists that later came to be known as the

Amish. Ammann set strict guidelines to follow

that included plain dress and to never trim the

beards of men. He also advocated for shunning

excommunicated members. Shunning is the

act of completely ignoring someone who goes

against the beliefs of the community that is still

followed by the Amish today. The use of shun-

ning drove a divide between his followers and

other Anabaptists. The Swiss Anabaptists con-

tinued to follow Ammann’s guidelines and even-

tually, in the eighteenth century, after adopting

the Amish as their name, migrated to the United

States and settled in twenty states and Ontario,

Canada. The vast majority settled in Lancaster

County, Pennsylvania.

WAY OF LIFEThe Amish seek to lead their daily lives as Jesus

Christ would. They do this by loving their en-

emies, forgiving insults and giving mutual aid

when others are in need. Their primary teachings

are those presented in the Gospel of Matthew:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righ-

teousness,

for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of

righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The last two lines are especially true for the

Amish as their faith is shaped by a martyr tradi-

tion. Many of their Amish forbears died for their

faith in the sixteenth century by refusing to

change their way of life. In addition to this, the

Amish faith is shaped by the hymns of the Aus-

bun, which are still sung by Amish congregations

today. Many of the hymns from the Ausbun were

written by victims of the Anabaptist persecution.

Amish society can be summed up in the Ger-

man word Gelassenheit (Gay-la-sen-hite) which

translates roughly to, “yielding oneself to a

higher authority.” Gelassenheit embodies Amish

beliefs where they believe everything they have

is due to God’s will. The Amish believe in “Us”

before “Me.” This includes loathing pride and

anything where an individual is seeking at-

tention. The Amish stress humility and this is

achieved by banning makeup, fancy clothes,

jewelry or anything that will make someone

standout. Along with humility comes obedience.

The Amish are expected to yield to the authority

figure higher than them. Common authority fig-

ures are teachers over students, husbands over

wives, leaders over their members and bishops

over their young ministers.

Community is also at the center of Amish soci-

ety. Community is above individual rights and

choices. “Communal wisdom, accumulated over

the decades, is valued more than the opinion of

one person,” as described by the Young Center

of Amish studies at Elizabethtown College. With

this comes a refutation of anything that goes

against their traditional beliefs such as scientific

finds that contradict their beliefs or way of life.

The Amish believe separation from the outside

world strengthens their community. Through

isolation, they can focus more on the teachings of

God without modern technology and the influ-

ence of others distracting them from their faith.

CULTURE & EDUCATIONThe Amish speak Pennsylvania Dutch, derived

from German along with English. Pennsylvania

Dutch is primarily used for sermons. The Amish

typically forbid owning automobiles, tapping

electricity from public utility lines, using self-


propelled farm equipment, owning a television,

radio, cell phone, or computer, attending high

school or college, and joining the military. There

can be exceptions when need dictates, such as

battery operated lights on buggies to promote

safety. The education of the Amish usually

consists of a one-room schoolhouse with educa-

tion ending at grade eight. They deem education

after that unnecessary for their farming life-

style. The teachers of these schools are usu-

ally Amish women who have not attended high

school themselves and have no formal training

in teaching besides those before them. Their

school day starts with a daily prayer but religion

is not usually taught in school, instead focusing

mainly on reading, writing, math, history and

some geography. Sex education and science are

not typically taught. Schooling for the Amish is

important for the students to develop friend-

ships, pass on Amish values and to preserve

Amish culture through the generations.

The livelihoods of many Amish rely on farming

but that number is slowly dwindling. They live

on family farms and tend the land they or the

community owns. Farming still has a revered

place with the Amish, but many are switching

to higher paying jobs. Their use of farming as a

livelihood helps the Amish maintain their rural

lifestyle while also doing “God’s work.” They

believe God created soil and farming brings them

closer to their faith through hard work, frugality,

responsibility, simplicity and cooperation.

16 | Tourism & The Amish

Tourism & The AmishSince the 1950s, Amish communities have been attracting tourists, many of

whom travel long distances just to observe the Amish culture. As one of the larg-

est and oldest Amish settlements, Lancaster County has become a major hub of

Amish tourism. Aside from just observing the culture of the Amish and buying

homemade products and produce from roadside stands and farmers markets,

tourists are served by many small shops selling quilts, furniture and woodcrafts,

baked goods, and various other Amish-related trinkets.


LOOKING AT LANCASTERTourism in Lancaster County is growing, and much of that is due to Amish-

related tourism. Many Amish-centered tourist attractions have emerged,

featuring ways for tourists to experience the Amish lifestyle and learn about

their culture. Not all of the attractions are run by the Amish. Although many

Amish people run small shops and produce stands, many businesses run by

non-Amish proprietors in the region capitalize on tourists’ attraction to the

Amish lifestyle and culture, using their culture as a brand name to attract

customers.

The growth of Amish-centered tourism has also led to the development of

other attractions. Shopping malls, various retail stores, and even an amuse-

ment park have emerged in Lancaster County over the past few decades,

likely drawn to the area by the tourist traffic attracted to the area by the

Amish. A 2014 study by Joseph Harasta of Kutztown University noted that,

“counties neighboring Lancaster, such as Chester County, are similar to Lan-

caster, with the exception of an Amish population...[but] the tourist centric

development of Chester County is nowhere near the level of Lancaster

County. Therefore, it appears that the tourism industry explosion is related

to Lancaster’s ability to attract visitors to [the Amish]” (pg. 26-27).

TOURISM IN FINANCIAL TERMS The Amish are the primary reason tourists visit Lancaster County. The

tourism industry brings billions of dollars to the Lancaster County economy

with millions of people visiting each year. According to a report by Tourism

Economics, visitor spending in Lancaster County during 2014 was $1.95 bil-

lion, while total business sales equaled $2.6 billion. The estimated number

of visitors during the same period was 8.2 million.

Tourism in Lancaster County helps support over 24,000 jobs in the county,

accounting for approximately $780 million worth of wages. Close to two-

thirds of the jobs supported by tourism were jobs directly created by the

tourism industry, such as jobs in restaurants,

hotels, and attractions, while the remain-

der were created through indirect ser-

vices that support the tourist busi-

nesses. With tourism ever growing

in importance, it is important

to determine how the tourism

industry is affecting the Amish

communities in Lancaster.

$780mWages supported

by Lancaster tourism

The tourism industry brings billions of dollars to the Lancaster County economy with millions of people visiting each year.



IMPACTS OF TOURISM ON THE AMISHAs the foundation of tourism in Lancaster, the

Amish communities and culture in the region

must be preserved in order for tourism to be

maintained at its current levels. Our research has

found that in general, the Amish are not both-

ered by tourists. Most, especially the younger

generations, have grown up with tourism and see

it simply as a part of life. The tourists are gener-

ally friendly and not intrusive. It has even been

suggested that tourism may help strengthen

Amish communities by presenting a clear delin-

eation between the Amish and the outside world

and deepening their sense of cultural identity.

Some of the effects of tourism, however, can be

detrimental to Amish communities and culture.

Specifically, rising land prices make it diffi-

cult for the Amish to subsist through farming,

which is their preferred occupation. Numerous

studies indicate that the Amish prefer to work

small, family farms for a living. They believe

that farming brings them closer to God and that

fathers should be near home during the day so

they can lead their families. They also feel that

the increasing dependence on non-farming

occupations may weaken their communities. So,

although tourism itself is not much of a problem

for the Amish, the rising land prices caused by

tourism that prevent them from farming is prob-

lematic to their culture and way of life.

A study in an Amish community in Ohio by Kreps,

et al, found that land prices increased closer to

tourist areas, with land 1 mile from town costing

twice as much as land 5 miles from town. These

higher prices were caused by a combination of

nearby tourist businesses, competition with de-

velopers, and heavy demand for farmland from

within Amish communities.

COMPETITION FOR LAND RESOURCESThe reasons behind the increase of land prices

are heavily intertwined. As tourism increases in

a region, other businesses are attracted to the

region by the stream of tourists and increasing

economic opportunities. In the aforementioned

study by Joseph Harasta, it was found that many

bigger stores and malls have been pushing out

smaller businesses and taking up land that used

to be Amish farms. As noted in the study, “the

commercialization of the Amish lifestyle has

grown tremendously in recent decades, so much

so that it actually threatens the viability of the

very tourism industry it created. More and more

development using the Amish image to sell itself

means less and less Amish lifestyle for tourists

to observe. As an example, stores catering to the

tourists now sit on land that was once an Amish

farm. A strange dialectic exists in Lancaster

County: tourists come to the area to see the

Amish, but the Amish are being forced off their

land by developers catering to tourists” (pg 29).

Developers can offer higher prices for land than

the Amish can, and whether the land is to be

developed for businesses or homes, it drives the

Amish away from their cultural roots as small

family farmers. As tourism in Lancaster increas-

es and the area becomes more developed, the

Amish no longer have a rural region where they

can maintain the foundations of their culture.

The commercialization of the Amish lifestyle has grown tremendously in recent decades, so much so that it actually threatens the viability of the

very tourism industry it created.


Competition for farmland also exists within

the Amish communities. Because farming is

such a foundational component of their culture,

farmland around Amish communities is in high

demand. The high demand for farmland from

within Amish communities raises the land prices

in the area. These three factors: increasing tour-

ist businesses, competition from developers, and

high demand within Amish communities, all

culminate to impede the ability of many Amish

to farm by raising land prices high enough that it

is difficult for them to afford.

The Harasta study quoted an Amish man as say-

ing, “‘if we could be on the farm, we probably

would, but that’s not possible anymore; it’s too

expensive’” (pg 30). Instead, many Amish work

in industries such as construction, factories, re-

tail, and small businesses catering to tourists and

the local community. In some areas, the majority

of Amish men do not work on a farm, but instead

work in non-agricultural occupations.

This shift away from agriculture is dangerous to

the Amish communities and could easily lead to

the degradation of their culture and simple life-

style that bring is vast amounts of tourism. As of

now, the Amish population in Lancaster County

is remaining steady, but if the area becomes too

developed and increasingly less rural, it could

eventually drive the Amish away despite their

deep roots in the area.

On a national level the Amish continue to form

new settlements. Their communities continue

to expand and thrive. This successful growth

is mirrored within the Amish communities of

Lancaster county. The Lancaster county Amish

communities have maintained an ever growing

population and are now at an estimated 34,000

with 204 districts.

This reflects research conducted by the Rural

Sociological Society, which shows that the Amish

prefer to expand in rural landscapes while stay-

ing within a travel day from sister settlements.

They prefer to stay in areas with links to histori-

cal Amish communities as this closeness is a

reminder of their rich history, and are attracted

to inexpensive farmland.

“If we could be on the farm, we probably would, but that’s not possible anymore; it’s too expensive.”



In addition to leveraging the population

data compiled by Elizabethtown College’s

Young Center for Amish Studies, Geotech has

conducted a bespoke analysis examining

Amish school enrollment data, sourced from

the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The data shows that in the period from

2006 to 2015, Amish school enrollment

has remained relatively constant with a

slight increase. This finding partnered with

the earlier Elizabethtown statistics are

indicative of a stable Amish population in

Lancaster county.

AMISH SCHOOL ENROLLMENT IN LANCASTER COUNTY

2006–07 2011–12

EnrollmentTotals 0-9 10-20 21-28 29-37 38-51


0

500

1000

1500

2000 1620 1653 1606 1582 1648 1589 1661 1579 1617

58 60 59 61 61 61 64 62 61

2014–15

Total Number of Amish Students Number of Amish Schools

TOTAL NUMBER OF AMISH STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS IN LANCASTER COUNTY

26 | Recommendations

RecommendationsBased on the preceding analysis, Geotech has developed recommendations

that will enable the Amish to continue relying on agriculture. Protecting the

viability of Amish farming and their chosen agricultural lifestyle is an

effective way to combat negative impacts associated with Amish tourism in

Lancaster County.

Key to our recommendation is making sure that farmland prices do not rise

to unaffordable levels. The Amish will have greater latitude to purchase land

if the price of land is kept low. If land is available at a more affordable rate it

will be economically feasible for the Amish to continue farming. Thus, fewer

Amish will feel pressure to seek employment that takes them away from their

preferred vocation. This in turn supports continued Amish-centered tourism

and its financial benefits for the Lancaster region.


#1#2#3

Continue provisions set out in Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan

Maintain or expand Pennsylvania’s Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program

Commission review by 2025 to assess effectiveness of current recommendations and provide smooth end-of-plan transition


LANCASTER COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLANOur recommendation is to support the Lancaster

County Comprehensive Plan, which outlines

policies that have effectively achieved the afore-

mentioned goals. Essential to this plan is the

Rural Strategy section, the associated Agricul-

tural Easement Purchase program (part of the

Farmland Preservation Program or FPP), and

the Lancaster Farmland Trust (a local program

purchasing easements). Jointly, these policies

contribute to controlling land prices, across Lan-

caster County. A distinct note worth mentioning

is that these policies require little to no effort to

implement as they are already in place.

EASEMENTS In order to safeguard Pennsylvania’s agricultural

resources, the FPP, (part of the Pennsylvania

Department of Agriculture), aims to maintain

future food supply, and contribute to a healthier

economy (PA Department of Agriculture). The

program pays private initiatives to preserve

Amish farms. Amish beliefs forbid them from

accepting money directly from the government,

the money must be passed through private

organizations or trusts. The FPP also includes the

Pennsylvania Agricultural Conservation Ease-

ment Purchase Program, which was developed

in 1988, allowing state, county and local govern-

ments to purchase conservation easements from

owners of quality farmland. The land purchased

by the program is still owned by the original

‘farmers’. These owners can sell or bequeath the

property, but developments, other than agricul-

tural, are not allowed, effectively mitigating the

loss of prime farmland to nonagricultural uses.

The program has four criteria for selecting

farmland. The first is the quality of farmland.

The purchased farmland is required to be at least

50 acres, or 35 acres if the county program elects

(PA Department of Agriculture). Smaller parcels

could also be preserved if they are close to exist-

ing preserved farmland or growing a crop unique

to the region. The requirement also mentions

that at least half of the tract must be harvested

cropland, pasture or grazing land, and contains

50 percent land capability classes I-IV. The

second of the criteria is stewardship. Farms are

inspected about once every two years to ensure

that the farm owner is in compliance with the

terms of the deed of easement. These require-

ments include the achievement of soil erosion,

sedimentation control, and water conservation.

The third criterion is the likelihood of conserva-

tion. As mentioned on the program’s website,

the farmland is scored and ranked for possible

uses other than agriculture based upon a variety

of factors, such as the proximity to water and

sewer lines, the extent and type of non-farm

development nearby, the amount and type of ag-

ricultural uses in the vicinity, and the amount of

other preserved farmland in close proximity. The

higher the ranking, the greater the likelihood of

conservation. The last criterion is the value of the

land. The county board would select qualified real

estate appraisers to determine the market value

and agricultural value of the land. The difference

between them is the maximum value of the per-

petual conservation easement. The county board

has the choice to offer a purchase price less than

the appraised value of the easement (PA Depart-

ment of Agriculture).

The Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan’s policies have proven to be effective, and require little to no effort to implement as they are already in place.


99kLancaster farmland

acreage owned by Amish

383kTotal acres of farmland in Lancaster

77kAcres preserved

as of 2015

Lancaster County boasts 383,000 total acres of farmland, which amounts to 63 percent of the overall county land area.

Of this total farmland, 77,148 acres have been preserved as of 2015 (Agricultural Preserve Board). The Amish

community owns 99,238 acres, representing a significant 41.5 percent of the total farmland in Lancaster County.

Based on the success of the Rural Strategy and the Farmland

Preservation Program, Pennsylvania leads the nation in the number of

farms and acreage permanently preserved for agricultural production.



Since the first easement was purchased in 1989,

the program has created several positive impacts.

According to the PA Department of Agriculture

more than 500,000 acres have been perma-

nently protected across the state, and Pennsyl-

vania leads the nation in farmland preservation.

Another benefit is in keeping farm prices lower

than the market price. Due to the control of the

easements by the government, the land can-

not be sold for purposes other than agriculture.

This directly decreases the land price, and Amish

people are able to retain the land for farming.

ZONING DESIGNATIONSThe Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan cre-

ates several different agricultural land designa-

tions for zoning. One of these is the ‘Agricultural

with Natural’ – a designation used in areas which

are largely agricultural, but have a significant

proportion of sensitive resources, such as steep

slopes and stream corridors. Farmers in these

designated areas need to focus on managing

both agricultural and environmentally sensitive

resources at the same time. Through this policy,

the program continues to support the agricul-

tural industry and maintain agricultural produc-

tion. It also cooperates with land conservation

organizations at the same time to preserve natu-

ral resource lands and systems. This designation

should balance the natural areas and agricultural

lands to the best advantage. Changing rural,

residential, and other zoning to agricultural or

conservation zoning to maintain compatibility

with agricultural or natural resource uses is also

essential to this type of designation.

Another designation is ‘Natural Resource Areas’.

This designation applies to areas of the county

with a preponderance of significant natural

resources, like valuable natural habitat areas.

Instead of focusing on maintaining agricultural

products, this designation aims to preserve natu-

ral resource lands and systems. It makes poli-

cies that will benefit the natural resources in the

area, and associate with local land preservation

organizations to preserve these resources and

accommodate compatible rural uses, including

outdoor recreation and resource-based economic

uses such as forestry, wildlife preserves, and

non-intensive agriculture.

In addition to rural preservation, the plan also

includes designated rural centers, which are

specified locations allocated for development

of villages and other semi-urban area. This

designation is specifically intended to mitigate

scattered sprawl that influences land prices and

detracts from the overall clarity of the urban

rural divide in Lancaster.

LONGER TERM PERSPECTIVEAbove are our short term methods. The Com-

prehensive Plan guides growth through 2030. So

our long term suggestion is that by 2025, another

research study should be commissioned to evalu-

ate the outcomes of our suggested program. If

the outcomes are successful in sustaining Amish

culture and tourism, current policies should be

prolonged to 2050 or even longer. If the out-

comes are not as desirable as we predict, then the

new research report will consider new strategies

to apply as we move forward. Between now and

2025, our clients should consider allowing more

local organizations and private institutes to par-

ticipate in the program.

By 2025, another research study should be commissioned to evaluate our suggested program’s success in sustaining Amish culture and tourism

32 | Conclusion

ConclusionThe Amish are a distinct element of Lancaster’s cultural and historic fabric. They

also account for a significant amount of revenue for communities, local and state

government. As a cultural entity, the Amish have a long history with unique

religious and cultural traditions. Central to many of these Amish traditions is an

emphasis on community – for example, they don’t own cars because they feel

that cars would facilitate individuals leaving the community (Young Center).

Agriculture, another important aspect of Amish culture, traditionally has been the

dominant occupation of the Amish; however, in recent decades this has changed

as increasingly the Amish take to other fields, like construction and retail. This

trend is certainly not completely negative, and we do not encourage attempting

to reverse it, but our recommendations are focused on helping ensure that farm-

ing is not precluded as a livelihood for the Amish in Lancaster County.


34 | Conclusion


We suggest that tourism itself has no significant negative impact on Amish com-

munities, some sources even indicate that it might build group cohesion as the

Amish are consistently reminded of their principles of simple living (Kreps, et al).

What we see as more dangerous for the security of the Amish community is the

increase in land prices that is associated with tourism.

The increased price of land, and higher cost of living have led to rising numbers

of Amish seeking employment off the farm. This is important not only because

it represents a shift away from the traditions of the Amish, but also because one

of the central reasons that the Amish are of interest to tourists is their seeming

simplicity. This simplicity is derived from their simple clothing, their perceived

rejection of technology, and their dependence on farming (Kreps, et al).

These elements of Amish culture are key to tourism, so our recommended course

of action focuses on preserving farming as a viable means of livelihood for the

Amish so that they can maintain their traditional lifestyle while also exhibiting

the desired ‘brand’ of simplicity that is so tantalizing for tourists.

36 | Conclusion

Agricultural Preserve Board | Lancaster County, PA - Official Website.

(n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2016, from http://web.co.lancaster.pa.us/126/

Agricultural-Preserve-Board

Anderson, C., & Kenda, L. (2015). What kinds of places attract and sustain

Amish populations? Rural Sociology, 80(4), 483-511. doi:10.1111/ruso.12083

Hostetler, J. A. (1989). Pg 5. Amish roots: A treasury of history, wisdom, and

lore. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press. http://groups.etown.

edu/amishstudies/statistics/largest-settlements/.

Kraybill, D. B. (1993). Pg 191.The Amish and the state (2nd ed.). Baltimore:

Johns Hopkins University Press.

Kreps, G. M., Donnermeyer, J. F., Hurst, C., Blair, R., & Kreps, M. (1997). The

Impact of Tourism on the Amish Subculture: A Case Study. Community

Development Journal, 32(4), 354–367.

http://doi.org/10.1093/cdj/32.4.354

Lancaster county planning commission. (2006, April). Balance – The Growth

Management Element. http://pa-lancastercountyplanning.civicplus.com/

DocumentCenter/View/232

Lancaster, D. (n.d.). Statistics | Tourism Economics’ analysis of

Discover Lancaster’s KPIs. Retrieved April 13, 2016, from http://www.

discoverlancaster.com/tourism/tourism-statistics.asp

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. (2015). Bureau of Farmland

Preservation 2014 Annual Report. Retrieved April 24, 2016, from http://

www.agriculture.pa.gov/Encourage/farmland/Documents/2014 Farmland

Preservation Annual Report final.pdf

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Retrieved from: http://www.

agriculture.pa.gov/Encourage/farmland/Pages/default.aspx#.Vx0PbKMrKfU.

REDDING, R. (n.d.). PA.gov. Retrieved April 12, 2016 http://www.agriculture.

pa.gov/Encourage/farmland/Pages/default.aspx#.Vwxeh0c8jcp

“The Twelve Largest Amish Settlements, 2015.” Young Center for Anabaptist

and Pietist Studies, Elizabethtown College.

PHOTO CITATIONS(Cover) Meskens, A. (n.d.). Traditional Amish buggy. Retrieved March 20,

2016. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amish#/media/File:Traditional_Amish_

buggy.jpg

(pg 2) – The Amish Village #VisitLancaster. (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2016.

http://4hatsandfrugal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/DSC_0049.jpg

(pg 4) – Gingrich, D. (n.d.). From Our Kids to Yours. Retrieved March 23,

2016. http://www.amishnews.com/DONNA%20GINGRICH%20AMISH%20

FARMER%20retouched.jpg

Citations


(pg 7) – Ahh, Amish Country. (2011). Retrieved March 23, 2016. https://

okokletsdothis.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/country-road.jpg

(pg 8) – A. (2016). PA & Amish Country 11.10.15 040. Retrieved April

09, 2016. https://windryder5.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/pa-amish-

country-11-10-15-040.jpg

(pg 11) – Siripattanakul, S. (n.d.). Humphrey Fellows at Philip Merrill College

of Journalism. Retrieved March 21, 2016. http://blog.umd.edu/merrillhhh/

files/2014/12/Amish-1143hu9.jpg

(pg 13) – RV There Yet. Retrieved from http://rvthereyetchronicles.

s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_00421.jpg

(pg 15) – Parsley, T. (n.d.). TonyParsley@OhioNature. Retrieved March 23,

2016. https://tonyparsley.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/amish-ctry-2014-10-

18-013-copy.jpg

(pg 16) – Illinois, E. (n.d.). The Official Enjoy Illinois Blog. Retrieved March

30, 2016. http://www.enjoyillinoisblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/

HomesteadBakeryInside-Arthur.jpg

(pg 18) – Illinois Amish Museum - Amish Country Tours. (n.d.). Retrieved

March 23, 2016. http://www.amishcenter.com/assets/images/Amish%20

wagon.JPG

(pg 21) – OHAlpacas (2010) Retrieved April 23, 2016, http://ohalpacas.com/wp-

content/uploads/2013/09/Barn-199-low-res.jpg

(pg 22-23) Graph and Maps created in-house using data from: the

Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Private and Non-Public Schools

Enrollment Reports 2005-2006 through 2014-2015. http://www.education.

pa.gov/Data-and-Statistics/Pages/Enrollment%20Reports%20and%20

Projections.aspx#.Vw3MuxMrL_Q

(pg 25) – Parsley, T. (n.d.). TonyParsley@OhioNature. Retrieved March 23,

2016. https://tonyparsley.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/blackhand-2014-11-

01-165-copy-copy-2.jpg

(pg 27) – Stambaugh, B. (n.d.). Tag Archives: Amish lifestyle. Retrieved

March 30, 2016. https://brucestambaugh.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/

dsc_0825.jpg

(pg 30) – (n.d.). Retrieved March 30, 2016. https://upload.wikimedia.org/

wikipedia/commons/d/dd/AmishRakingHay.jpg

(pg 33) – Usitalo, K. (2010). Amish Country Cruisin’. Retrieved March

23, 2016. https://greatlakesgazette.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/amish-

wagon_4662.jpg

(pg 34) – Stambaugh, B. (n.d.). Monthly Archives: July 2014. Retrieved March

23, 2016. https://brucestambaugh.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/2014-07-

15-14-35-50.jpg

Prepared by:

Prepared for:

The color palette and distinctive pinwheel icon used throughout this report were derived from traditional Amish quilts.

Since the 1950s the Amish have been a major tourist

attraction, bringing in millions of dollars across the

country. Nowhere is the importance of Amish

tourism more apparent than in Lancaster County

Pennsylvania, the iconic home of the ‘Plain People’

that draws tourists from across the country.

Buggies, cuisine, and the sense of a simpler time are

all reasons for this bustling trade, which has become

an important part of Pennsylvania’s tourism

industry. The question addressed here looks at how

best to achieve profitable tourism, while also

maintaining Amish culture. The key to answering

this question rests on understanding how tourism

impacts Amish culture both directly and indirectly.

In order to guarantee long-term profitability it is

important that steps are taken to ensure that future

generations of Amish can continue living as their

forbearers have, farming and living off the land.

A report by Geotech, LLC. Prepared for the Pennsylvania Department

of Economic Development and the Lancaster County Tourism Board.