Farm News
Balmy February afternoons, sun-drenched orange skies. Confused crocuses open their purple pedals atop last fall's dead leaves. Red-winged black birds set up breeding territories in the cattails, and showy migratory ducks bejewel the calm waters of the farm pond. These are the days of leap year in the age of climate change. Tuesday night's atmospheric clash of warm and cold currents produced some violent winds and rains, and the pressure drop pushed several does into labor the next day. In years past, it was usually a blizzard, resulting in snow-drifted country roads and no one able to reach the farm to help us deliver oodles of baby goats. This year, it is just cold blue skies and the familiar grunts of does in labor. Kidding season has begun in earnest.
The does who have delivered to date are some of our top producers. Their udders are taut with colostrum and milk. Their babies are ravenous, but soon we will start saving milk for goat cheese production.
Happenings at the Farm & Beyond
Come see us at the Champaign Urbana Indoor Farmers' Market this Saturday. We are there every Saturday through the end of April, 8 am to 12 noon.
We're bringing the following:
Jersey Milk Gournay: plain, garlic & herb, everything bagel and spiced cranberry
Ukrainian Farmers' Cheese: think ricotta and cottage cheese having a baby
Angel Food-brie style: petite rounds PLUS large forma wheels (wholes and halves)--super young
Little bloom on the prairie: camembert style bloomy rind--super young
Pelota Roja: raw goat milk "Spanish" style hard cheese--sharp, nutty with a guajillo chile-olive oil rub on the rind
We are also bringing some special accompaniments to go with the cheeses!
We are launching a new weekly CSA-style share with ultimate flexibility. Every week, you'll get cheese, bread and house-made accompaniments. We will have these for sale at the indoor famers' market. This Saturday's share includes:
Angel Food petite brie
Demi-baguette
House-made mission fig jam
House-made candied (Voss) pecans
We are also launching a new "Farm Club" subscription--details forthcoming
Save the dates: Babies & Brunch!! Easter Edition--Saturday March 30th! and then every Saturday and Sunday in April!
Goat Yoga-Pilates comes to the farm in May, featuring our adorable baby goats and certified Pilates instructor Lisa Staples of Living Legacy Pilates.