Christmas on the Farm: December Updates & Celebrations
- Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
December 10th, 2025
December arrived in a flash—bringing snow, ice, and cold temperatures—but the warmth of the holiday season has illuminated every corner of Prairie Fruits Farm. Thanksgiving drew friends and family to our special Friendsgiving celebration, and overnight, Caprae transformed into a festive winter wonderland. The decorations match the warmth of Chef Garron's new winter menu, seasonal cocktails will have you saying "ho ho ho," and our new farm store is taking beautiful shape.
Christmas at Caprae
We're welcoming you to Christmas on the farm through the end of the year. From festive decorations to seasonal menus, Caprae has embraced the holiday spirit completely.
Winter Menu & Seasonal Cocktails
Chef Garron Sanchez's winter menu showcases the best of the season from local farms and producers including Abundant Farms and Kilgus Farmstead. Each dish brings warmth to cold winter nights with thoughtful flavor combinations and exceptional local ingredients.
Winter Menu Highlights:
Braised Short Rib | potato and herb crusted beef, Janie's Mill polenta finished with chèvre frais, pickled onion, beef jus
Ginger Maple Glazed Pork Chop | Kilgus Farmstead center-cut bone-in pork chop, braised greens, farro, roasted apple
Mushroom Risotto | Cahokia rice, pecorino romano, chèvre frais, soft duck egg, mushroom brodo
Seasonal Cocktails: Our festive drink menu features creative winter flavors that pair beautifully with the season. Stop by the bar to explore the full selection.
Weekend Brunch with Holiday Flair
Our brunch service continues strong with crowd favorites like the Farmstead Hash and Biscuits & Gravy. For the holidays, we've elevated the experience with special touches:
Holiday Bloody Mary Bar Choose your skewer:
Caprae Classic ($12) | cured meats, olives, pepperoncini, cornichon
Traditional ($12) | bacon, celery, Moonglo cheese, olive, cornichon
Jambon Beurre ($15) | Kilgus Farmstead ham slider, chèvre mousse, brioche, radish, cornichon
Holiday Mimosas ($11) Flavors: Orange, Cranberry, Pineapple, Grapefruit, Apple Cider
Silvertree Spirits Specials Silvertree has been a staple throughout our brunch and dinner cocktail list.
This month we're featuring:
$5 off Silvertree tasting flights (now $20)
Take home a bottle:
Down East Vodka $40 Ring Neck Rye $55,
Cow Creek Bourbon $65
Reserve your table HERE!
Around the Farm
Dairy Update: Winter Rest & Spring Preparations
The farm team has been ensuring our goats stay dry and warm throughout winter. We're approaching our final milking of the year, allowing our does to rest through the remainder of their pregnancies.
Kidding Season 2026:
First kids expected early March
Volunteer orientations begin mid-February
Sign-ups managed through Bloomerang
Interested in bottle-feeding baby goats this spring? Sign up HERE to receive orientation notifications.
We're also excited to share that we've been awarded a grant to install a rainwater collection system at the North Paddock—another step forward in our commitment to sustainable farm practices.
Creamery Milestone: National Distribution
We're thrilled to welcome Misfit Market as a distributor of our cheese! They'll be offering our Everything Bagel Chèvre and Farmer's Cheese to customers across the country.
Misfit Market aligns perfectly with our values: sustainability, fighting food waste, and building strong relationships with farmers and producers. Our first orders ship this week—if you're already a Misfit customer, look for us in your next delivery!
Farm Store Progress
The farm store is moving right along! To everyone who pledged to our Kickstarter campaign this fall: thank you. You should have been contacted about your rewards by now.
Current Progress:
Drywall installed ✓
Lighting installed ✓
Power connected ✓
HVAC installation underway
We've been working with local educators to develop a diverse workshop and class schedule. If you're interested in leading a workshop, please reach out to office@prairiefruitsfarm.com (Attn: Kristine).
Grand opening date announcement coming very soon!
A Reflection on Community
As we move closer to Christmas, I'd like to pause and reflect on the year we've shared and the community we're building here at the farm.
We wouldn't be doing this work if we didn't first love the farm, the goats, and this land—but sharing it with you makes everything more meaningful. We're inspired not only by nature but by the community around us that helps us build, grow stronger, and give more.
Thank you for your support throughout 2025.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Christina Asklund
Director of Business Development
Upcoming Events
Santa Goats Holiday Photo Booth
Updated Dates!
Santa Goats? Yes, Please!
When: Saturday & Sunday, December 20-21
Time: 11am-1pm both days
We're dressing a few of our goats as Santas and they're ready for their close-up. Bring your camera (or just use your phone). Visit with the herd. Hot chocolate available.
Details:
$5 per seating (1-6 people) with the goats
Bring your own camera/phone
Visit with the herd after photos
Hot chocolate available
Stop by Caprae for brunch before or after Brunch Specials:
Bloody Mary and Mimosa specials available
Brunch served 9am-2pm both days
Reservations recommended (we'll be busy) for brunch
No reservations needed for goat photos - just show up between 11am-1pm. Come in holiday attire (dress for the weather)if you want. All ages welcome. Perfect for holiday cards, Instagram content, or just pure joy.
Ring in the New Year at Caprae
We're ending 2025 with a celebration! Join us for a special New Year's Eve dinner with three seating times to choose from. Come early and celebrate at home afterward, or arrive late to enjoy a champagne toast and ring in 2026 with us at the farm.
New Year's Eve Five-Course Menu:
Lobster Roll | Japanese milk bread, yuzu kosho aioli, chive, pickled aji dulce
Tuna Crudo | avocado mousse, black garlic vinaigrette, mandarin oil, chili crisp, burnt tortilla salt
Seafood Pasta | squid ink bucatini, uni butter, lobster, blue crab, scallops, lemon, herbs
Braised Short Rib | black truffle risotto, beef jus, crispy shallots, furikake
Pumpkin Pot de Crème | candied pecans, flaky sea salt, maple whip
Non-seafood options available for courses 1-3 upon request
Seating Times:Â 5pm, 7pm, 10pm Reservations:Â Here
Find Us at a Local Farmers' Market & Grocery
You can find us at the following Farmer Markets:
The market is Third Saturday, December 20th.
Bloomington Performing Arts Center
9 AM - 12:00 PM
CU Indoor Farmers Market
The market is every Saturday, November - April.
Lincoln Square Mall, Urbana
Hours: 8 AM - 12 PM
The market is Third Saturday, December 20th.
Hours: 8am- 12pm
Location: At the Union Station, Springfield
Holiday shopping just got easier.
We've updated our online store with new gift box options. Order now for pickup at the farm, at our farmers market stands, or we can ship. Pick a gift box out or create your own! Check it out here
Farm Fresh Starter | $35 Perfect introduction to the farmFresh chèvre (choice of flavor), CIB demi baguette, 2oz local honey, Potters crackers, farm info card
Prairie Morning | $55 Start the day with local flavorsMad Goat Coffee (16oz), CIB granola, 8oz local honey, 16oz local fruit butter, fresh chèvre, farm info
Find Our Cheese at These Retailers
Our award-winning cheeses are available at these fine retailers:
Martinelli's Market (Champaign)
Martinelli's Market (Bloomington)
Salt Fork Food Works Springfield Food Hub
Pekara Bakery and Bistro (Champaign)
Common Ground Food Coop (Urbana)
Harvest Market (Champaign)
Green Top Grocery (Bloomington)
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market (St Louis and Chicago Locations)
Prairie Food Co-op (Lombard, IL)
Rosewood Farms (Sugar Grove, IL)
Wild Onion Market (Chicago, serving the Rogers Park/West Ridge/Evanston and surrounding areas)
For wholesale inquiries, contact Christina at office@prairiefruitsfarm.com
Prairie Fruits Farm & Caprae Restaurant
Whether celebrating a special occasion or enjoying a casual evening out, Caprae welcomes you with our blend of farm-to-table cuisine and warm hospitality. Our cozy dining room and friendly staff create the perfect atmosphere for any gathering.
Hours & Service
Tuesday-Friday: 4-9 PM Dinner
Saturday: 9 AM-4 PM Brunch
4 PM-9 PM Dinner
Sunday: 9 AM-2 PM Brunch
Bar service includes craft drinks, cheese plates, and gelato
Christmas Week Hours:Â Closed December 24+25 | Regular hours resume December 26th
Seating Options
Indoor dining room and Outdoor patio (weather permitting)
Reservations are appreciated but not required - book through Tock.
Follow us on social media for specials and updates!
*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 are allowed. All activities are weather-permitting.
Follow us on  Facebook and Instagram, for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at farm life during the seasons.