Farm News
We got our first sizable snow storm of the season yesterday. The ground was so warm that the snow flakes melted into the mud upon impact. Hopes of enough of the white stuff for a cross-country ski around the farm were dashed. Puddles and mud are everywhere. Such has been the January of 2023.
Erica and Sophie were able to squeeze in a much needed barn cleanout before the snow fell. They worked at breakneck speed all day to scrape, remove and spread the multiple layers of several months of soiled bedding. This time of year, we apply fresh manure to the ground so that it can compost in situ (in place). It's a great way to replenish organic matter in the soil (carbon sequestration baby!). The increasingly pregnant goat girls are lounging in their fresh and lush bed of straw. Every day, their girth expands a little and their appetites and neediness swell.
Cheese Sales and Upcoming Events
We are flush with cheese and we want to share it with you! So, we have a couple of options for you to buy our cheese this weekend.
Champaign-Urbana Winter Farmers' Market--We'll be there this Saturday, January 28th from 8 am to 12 noon. We're running a special on ooey-gooey little bloom on the prairie--buy 2 for the price of 1! We don't make these kinds of deals very often, so if you love runny bloomy rinds, better make the trek to the market to grab a few! Dress them up with a honey drizzle and slather on your favorite warmed bread.
We'll also be bringing our newest cheeses along with trusted favorites:
Fresh chevre (previously frozen): plain, herbs de Provence, cracked pepper
Ukrainian farmhouse cheese (10% of sales going to a humanitarian organization in Ukraine that is helping the country deal with their on-going war)
Fresh mozzarella (limited availability)
Halloumi-grilling cheese-perfect for pan searing and serving warm with a squeeze of lemon juice and a drizzle of honey. Make a simple winter salad of your favorite greens and place the grilled/pan seared halloumi on top--so simple, yet so satisfying.
Angel Food-we have a couple of large wheels that we'll be offering with puff pastry for a "brie en croute" kit. Also, a few mini-brie rounds too.
Little bloom on the prairie: Two for one special of this super ripe AND super delicious batch of mixed milk camembert style bloomy
Mixed milk feta-rich fall milk make this batch worth getting out of bed for!
Moonglo: She's BAACK!! Yes!! late fall batches of moonglo have been aging away for the past three months and our now ready for your enjoyment
Meet the cheese makers tasting at World Harvest Market-Saturday, Jan. 28th, 10 am to 12 noon.
Come meet our newest cheese maker from Ukraine, Tetyana Dyadechko, and Lisa Little, our creamery sales and farm store manager, as they talk about and sample some of our cheeses at World Harvest-Strawberry Fields. The store will have our cheeses for sale as well.
Online Ordering for On-Farm Pick Up
Don't feel like socializing but need some cheese and accompaniments? We can do that NOW! We have cheese, crackers, jams, Joyful Wren Eggs, Blue Moon Farm organic carrots and much more! Order through our online store and pick up your orders on Saturdays (10:30 to 12 noon) OR Wednesdays (4:30-6:00 pm). Please order by 5 pm on Friday for Saturday pick up and by 12 noon on Wed. for Wednesday pick up. You will find your orders inside the cooler of our farm store with your name written on the bag.
Save the Date: February 11th, 11 am to 5 pm--Dote on the Does-Valentine's Day Edition
Pampering our pregnant goats: What better expression of love is there? You can brush them, massaging their faces and just hug them to your hearts' content. They are super needy these days and will welcome the attention.
We plan to have LOADS of special treats for you too: goat cheese truffles, special Valentine's Day cheeses, Ukrainian cheese cake, warm beverages and much more-stay tuned for details as we get closer to the date! You won't want to miss this one.
