Southern Virginia’s Growing Amish Community: Tradition Meets Economic Revival
Nestled in the rolling hills of southern Virginia, a quiet revolution is underway. Over the past decade, Amish families from Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland have migrated to the region, drawn by affordable farmland and a slower pace of life. This influx has led to the establishment of vibrant new communities in counties like Halifax, Pittsylvania, and Mecklenburg, revitalizing rural economies and fostering cultural exchange.
A New Home in the South
The Amish population in Virginia has surged in recent years, with over a dozen new settlements founded since 2013. Southern Virginia’s Halifax County, home to the Nathalie Community, is a prime example. Over 30 Amish-owned businesses now operate here, including furniture shops, sawmills, bulk food stores, and greenhouses.
“We wanted land where we could raise our families and live by our faith,” said Samuel Beiler, a community leader in Nathalie. “Southern Virginia offered us that, plus the chance to build businesses that serve both our community and our neighbors.”…