Farm News
June brings heat. June brings lush abundance. June rains bring tall pastures. June is dairy month-an industry campaign to keep folks drinking milk, eating cheese and licking ice cream cones. For most in the dairy world, the focus is on the products. They might highlight a family farm with adorable children bottle feeding calves. They rarely showcase dairies like ours-pasture-based, goat dairies with impeccable animal welfare standards. We have chosen a path of dairying that is hard, complex and dynamic. The benefits outweigh the costs. The seasonality of our milk and the changing flavors that goats eating diverse pasture produce are the rewards that we relish.
Our new pasture paddocks are completed, and the fences are nice 'n hot. The silvopasture has a new gate, awaiting the arrival of the goats when the rotation time dictates. The milking does and young of the year are now in rotational grazing paddocks. It is a joy to watch them eat. The doelings have a re-purposed trampoline for shade. The milkers fan out into a newly opened paddock, heads down, mouths full of tender grasses and forbs. Our goats have been bred for pasture browsing. They know what to do instinctively; they relish the opportunities to eat fresh forage, even when the temperatures climb.
The garden planting and grounds beautification around the farm continues. We now have a lovely lawn adjacent to the pavilion on which guests can hang out and play games. Our small bites menu is happening, and folks are beginning to discover the amazing food that our chefs are crafting. 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:
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!
Chevre frais: plain, herbs de Provence, cracked pepper and everything bagel seasoning--so fresh and lemony, it screams spring is here!!
Seasonal chevre: chevre with tart cherries!! Harvested from our farm orchard--very limited availability, so come early!
Ukrainian Farmers' Cheese-our cow milk fresh cheese that tastes and behaves like a cross between fresh ricotta and small-curd cottage cheese. Give it a try-you will fall in love!
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!!
Angel Food: mixed milk petite brie--super young and firm this week-try it sliced over sauteed green beans and mushrooms!
"Archangel:" our all-goat milk mini-brie style cheese-aging beautifully, with just the right amount of gooeyness--potato chip worthy!!
Little bloom on the prairie: our mixed milk camembert style beauty-aging beautifully-maybe a light grill (5 minutes) served a top a burger (father's day delight anyone??!!)
Prairie Fire: Our all-goat bloomy rind dusted with smoked paprika-if this doesn't scream father's day cheese, I don't know what does!!
Black goat: our all-goat milk ash-ripened bloomy; aging nicely-tart, earthy, gooey and delicious! Aging nicely this week, with the perfect amount of funk!
Fleur de la Prairie: our all-goat milk bloomy adorned with dried edible flowers and herbs--ACS gold medal in 2022! Aging beautifully--serve with slices of early season peach!!
NEW: BAKED GOODS ADD ONS: Come to our market stand to grab some cheese, but add on a sweet or savory baked good to go with it! This week's baked goods include a tart cherry muffin (made with the farm's own orchard cherries) OR feta & chive scone!!!
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 offerings are limited, so best to sign up to guarantee your share. This Saturday's share is all you need to prepare the perfect brunch for dad:
1 6 oz. chevre with tart cherries
1/2 loaf of CIB country white bread
house-made jam
1 dozen eggs from Joyful Wren Farm (AWA certified)
Farm Open Hours
The farm is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! We are excited to welcome visitors 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.
Wednesdays: Closed to the public. Farm to Table dinner night, reservations and tickets required.
Thursdays 11-9. Lunch and dinner counter service available from our newly remodeled restaurant. 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. Coffee and pastries 9-11. 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).
SPECIAL BRUNCH MENU for FATHER'S DAY, SUNDAY, JUNE 16TH--NO RESERVATIONS REQUIERED!
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 and to chat about the farm. Please no outside food and no pets.
Thank you!
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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.
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 will be 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! June dates are NOW SOLD OUT! July themes just launched! Go on our website NOW to make reservations.
Themes for July
July 3rd
Feast and Fire Celebrate Independence Day with elevated American classics prepared over an open fire.
July 10th
Basque Regional Cuisine Embark on a culinary journey to the Spanish Basque Country, known for its rich culinary traditions.
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.
July 31st
Yucatan Regional Cuisine Explore the vibrant flavors of the Yucatan Peninsula, known for its unique blend of Mayan and Spanish influences.
