Blending story telling, farm humor, and an uncanny knack for stirring up trouble, Shannon examines the history of consumerism in America, how it played out in the household, the effects it has had on our food system and culture, and how we can recover our households, our communities, our ecosystem and our country. Like much of her work, this talk is characteristically controversial, and is likely to stir up debate as well as inspire action, even among those who disagree.

Shannon Hayes writes and farms with three generations of her family on Sap Bush Hollow Farm in West Fulton, NY, where she grew up. The family raises all-natural grassfed lamb, beef, pork, and poultry. Shannon is the author of three books: The Grassfed Gourmet, Farmer and the Grill, and Radical Homemakers. The latter two are published by Left to Write Press, a company that Shannon and her husband Bob started as a way to enable them to live in Schoaharie County without having to sell-out to corporate media.

Shannon's essays and articles have appeared in myriad regional and national publications, including The New York Times, The Boston Review, and Northeast Public Radio. She currenly blogs for Yes! Magazine, and her newest book, Long Way on a Little: An Earth Lovers' Companion for Enjoying Meat, Pinching Pennies and Living Deliciously, is due out this Fall.