We had an incredible event this year with so many friends joining us for two days of celebrating family, faith, and farming. Here are some highlights!
It was an incredible turnout this year. We had guests all the way from Colorado and North Carolina!
25 Family Economies
One of the main goals of our fair is to showcase the family economy in action. We had our biggest turnout this year with 25 family economy vendors. Every one of those tents above represented a family (and the barn was full too). Many were working together for the very first time! Here is a brief intro to a few of them.
The Lewis family here are pastors at a local church and had information on Marriage Counseling that they offer. They also breed English spaniels, and they happened to have the most amazing gluten-free chocolate chip cookies for sale too!
The Halvorsons brought their creative goods and treats all the way from North Dakota.
The Warkentien family teamed up to sell personalized bracelets and homemade candies. Kevin is also a builder and real estate agent who specializing in helping families find homesteading properties (he’s helped quite a few of our friends!).
Noah and Jennifer Sanders are the artistic duo. Noah paints original art and Jennifer is a wedding and portrait photographer. Jen could be seen running around all day with a camera in her hand to capture the perfect shot (many of which you are seeing in this post). Thanks Jen!
No Two Alike
As you can see… No two family economies are alike. They can’t be. A family economy will be as varied as each family and the different gifts each member brings to the table. That is why a Family Economy Fair is such a good time–you see things other families are doing and some ideas resonate. Great! Now you know a family that does it, and you can learn from them.
Keith and Anna Johnson raise sheep in western Minnesota. They brought their bottle-fed lambs with them for a mobile petting zoo!
A Joyful Noise
We had family bands playing throughout the weekend on what we called our Joyful Noise stage. Any family who wanted to could setup and sing together. Our neighbors from down the street led us in a few beautiful hymns.
The Showbarn
We had chicks, bunnies, baby lambs, piglets, goats, a calf, and even a donkey! A few neighbors and fair vendors brought their animals to our showbarn for others to enjoy.
A Productive Playground
We set up our playground to actually be productive: hammering nails, splitting wood, sawing logs. And guess what? Kids LOVE it! Plus we get a head start on our firewood supply for winter. 🙂
Everyone’s a Winner
We held our annual pie contest where everyone is a winner, because after the contest is over everyone gets to eat pie!!
See you next year!
Thanks to all of the guests and vendors who came out this year–it was a blast. See you next time!
Rory and Becca Groves
Thank you to our sponsors!
We are very grateful to our sponsors this year who believe in supporting family-scale enterprise. Please support them!
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