Farm News
First things first: I am elated to announce that our little creamery on the prairie took home FOUR (yes 4!) medals at the American Cheese Society Cheese Judging and Competition tonight. We received three gold medals for: little bloom on the prairie, chevre with everything bagel seasoning and mixed milk feta in whey brine. Our Ukrainian farmers cheese took home a bronze medal in a very competitive category for fresh cow milk cheeses. We won medals for all of the cheeses that we entered!!! First time EVER!! We are so proud of our hardworking and dedicated cheese making team.
Back at the humble home front, the "B-list" farm team is keeping the dairy and creamery humming. I am back in the creamery, taking my place in front of the viewing window washing cheese "dishes" and cleaning aging cheese and aging rooms. It feels good to see the walls sparkle and the wheels of moonglo glisten. Cheese making is a hard game; hard physically and challenging intellectually. At the core of great cheese and great cheese making is a crazy dedication to perfecting the craft and keeping the production environment in pristine condition. I have yet to meet a cheese maker who doesn't love cleaning.
The aesthetic of hygiene spills over into all aspects of dairy farming, from the health of the goats to the harvesting of alfalfa hay. This past week, the hay making gods shone their favor on our field. After a spate of sweltering heat and humidity, pock marked by sporadic rain showers, a cooler and drier air front moved into our region. I was able work with a local custom hay farmer to cut, windrow and bale our second cutting alfalfa, just in time to capture peak flowering. At first glance, he was dubious about the quality of our stand. Once it was raked and windrowed, he knew that we had an amazing stand, harvested at just the right time. The 20-acre field yielded 58 large round bales of this gorgeous and (hopefully) delicious alfalfa. Racing against a forecast of rain (remnants of the latest hurricane), we were able to get them into the barns just before the deluge ensued. There is a heart-filling sense of satisfaction standing before barns filled to the brim with fresh hay, and a clean field awaiting the rains for regrowth.
The garden is GROWING!! We are starting to harvest summer squash, and the sweetcorn and watermelon are not too far behind. The farm is looking lush and gorgeous! We now have a lovely lawn adjacent to the pavilion on which guests can hang out and play games. There's a nice breeze under the shade of the pavilion OR you can enjoy the farm's fare in our air-conditioned dining room/café "Caprae." Our small bites and bar snacks menus are happening, and folks are beginning to discover the amazing food that our chefs are crafting. Sunday brunch specials change weekly-the word on the "street" is that we have the best brunch in town! Read about all the happenings below and come visit us!
Happenings at the Farm & Beyond
We are attending BOTH the "Urbana's Market at the Square" AND "Downtown Bloomington Market." The Urbana Market runs 7 AM to 12 noon and the Bloomington Farmers' Market runs 7:30 AM to 12 noon. Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery is in the same location in Urbana as last year (the south end of the market in line with aisle two) but with an expanded footprint (and more offerings). We are sharing space with Central Illinois Bakehouse at the Bloomington Market. Here are this week's offerings:
Moonglo: Our raw goat milk "tomme" style semi-hard cheese is hitting the "streets" this weekend, just in time for July 4th holiday celebrations and summer outdoor eating. The wheels of this cheese are washed with a culture-brine containing pear leaf tea (steeped "Moonglow" pear leaves from our orchard) and Illinois pear wine. The result: a supple, meltable cheese with notes of fruit and nuts--perfect for serving alongside your favorite hard salami or fresh peach wedges
Pelota Roja: our Spanish-style raw goat milk hard cheese is BACK!! --sharp, nutty, spicy--shave it, grate it, slice it and bask in its deliciousness
Mixed-milk feta in whey brine ! Tangy, creamy yet crumbly--just as you remember it!! Crumble it on everything, summer greens salads and whatever is good for grilling! 2024 ACS GOLD MEDAL!!
Chevre frais: plain, herbs de Provence, cracked pepper and everything bagel seasoning--so fresh and lemony, it screams spring is here!! 2024 ACS GOLD MEDAL FOR EVERYTHING BAGEL
Ukrainian Farmers' Cheese: our all-jersey cow milk fresh cheese--the flavor is mild with a slight tang; the texture and mouthfeel are similar to both ricotta and small-curd cottage cheese--eat with fresh berries and honey or use in place of ricotta or cottage in your favorite recipes 2024 ACS BRONZE MEDAL
Gournay: our fresh cow milk cheese that is similar to chevre or mascarpone--plain, garlic & herb and spiced cranberry
Goat milk yogurt!!! Both pints and quarts available this week! Buy your yogurt and then pop over to CIB's stand to grab some of there house-made granola!! FULLY STOCKED ON PINTS AND QUARTS THIS WEEK!
Angel Food: mixed milk petite brie--starting to get a little gooey around the edges--enjoy with some pickled green beans or pickled squash
"Archangel:" our all-goat milk mini-brie style cheese-fudgy and toothsome, perfect for slicing and serving on a picnic cheese board; Urbana Market Special: large-format, half wheels
Little bloom on the prairie: our mixed milk camembert style beauty-grill a round and serve with grilled peaches-young this week 2024 ACS GOLD MEDAL
Black goat: our all-goat milk ash-ripened bloomy; aging nicely-tart, earthy, gooey and delicious! Young this week!
Fleur de la Prairie: our all-goat milk bloomy adorned with dried edible flowers and herbs--ACS gold medal in 2022! Young this week!
Our weekly CSA share offers you unique pairings with ultimate flexibility. Every week, you'll get cheese, bread and house-made accompaniments. We will have these for sale at both the Urbana and Bloomington farmers' markets, but please sign up for shares. This week's share contains everything (except farm-fresh eggs) you need to make the perfect farmers' market frittata:
6 oz. cracked pepper chevre
pint container of our gold medal winning feta in whey brine
half loaf of hearty CIB bread
farm-harvested yellow summer squash The beauty of a frittata recipe is that you can substitute the types of cheese and the supporting ingredients. Click the link on "frittata" (above) to get a basic recipe, with easy substitutions.
Farm Open Hours
The farm is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! Come on out to see all the changes, visit with the goats, check out the amazing locally-sourced food our chefs are crafting and take in fun activities like goat pilates/yoga and goat hikes. We welcome visitors during the following hours:
Tuesdays: Happy Hour! 5-7. Goat Yoga (Pilates) available. Buy tickets online in advance or at the farm before class starts. Bar will be open along with small bites and bar snacks. NOTE: GOAT YOGA/PILATES IS CANCELLED FOR 7/16 BECAUSE THE INSTRUCTOR IS ON VACATION
Wednesdays: Closed to the public. Farm to Table dinner night, reservations and tickets required (see themes and link to reservations below).
Thursdays 11-9. Lunch and dinner counter service available from our newly remodeled restaurant, "Caprae." Find a seat inside or enjoy open seating around the farm. Order at your table or at the bar and pick up inside. Menu items feature local produce and proteins and will change seasonally. Accessible, upscale modern-American farm-to-table dining. Salads, sandwiches, cheese plates and small bites.
Fridays. 11-9. Same as Thursdays
Saturdays 9-9. Farm opens earlier on the weekend. Coffee and pastries available 9-11. Same service 11-9.
Sundays 9-4. Seasonal brunch menu available. Lunch service (same menu) 11-4.
CLOSED MONDAYS. Please respect our staff's needed time to complete farm work and only plan to visit us during open hours.
TAKE A HIKE!! Reserve your spot for a hike with the goats! Now offering two time options:
Thursday Happy Hour Hike with The Goats-5 pm (includes a beverage at the end of the hike)
Saturday morning Hike-11 am (includes cheese and/or gelato sampling). NOTE: Weather permitting--if it is too hot or raining, we will have to cancel the hike for the safety of the goats (and the goat herder, Carol!!).
During all open hours guests can enjoy walking around the farm grounds on marked trails, visiting with the goats and enjoying a meal or beverage sitting under the pavilion or on the lawns. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer any questions about the goats or cheese and to chat about the farm. Please no outside food and no pets.
Thank you!
Please follow us on Facebook and/or Instagram and check your inboxes for future updates.
Goat Yoga-Pilates enjoy some movement & relaxation, featuring our adorable baby goats and certified Pilates instructor Lisa Staples of Living Legacy Pilates. Sign up now for this light-hearted workout. NOTE: CLASS ON 7/16 IS CANCELLED!
BACK IN STOCK: GOAT MILK SOAPS HANDCRAFTED BY THE WRIGHT SOAPERY!! Made with our farm's goat milk and garden herbs, these beauties are available at the farm and at the Bloomington Farmers' Market farm stand.
Farm to Table Dinners: Chefs Garron and Cody are offering pre-fixe multi-course meals featuring locally grown foods and our cheeses, of course. Dinner tickets include non-alcoholic beverages, taxes and gratuity. Wine, beer and cocktails are available for purchase at the farm, or you can pre-purchase a beverage add-on to your meal that includes a welcome cocktail and two full pours of paired wines with dinner. Tickets are selling fast! Go on our website NOW to make reservations.
Check out the special Saturday July 20th Beer Pairings Dinner featuring locally crafted beers from Triptych Brewery
Themes for July and August
July 17th
Farmers Market Basket Savor the bounty of the season with a vegetarian feast featuring the freshest produce from our farm and local farmers markets.
July 24th
East Coast Seafood and Wine Dinner Indulge in a 5-course Atlantic pescatarian meal paired with exquisite wines. Tickets for this special event are $150.00 and include the wine pairings. A representative from Winebow, our wine distributor, will be at the farm to talk about the wines!
July 31st
Yucatan Regional Cuisine Explore the vibrant flavors of the Yucatan Peninsula, known for its unique blend of Mayan and Spanish influences.
August 7th
NOLA White Linen Night
Celebrate the vibrant flavors of New Orleans with our Cajun/Creole-inspired feast. Enjoy local art while savoring the spicy, soulful tastes of the Big Easy.
August 14th
Devil Wears Prada
Indulge in a night of haute cuisine and fashion-forward flavors. This sophisticated dinner pays homage to the iconic film with dishes as stylish as they are delicious.
August 21st
Calabrian Regional Cuisine
Journey to the toe of Italy's boot with our Calabrian-themed dinner. Experience the bold, spicy flavors and rustic charm of this often-overlooked Italian region.
August 28th
Market Vegetarian
Celebrate the bounty of late summer with our farm-fresh vegetarian feast. Savor innovative dishes crafted from the season's finest local produce.
