Farm News
The backbone of our farm and business is made of mothers, caprine mothers. Every spring, our does give birth to a litter of kids and begin again their seasonal production of milk. Their motherhood is more than transactional. Our relationship is intimate. We name the lucky ones who become the next generation of milkers, we help them birth their babies, we provide a smorgasbord of hay, pasture and browse to keep them well fed, we trim their hooves and tend to them when they get sick. We let them retire with dignity when their productive lives wane.
They, in turn, offer up their rich, delicious milk twice daily for nearly 10 months. They allow us to become herd members, sharing their emotions and personalities. They “talk” to us when we enter the barn, usually demanding a refresh on the hay or a reprimand if we’re late to milking. They sidle up to the fence or linger in the milking parlor, hoping for a head scratch or a face rub. They open gates and jimmy doorknobs to let themselves into forbidden areas. They give you the look of busted teenagers, and your anger gives way to giggles. They are mothers, and we mother them. We are intertwined and the boundaries are fluid.
Urbana’s Market at the Square Featured Items Going to Market This week-Saturdays 7 am to 12 noon!
Fresh chevre
Plain
Herbs de Provence
Cracked peppercorn
Fresh Chive & Lemon Zest (seasonal flavor)
Angel Food-goat “crottin” style bloomy (like a firm brie)
Fleur de la Prairie—Good Food Award winner!-bloomy with dried herbs and edible flowers
Black goat-ash-ripened bloomy
Goat Milk Yogurt—it makes a great smoothie or enjoy with your favorite granola and fresh berries
Goat Milk Feta aged in Whey Brine
Goat Milk Gelato by Pint (vanilla and chocolate for sure, along with a couple of other flavors)
Mother’s Day Gift Offerings
It’s not too late to order a special Mother’s Day Cheese Box or Pancake Breakfast Kit for farm pick up this weekend. The cheese box features three of our spring cheeses with onion jam and herby crackers by Pan & Cake Caterers (Champaign, IL) There are some special add-ons for this box too, including apple-cardamom cupcakes with chevre icing! Want to make your mom a breakfast she’ll never forget? Try our pancake breakfast kit featuring locally milled flour (Janie’s Mill), maple syrup, chevre and locally roasted coffee. We’re even offering a few gorgeous AND delicious cupcake bouquets by Pan & Cake Caterers.
ORDERING DEADLINE for all Mother’s Day gifts for farm pick up is NOON Friday, May 7th (that’s tomorrow folks). Pick up either Saturday or Sunday, 1-4 pm. You can even come out during open hours and enjoy your box under the pavilion with a glass of Illinois Sparkling Co. Bubbly. If you’re a last-minute gift giver, no worries! Come on out to the farm during open hours, and we can help you put together a special gift box.
Farm Open Hours
The farm is open to visitors on weekends. We are open Saturdays and Sundays, 1-4 pm. You can visit with the goats, shop in the farm store “The Real Stand” or enjoy a cheese board or cup of gelato under the pavilion.
As the summer progresses, we are hoping to add regularly scheduled farm tours, tastings and other events featuring our fun-loving goats. Stay tuned for goat yoga with the kids in late May-early June!
Lots of folks are asking about our Farm Dinners! We are hoping to offer an abbreviated season starting in July. We want to make sure we can offer the full experience of dining outside with guests dining communally along our long farm tables. We want to make sure we can do this safely. We encourage everyone to get vaccinated as soon as you’re able. This will make our communal dinners even safer! Thank you.