Princess Kay and Me: Stories about the Minnesota Butterheads and much more

by Linda Christensen

Little did Linda Christensen know when she walked into a 40-degree, rotating cooler in 1972 that inside that cooler, over the next 50 fairs, she would carve 41,500 pounds of butter into the likenesses of more than 550 young women involved in dairy farming. In that time, traditions developed around the “butterheads” including the lives they go on to live after the fair, some as centerpieces on wedding tables, in cookie dough for hundreds of holiday baking exchanges, at town corn feeds, and church pancake breakfasts. Some remain in farm family freezers for decades. Linda jokes that through cooler conversations with her subjects she has achieved at least a graduate degree in theoretical dairy farming. She has also learned much about the history of butter, of butter sculpting, of women's traditional contributions to their home dairies, and the new story of women dairy farmers. Minnesotans have honored Linda for gaining the state and its dairy farmers national recognition. She enjoys the status of Minnesota icon. Now she relives her many unique memories, not only of her butter carving history but of her early life and journey to becoming the woman who carves butter at the Minnesota State Fair.

200 pages, Paperback

Published February 21, 2022

Reviews

[Patty Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Minnesota girl that grew up on a dairy farm, this book touched my heart. I wish I could have watched her carve one of those butterheads!

[Carina Aleckson · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a veteran Minnesota State Fair goer, I was excited to see this book be published. Is it polished and well researched? No. Is it full of heart and interesting tidbits? Yes.

The author was the official butter sculptor for 50 years and shares stories from many of the princesses whose heads she carved over the years. I learned a lot about dairy farming and the evolution of 21st century farming, and learned how many of the former princesses stayed connected to dairy farming in some capacity or other.

The author included some of her sketches and poems on other subjects—a lovely addition that kept with the hodgepodge feel of the book.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is essential reading for Minnesota state fair goers! If you've ever stood in the Dairy Building watching butterheads be carved, this book is for you. The author was butterhead-carver extraordinaire at the Minnesota state fair for 50 years (!), and she chronicles her experiences as an artist and with the dairy industry in this book. It's a fun read but also has a surprising amount of information about dairy farmers, state fair history, and making a living as an artist. It's insightful and reflective, and I'd recommend it to anyone who loves the fair!

[Tracee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun book to read. Being from Iowa I have seen things carved from butter but I didn't know about this program. I like how it brings out the dairy farmers and what they do and how these wonderful ladies have went out in the world to make it better. I didn't grow up on a farm but I live on one now and I wouldn't change that for the world. I understand how much work it is and how rewarding it is so this book brought some memories back for me also.

[Bethany Kozitka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. If you love the MN state fair and the tradition of the butter heads this book is for you. I have always loved seeing Linda carve the butter heads especially during my years as dairy princess as I knew many of the girls and now to read her story and the story of many who sat in the butter booth is truly a'MOO'zing.

[Meghan Servais · Rating 5 out of 5]

As one of the many lucky women who was a “Butterhead” and was carved by Linda, this story was so amazing! So much heart put into this story. May be somewhat biased as a native Minnesotan and past Butterhead, but there is so much passion and love for the Minnesota State Fair in this book that I would Recommend!

[Julie Horn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read!