Farm News
As we turn the page on July and open a new chapter onto August, there are no signs of typical mid-summer drought. In fact, the farm fields are dotted with pools of standing water. Central Illinois has been in the eye of daily deluges from thunderstorms. The pastures and hayfields are guzzling all this moisture, and, coupled with heat, they are growing with abandon.
The dairy team is thinking ahead toward breeding season, and making the most of the smorgasbord of fresh vegetation set before our goats in their pasture rotation. While we have accounted for the nutritional quality of their hay and grain, we have never quantified the nutritional value of the standing forage as we let the goats into new paddocks for grazing. This week, the team collected its first pasture sample to send off to a lab for testing. Once we have the results in hand, our dairy nutritionist can use this information to optimize the goats' diet for health, growth and production.
Every few years, the pasture gets a "make-over." Because it is permanent cover and perennial vegetation, certain species might come to dominate over others, reducing the pastures' diversity and nutritional quality. Over time, the soil can become depleted in certain nutrients or excessive in others, so it is imperative to take soil samples to get a benchmark on soil fertility. Changes in soil fertility can also favor certain plant species over others--grasses predominate over legumes, for example. Once we know what the pasture soils need to grow the plants we want, we peruse the seed catalogues, determine what species we want to re-introduce and then develop a plan for seeding and establishment. Soil linked with pasture; pasture linked with goat health and nutrition; goat milk production and quality linked with cheesemaking-such is the complex web of pastured dairy farming and farmstead cheese making.
The farm garden is taking advantage of the heat and humidity as well. Green tomatoes cling to their vines, while herbs and flowers are spilling over their container pots. The lawn adjacent to the pavilion is set up for guests to 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 simply delicious, 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
Can't say this enough, because everyone is so proud of our team of talented cheese makes for bringing home the medals! We won FOUR (yes 4!) medals at the American Cheese Society Cheese Judging and Competition. Â 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 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:
2024 American Cheese Society Gold Medal Winners Package: $30 (available at both farmers markets and at the farm during open hours)--This Saturday Aug. 3rd is the last time this special will be offered!!!
--Chevre with everything bagel seasoning
--Mixed milk feta in whey brine
--Little bloom on the prairie
Moonglo: Our raw goat milk "tomme" style semi-hard cheese is perfect for snacking and easy meal prep in the hot summer days. 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 2023 ACS Silver Medal
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 2021 Good Food Award
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
Seasonal chevre flavor: peach chevre with cobanero chile flake--pureed local peaches and gentle heat from chile flakes-pretty hard to pass this one up!
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
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!
Angel Food: mixed milk petite brie--young but tasty
"Archangel:" our all-goat milk mini-brie style cheese-fudgy and toothsome, perfect for slicing and serving on a picnic cheese board
Little bloom on the prairie: our mixed milk camembert style beauty-grill a round and serve with grilled peaches- super young this week 2024 ACS GOLD MEDAL
Black goat: our all-goat milk ash-ripened bloomy; we have a few ooey-gooey ones for sale in Urbana; rest are young, firm and tangy
Fleur de la Prairie: our all-goat milk bloomy adorned with dried edible flowers and herbs--some perfectly ripe; most super young--2021 Good Food Award and ACS gold medal in 2022!
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 is the perfect cocktail hour snack:
AWARD-WINNING little bloom on the prairie
sunflower honey
CIB demi-baguette
Koss Family Farm's summer crisp lettuce
Recipe for baked bloomy rind cheese included
Farm Open Hours
The farm is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! Come on out to see all the new face of the farm, stroll along groomed paths, 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.
Wednesdays: Closed to the public. Farm to Table dinner night, reservations and tickets required (see themes and link to reservations below).Â
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.Â
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.Â
CLOSED MONDAYS. Please respect our staff's needed time to complete farm work and only plan to visit us during open hours.Â
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.Â
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.
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. New t-shirts with farm's new logo available too!
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. Stay tuned for expanded farm to table offerings coming in September!!
Themes for August
August 7th
NOLA White Linen NightÂ
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 PradaÂ
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 VegetarianÂ
Celebrate the bounty of late summer with our farm-fresh vegetarian feast. Savor innovative dishes crafted from the season's finest local produce.
