The day has settled in wet, cool, and quintessentially autumn—perfect weather for Halloween! Our goats have made their choice clear: they're cozied up in the barns, steering clear of the damp pastures. Who can blame them? They're contentedly nestled in warm straw, surrounded by their herd mates, leisurely chewing their hay. With our switch to once-daily milking, they're especially enjoying their relaxed morning routine.
While the goats take it easy, our creamery team is hard at work, crafting fresh Chevre and tending to wheels of cheese slowly developing their character in this cool weather. The changing seasons bring out the best in our aging process, and we're excited to see how these batches develop.
The rest of the farm is quietly efficient today, with our team moving swiftly through their outdoor tasks before retreating inside. There's something perfectly Halloween about this weather—the damp chill and wind-blown leaves create just the right amount of spine-tingling atmosphere!
Looking Ahead
🍂 New Fall & Winter Hours Starting November 1st!
Weekly Schedule
- Tuesday-Friday: 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Monday: Closed
Farm Activities
- Visit our friendly goats
- Stroll our lakeside nature path
- Sample our award-winning cheeses
- Saturday Goat Hikes at 11:00 AM (weather permitting)
Caprae Dining Experience
Weekly Specials
- Tuesdays: Taco Night! (Walk-ins welcome, no reservations needed, 4 PM - 9 PM)
- Wednesday-Friday: Dinner Service (4 PM - 9 PM)
- Saturday: Lunch (11 AM - 4 PM) & Dinner (4 PM - 9 PM)
- Sunday: Brunch (9 AM - 2 PM), Bar open until 4 PM
NEW! Prix Fixe Experience
Starting next week, we're introducing a four-course, chef-selected tasting menu available Wednesday through Saturday. Make reservations through Tock or try your luck as a walk-in. Please note that all guests at the table must participate in the tasting menu experience.
Good to Know
- New Fall menu launches November 6th
- Reservations available on Tock
- Indoor and outdoor seating (weather permitting)
- Casual service style—check in with the bartender upon arrival
- Bar offerings include cheese plates, gelato, and craft beverages
- Sunday kitchen closes at 2 PM, but the bar remains open until 4 PM
Follow us on social media for daily specials and updates! While reservations aren't required, they're recommended as we occasionally close for private events.
From the Creamery
As we transition deeper into autumn, we invite you to experience our award-winning cheeses and discover your new favorite. Each variety reflects our unwavering commitment to quality, seasonality, and the rich flavors of our land. Take note: some seasonal favorites, including Arch Angel and Little Bloom, are nearing the end of their production cycle. Don't miss your chance to savor these delectable cheeses—available both at Caprae and at our farmers market stand this weekend.
Award-Winning Cheeses
Chevre Frais: Everything Bagel
***2024 ACS GOLD MEDAL***
Our fresh, lemony chevre, elevated with everything bagel seasoning. Also available in plain, herbs de Provence, and cracked pepper varieties.
Mixed-milk Feta in Whey Brine
***2024 ACS GOLD MEDAL***
Tangy and creamy yet crumbly, our feta is versatile perfection. Crumble it on summer salads or your favorite grilled dishes for an instant flavor boost.
Moonglo
***2023 ACS Silver Medal***
A raw goat milk "tomme" style semi-hard cheese, washed with a culture-brine of pear leaf tea and Illinois pear wine. Expect notes of fruit and nuts - perfect with hard salami or fresh peach wedges.
Pelota Roja
***2021 Good Food Award***
Our Spanish-style raw goat milk hard cheese. Sharp, nutty, and spicy - shave it, grate it, slice it, and savor its deliciousness.
Ukrainian Farmers' Cheese
***2024 ACS BRONZE MEDAL***
An all-jersey cow milk fresh cheese with a mild, slightly tangy flavor. Its texture is reminiscent of both ricotta and small-curd cottage cheese. Enjoy with fresh berries and honey or use in your favorite recipes.
Seasonal Specialties
Seasonal Chevre Flavor
This weekend we have a few tomato chevre, spiced cranberry, and Garlic & Herb chevre left!
Blushing Goat is back!
Our beautiful wash-rind cheese, bathed in semi-dry peach cider from Brick River Brewery and pet nat wine. Its peachy golden hue evokes Fall sunsets, while its flavor is mild and slightly yeasty.
Bloomy Rind Selection
- Archangel: All-goat milk mini-brie style cheese (Young)
- Angel Food: Mixed cow and goat milk mini-brie style cheese (Young) Half wheels and petites available this weekend
- Little Bloom on the Prairie: Mixed milk camembert-style bloomy (Young)
Farm Fresh Delights
Goat Milk Yogurt
Available in pints and quarts. Pair it with CIB granola for a breakfast of champions!
Find Us at Local Farmers' Markets
As we bid farewell to the 2024 outdoor market season at both Urbana and Bloomington, we want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us and our fellow local vendors. It's been a wonderful season!
But don't worry—we're not going far! You can still find us throughout the winter:
Champaign-Urbana Winter Farmers Market
Every Saturday through April
Lincoln Square Mall
Hosted by The Land Connection
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Saturday, November 23rd (The Saturday before Thanksgiving)
Bloomington Center for Performing Arts
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
While you're at our stand, don't forget to check out our farm merchandise. It's a great way to take a piece of Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery home with you.
🧀 This Week's Farm Share Spotlight: Homemade Pizza Night!
Transform your weekly farm-share ingredients into a delicious homemade pizza that celebrates our local flavors! This week's share includes everything you need for an extraordinary pizza experience.
What's in Your Share
PFFC Tomato Chevre Cheese
Urban Slicer's Neapolitan Pizza Dough Mix
Urban Slicer's Pizza Sauce
Artisanal Italian Seasoning Blend
Quick & Easy Ukrainian Farmers Cheese Pizza Recipe
Turn your farm share into a memorable meal in under an hour!
Prep Time: 20 minutesCook Time: 12-15 minutesTotal Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients
1 package Urban Slicer's Neapolitan Pizza Dough Mix
1 can Urban Slicer's Pizza Sauce
PFFC Tomato Chevre Cheese, crumbled
Italian Seasoning Packet
Water (according to dough mix instructions)
Olive oil for brushing
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
Follow the mixing instructions on your Urban Slicer's dough package
Let rest according to package directions
Pre-heat your oven to 450°F (or as high as it will go)
Shape & Top
Stretch dough into a 12-inch circle on a floured surface
Brush edge with olive oil
Spread Urban Slicer's Pizza Sauce evenly, leaving a 1/2-inch border
Generously crumble PFFC Tomato Chevre Cheese over sauce
Sprinkle with Italian Seasoning blend
Bake
Place pizza on a preheated pizza stone or baking sheet
Bake 12-15 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is melty
Let rest 2-3 minutes before slicing
Chef's Tips
For an extra crispy crust, pre-heat your pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven
Our Tomato Chevre Cheese adds a unique, rich flavor that sets this pizza apart from the usual mozzarella version
Try adding fresh herbs from your garden in addition to the dried seasoning blend
Add your favorite toppings! Black olives, pepperoni, to pineapple- get creative!
Leftover cheese? It's fantastic crumbled over salads or mixed into scrambled eggs!
While these delightful ingredients will be available for purchase at the Urbana farmers' market, we encourage you to sign up for our CSA shares. It's the perfect way to ensure you never miss out on our weekly offerings and to support our farm directly.
Remember, our CSA shares offer you the chance to experiment with new flavor combinations each week. We can't wait to see what culinary creations you come up with!
Farm Stays:
Our cozy log home is now available for overnight stays! Immerse yourself in farm life, enjoy our artisan cheeses, and experience farm-to-table cuisine. Book your stay for a unique getaway!
During all open hours, guests can explore our marked trails, visit the goats, and enjoy meals or beverages in our pavilion or on the lawns. Our staff is always happy to chat about our farm, goats, and cheese-making process.
Please note: No outside food or pets allowed. All activities are weather-permitting.
Stay updated by following us on Facebook and Instagram, and keep an eye on your inbox for future announcements!
Join us in embracing this beautiful season of change, where every day brings new colors, flavors, and experiences to our little corner of the prairie. Whether you visit us at the farm or at one of the markets, we're excited to share our little corner of the prairie with you!