Summer Conference in Middlebury, Indiana
June 26–27, 2026
Essenhaus Inn and Conference Center
Plain Roots: Community, Story, and Support for Higher Education
A conference designed to connect those with a Plain background who are seeking or have sought education while welcoming anyone interested in the culture and conversations around it — all are invited!
What to Expect
- Panels featuring current students, professionals, and authors sharing their experiences in education and beyond
- Presentations on specialty topics and individual education journeys
- Two shared meals with opportunities to connect, converse, and build community with fellow attendees
Registration & Accommodations
- Two tiers: most will pay $100, but reduced to $50 for those with reduced ability to pay
- Includes Friday dinner and Saturday lunch
- Lodging available through the Essenhaus Inn, Airbnb, and local host families
Register below through Eventbrite:
Schedule for Plain Roots Conference on June 26 – 27, 2026
Friday, June 26, 2026
1:00 pm – Registration and name tags
2:00 pm – Opening talk: outlining the purpose and goals of the conference
Speakers: Saloma Furlong and Eythana Miller
2:30 pm – Presentations on Pennsylvania Dutch Projects
- Eythana Miller, Heritage in Translation: the oral history of an unconventional Amish community
- Rose Fisher, The Pennsylvania Dutch Dialects Project
- Eythana Miller & Rose Fisher, Teaching people to write Pennsylvania Dutch
3:30 pm – Break
3:45 pm – Author panel (moderated by Eythana Miller)
5:00 pm – Close for the day; move from conference center to restaurant for dinner
Saturday, June 27, 2026
9:00 am – Personal narrative by Naomi Kramer Yoder
9:30 am – ADSF: Where we started and where we are today
10:30 am – Break
10:45 am – Panel of students receiving scholarships from ADSF (moderated by Rose Fisher)
12:00 pm –Lunch
1:15 pm – Individual stories from medical professionals: Harley Yoder, Freeman Miller, TBD
2:30 pm – Break
3:00 pm – Individual stories from academic professionals: Leon Hostetler, Naomi Clark, TBD
4:15 pm – TBD
4:45 pm – Saloma and Eythana make closing remarks and ask everyone to fill out a survey
5:00 pm – Conference Ends: Optional dinner at Essenhaus for those who want to stay.
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