Giveaway : : Radical Homemakers and Kickapoo Country Fair Tickets

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This weekend is the weekend we wait for all summer long. It's the Kickapoo Country Fair in La Farge, WI – just one town away. We've gone every year since we moved to Viroqua. My kids refer to it as "The fair where you let us eat cotton candy – with the stilt-walking butterflies." (I posted about it here a couple of years ago.) Sponsored by Organic Valley and held at their headquarters, the Kickapoo Country Fair serves all organic food. Really. It's the fair, but organic. 

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This year (and every year) there are great speakers too. Last year I got to ask questions and taste kraut made by Sandor Katz, author of Live Fermentation. And this year's stellar line-up includes Shannon Hayes, author of Radical Homemakers. Not to get to giveaway crazed, but today Shannon has generously provided me with a copy of her book to share with you. I can't say enough about this book. It is life-changing. I identified more with what I have read in this book than perhaps any book I've read before.

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I interviewed Shannon this week. Here's what she had to say.

Clean: How long have you been writing?

Hayes: Since i finished my PHD in 2001.

Clean: What inspired you to take the life and work path that you have chosen?

Hayes: I
didn't want to leave my family farm or community.  I really like it
here.  Simultaneously, my personal politics made it very
difficult/impossible for me to find a job locally.  That turned out to
be  good thing, because I got a far better deal, being able to stay
home and on the farm all the time!!

Clean: How do you believe your work is bringing good into the world?

Hayes: I'm
trying to ask questions, to challenge the assumptions we've made in our
culture that bind us to ecologically-damaging lifestyles that cause
suffering world-wide as the rest of the coutries try to keep up with
American consumer needs.  I'm pushing people's comfort levels, asking
them to consider their fears in changing the way we live.   Sometimes
that offends folks, but it does get them talking.  And a lot of people
are taking action, which is thrilling to witness.


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In addition to Shannon's book, I have four tickets to the fair to share with local/regional readers. Enter a comment below and let me know if you want the book, the tickets, or anything I'll give ya'. I'll choose three winners (one for the book and two for two tickets each) after I close comments on Friday morning. 

Comments are now closed. Winner will be announced shortly!

And I also want to mention this: if you aren't the lucky winner to receive a copy of Shannon's book, I urge you to run to your local bookstore and buy a copy. Immediately. It'll change your life.

83 thoughts on “Giveaway : : Radical Homemakers and Kickapoo Country Fair Tickets”

  1. Casey says:

    Oooh ooh ooh!!! I have that book on my wish list at paperbackswap.com! How cool! Might need to make a trip down to that fair, too…not terribly far from us!

  2. Lori says:

    Wow – so many good give aways lately rachel. Would love either the book or fair tickets! I’m excitedly waiting for my first LuSa order to come to my doorstep 🙂 – its like Christmas.

  3. Em says:

    Sounds like a great book- I just put it on my wish list. Wish we were closer to the fair- I would be there!

  6. Kristi Dalberg says:

    The fair sounds amazing but I think KC a ways away. I would, however, LOVE a copy of that book to see what I am missing out on! Just the cover alone is awesome…I can’t even imagine what it holds inside!

    Have a wonderful time at the fair! Can’t wait to read how it goes for your family and what you learn!

  8. Joey R says:

    I’ve been meaning to get this book. Can’t make it to the fair this year, but I hope to go next year. I hear it’s great!!!

  9. Laura says:

    I’d love to read/win the book 🙂 My friend Miranda just read it too and had rave reviews! Thanks for the giveaway!!

  11. bren says:

    ooh, i’ve had that book on my to-read list!

    and i cannot wait for the fair this weekend. it’s the one summer thing we look forward to all year. i’d be happy to take some free tickets off your hands.

  13. Sommer says:

    I’d LOVE a copy of that book to read! Thanks for sharing so many great giveaways. I also love following your blog and being inspired by your beautiful family.

  15. Barb says:

    I have this book on my wishlist- can’t wait to get ahold of a copy to read it!
    I didn’t realize she was speaking there this year, I’ll have to find out when. See you there!

  16. Katie says:

    The book is also on my to-read list! MANY thanks for the blog– I find inspiration and encouragement here.

  18. denise says:

    I already have the book and tickets to the fair, so don’t need to be entered…but we are REALLY looking forward to the fair too. It is our favorite of the year – like minded people, workshops that interest us, kids tent, live music, all kinds of great booths and food. And the maple cotton candy? Oooooooh. Can’t wait – see you there! 🙂

  22. Jordan says:

    This will be our first year going to the fair…really excited! I also have been wanting to read this book, it looks really good.

  23. Jody says:

    I have that book reserved through my library system but darn it if they won’t give it to me! I would love a copy to finally be able to read it!

    This is the first year in a while that we won’t be able to make it to the fair. We absolutely adore it.

  25. Sarah says:

    I’m SO far down the library’s list for the book! I’d love my very own copy – the excerpts I’ve read make it seem like just the book I’ve been waiting for.

  26. Becki Derr says:

    Love to read the book!!! The fair is great we moved from seattle last year and went to the fair and LOVED IT!!! If anyone is in the area of the fair it is the best one around. Just remember to bring cash.

  27. andrea says:

    oh yeah, this book has been on my wish list. can’t make it to the fair (it is pretty far for us and my daugther turns 5 this weekend, so celebrations are in order). i didn’t know it was organic!!!! how cool is that?

  28. Floralpassion says:

    holy cow what a givaway! I am so excited for this book. Would love to have it 🙂 This book is just what I need. Too bad a live to far for the fair cuz I sure would love me some fair food. :(… but the book could make it all good.

  31. Amanda J says:

    My husband and son are headed to the fair. I’d love to enter them on my behalf! The book would be for me 🙂

  32. Sarah says:

    I would love to win the book–it keeps coming up and I think it’s time to read! The fair sounds amazing, but the drive from the twin cities isn’t realistic for us this weekend:(

  34. Chuck Lacasse says:

    What a perfect book for my wife. Jeez…That could be HER on the cover! Well..except that she is blonde…short hair. But she has a rolling pin and has been know to hold it as such. We are heading to the fair this weekend from Green Bay (first visit)…contemplating a move to the area. Tickets would be very appreciated…but there’s always “at the door.” 🙂

  35. lo says:

    I’d love the book! Like Sarah, I have it on reserve at the library… but it may NEVER come at this rate!

    We’re in Wisconsin and would love to go to the fair this weekend as well — but I’m afraid we can’t make it out. *sad* Looks like a great line-up this year!!

  36. Sara Adams says:

    This year will be our first to the fair. I can’t wait to go and would love tickets. I’d take the book or soap or whatever else you’d want to send my way too. 🙂

  37. Mariah says:

    I would love the opportunity to win this book! I’ve been wanting to order it for some time but am short on $$. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

  38. rose says:

    Funny – I just put that book on my “To Read” list today! I’d also love to go to the fair, though, so you decide! 🙂

  39. anna says:

    I would love to get the book! PLEASE 🙂
    Can’t make it to the fair this year 🙁 so the book would be a nice way to get distracted for a little while… Thanks for your beautiful blog!

  40. Deborah Nerud says:

    We’re planning on going to the fair, but free tickets make the maple Kickapoo coffee lattes all the sweeter; a free book is something I could look forward to when I get my 30 minutes of mama-only reading time before bed…

  41. Katie McMahan says:

    I just so happen to be going on an epic kayaking trip down the Kickapoo this weekend and would love to stop by the Fair and take along some friends!

  42. Stephanie says:

    I’d love the book, the tickets, whatever! The book sounds great. Can’t wait to read it.

  46. MaeKellan says:

    Ooh I would love the book! I would also love the tickets but since Im in Aus I highly doubt my husband would let me come. Thanks for this giveaway 🙂

  47. Miranda says:

    This is an amazing book. I have the book (and plan to reread it until the pages fall out of the spine). I don’t need a copy of the book, but would LOVE tickets to the fair!

  48. Anne says:

    This is nuts I was just about to buy this book! I checked it out from the library and only got a little over halfway through before I had to pass it on. I wanted to get it and have a list of folks read it. It is that awesome! Crossin’ my fingers.

    This fair sounds like a dream. Have fun!

  53. Meagan Grant says:

    I’m dying to read this book, but like many others that commented, am long on the list at my library! Thanks so much for the opportunity.
    The fair sounds like so much fun…we live a bit far away in Boston, though. 😉 Thanks so much, again.

  54. Fishgirl116 says:

    I would love to have a pair or just a single ticket.

    The whole concept of creating our own path underlies strength and determination. I wrote a book on how to map a plan (“Should I Stay Home” by Dr. Beth Fisher). I believe the La Crosse public library has a copy.

  61. Shannon says:

    Oh wow! That book’s been on my “list” for a while now…and we’ve been considering making the trip to the fair this year. We’ve never been but have heard about it, and we’re eager to check it out! (A friend of ours is speaking/playing too…)

    Thanks so much for the chance at such a great giveaway!

  62. Jenifer says:

    This is on my wish list already, and the more I hear about it the more I want to read it now. I’d love a copy. The fair sounds great! But, its a little far from southwest VA. 🙂

  63. Lea says:

    I would love a copy of this book! Just in case I don’t win, I’m going to go to my library’s website right now and request that they order it! Thanks for the giveaway!

  64. katie steege says:

    would love a copy of her book. would also LOVE to go to the fair …. wish we lived closer.

  65. Michelle M says:

    I would love to win the book, please count me in!! I’d love to go to the fair too, but seeing as I’m in New Zealand, well it’s probably just a bit too far away!! 🙂

  67. Stephanie O' says:

    I read about this book in the magazine Urban Farming and immediately put it on my holds list for the library, but who knows when I’ll get it! I’d love my own copy as I’m sure I’d like to reference it over and over again!

  71. ANNE says:

    I would LOVE the book! She is amazing and I know the book will be too. I’m to far away for the fair sadly. Have fun!

  72. abbie says:

    Sign me up! I am in need of a new read.
    Did not know you were in Viroqua! Do you know the Langaard family, Hill family or Long family? All part of my husband’s extended family! They have lived in that town all their lives.
    Such a small world!

  74. Carolyn says:

    Soooo excited! We just made arrangements to stay with friends in La Crosse to go to the fair(tickets, please)!!! It will be our first time and I’m sure not our last. There’s so much I want to see and taste. Where can we take the kids to explore the Kickapoo River?

  75. Bianca Whitaker says:

    I’ve been waiting to purchase this book. Guess I’ll wait a few more days and see if I win it. And organic food at the fair? I really need to move…

  76. Jess says:

    I’d love the book, though we might check out the fair in a few years when our little guy is older. Thanks!

  77. liz says:

    Would love the book; so relevant right now, personally and otherwise. Thanks for the opportunity.

  78. Margaret says:

    Please put me in the running for the book! I would love to read this. (Alas, we are over 3 hours from the fair. We might make a special trip next year. . .)

  81. Jenn says:

    We went to the Kickapoo Fair a few years ago and had a good time. I remember being startled at how good and *real* all the food was! It’s a shame we can’t go this year, maybe next year.

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