Tomatoes, Progress, and Clean Water Victory
- Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery
- Sep 2
- 7 min read
September 2nd, 2025
September has arrived at the farm with all the abundance and excitement that late summer brings! Between an overwhelming tomato harvest, some major construction progress, and an important environmental victory worth celebrating, there's so much happening in our corner of the prairie that I hardly know where to start.
Tomato Season
Our Horticulturist Ian Asklund planted quite the variety of tomatoes early this year, and boy, are they delivering on their promise. We're drowning in the most beautiful heirloom tomatoes you've ever seen—in the very best way possible! Chef Garron at Caprae has been creating incredible dishes with these gems, while Ian brings his bounty to both the Champaign and Urbana farmers markets. We are even using Juliet tomatoes in the creamery - dehydrating and mixing them into fresh chevre for an upcoming flavor of the week!
At home, we've been living the simple tomato life: BLTs made with Central Illinois Bakehouse bread, fresh panzanella salads, and my personal favorite—thick slices with just a sprinkle of sea salt. There's something about a perfectly ripe, sun-warmed tomato that captures everything I love about this season!
Celebrating Clean Water Victory
Speaking of things worth celebrating, we're thrilled to host the Prairie Rivers Network Mahomet Aquifer Community Celebration next week! Earlier this month, Governor Pritzker signed SB1723 into law, officially protecting the Mahomet Aquifer from the risks of carbon sequestration. This aquifer provides drinking water to nearly one million people across our state, and now it's protected for generations to come.
This victory for clean water and public health deserves a proper celebration, and we couldn't be more honored to host it. Join us Tuesday, September 9th from 4:30-7:30 PM for an evening of community, live music from the Occasional Cajun Band, delicious food from Caprae, and free gelato! Prairie Rivers Network, Eco-Justice Collaborative, and their partners want to raise a glass (of clean water, naturally) to this incredible achievement.
Registration is required at https://secure.everyaction.com/B1oZotxI_Eul_5gaJlyZVg2 - we'd love to see you there!
Building for the Future
If you've visited us recently, you've probably noticed the construction activity next to our kid barns. We're incredibly excited to share that we've received a $200,000 Tourism Attractions Grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity! This grant, part of a $1.7 million statewide investment supporting tourism attractions across Illinois, is helping us build something pretty special.
Our new multi-use visitor and education center will include a farm retail store, public classroom and demonstration kitchen, and ADA-compliant restrooms. We're also expanding our parking on a newly leased 16.58-acre city parcel and creating an educational walking path around the lake in partnership with Prairie Rivers Network. The total project cost is $400,000, with Compeer Financial providing matching funds.
Construction began this summer, and we're aiming for completion in early 2026. This center will enhance our capacity to host farm tours, cheesemaking workshops, cooking classes, and conservation events, strengthening our role as Champaign County's premier agritourism destination.
We're grateful for this opportunity to better serve our community! Your continued support—whether dining at Caprae, taking a goat hike, joining us for tours, or shopping with us at farmers markets—makes projects like this possible.
Dining Updates at Caprae
Last week marked the end of our Farm to Table dinner season with an absolutely spectacular Low Country Seafood dinner. Guests enjoyed oysters, individual seafood boils, beautiful relish trays, and more coastal-inspired delights. What a way to close out such a successful dinner series!
Now that our themed dinners have wrapped up, Wednesdays return to regular dinner service—which means you can drop in anytime and enjoy Chef Garron's incredible regular menu. The Merry Travelers Band will continue providing the perfect soundtrack under our pavilion from 5-8 PM, and our bar cart will be ready with small bites and drinks. Whether you prefer to listen from the patio while enjoying a full dinner or just grab a drink and soak in the music, Wednesday evenings at the farm continue to be something special.
Chef Garron has been creating weekly specials that highlight our farm's produce, so there's always something new and seasonal to try alongside our regular offerings.
As we transition from the abundance of late summer into the crisp promise of fall, we're reminded of how blessed we are to share this land with such an incredible community. From protecting our water resources to growing the freshest tomatoes you'll taste all year, everything we do here connects back to our commitment to sustainability, quality, and the relationships that make it all meaningful.
Thank you for being part of our story—we can't wait to share what's ahead!
Christina Asklund
Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery
Upcoming Events
Prairie Rivers Network-
Mahomet Aquaifer Community Celebration
Join us as we celebrate PRN passing legislation protecting the Mahomet Aquifer
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, September 9th
Time 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, 4410 N Lincoln Ave, Champaign, IL
Registration Required - Here
Prairie Artist Market
Join us in celebrating our local artists and makers at the farm!
Event Details:
Date: Sunday, September 21st
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, 4410 N Lincoln Ave, Champaign, IL
Admission: FREE
Fall Farm Celebration
Join us in celebrating Fall at the farm! This will be an exciting weekend! More details soon!
Event Details:
Date: Sunday, October 19th
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, 4410 N Lincoln Ave, Champaign, IL
Admission: FREE
Goats & Grooves Music Presents...
Since May, the Merry Travelers have been bringing their groovy, feel-good sound to our farm, and we couldn't love them more! Their lush blend of soul, pop, jazz, and psychedelic rock creates the perfect soundtrack for prairie sunsets.
Join us every Wednesday, under the pavilion from 5-8pm for an evening of incredible music. Holly Monet's soulful vocals and the band's unique musicianship always hit the spot.
Our bar cart will be open with small bites and craft drinks - the perfect way to unwind midweek with great music and farm vibes.
Date: Wednesday's September-October
Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, 4410 N Lincoln Ave, Champaign, IL
Admission: FREE
Goat Hikes
Goat Hikes are led by our seasoned volunteers and knowledgeable staff. We'll explore the Eastern portion of our farm along the pasture and pond with plenty of scenic stops for photos. There is also an opportunity for everyone's favorite part of the hike... the running of the goats!
Event Details:
Tuesday's at 5:30pm
Saturday's at 9am
Location: Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, 4410 N Lincoln Ave, Champaign, IL
Admission: Tickets can be purchased HERE
Farm Tours
Weekly farm tours!
Join us every Friday at 3:00 PM for a behind-the-scenes tour of Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery—a working, regenerative dairy farm in the heart of the prairie.
Event Details:
- $10 per person
- 60-minute tour including cheese sampling
-Tours check in at the red barn
Tickets can be purchased here Walk-ups are welcome based on space
Now accepting requests for private group tours throughout 2025-2026:
- $10 per person
- 60-minute tour including cheese sampling
- Groups of 10-25 people (larger groups by special request)
- Special rates for local K-12 schools and UIUC VetMed groups
Fill out our interest form here or email office@prairiefruitsfarm.com
Volunteer Orientation
Join us on Friday at 4:30 for a volunteer orientation to learn how you can help us with the fall harvest! We need extra hands for the apple, pear and tomato harvests. Find out how you can help! Sign up here
Find Us at a Local Farmers' Market & Grocery
This week, we have very young Angel Food. Available at the markets this weekend: Chevre, Feta, Pelota wedges, goat milk yogurt, Ukrainian Farmers Cheese Arch Angel, Angel Food, Little Bloom, Fleur de la Prairie, and Black Goat.
Chevre Flavor of the week is honey & pepper.
Farm Share is Feta, Kountry Fresh Summer Crisp Salad Mix, and Rosemary Sourdough from Central Illinois Bakehouse. Sign up for a Farm Share HERE
You can find us at the following Farmer Markets:
Every Tuesday till October
Downtown Champaign Plaza
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
The market is every Saturday, May- October.
Grossinger Motors Arena
7:30 AM - 12:00 PM
The market is every Saturday, May- October.
Lincoln Square Mall, Urbana
Saturdays 7:00 AM - 12 PM
The market is every Saturday & Wednesday, May- October.
Downtown Springfield
Wednesdays & Saturdays 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Find Our Cheese at These Retailers
Our award-winning cheeses are available at these fine retailers:
Martinelli's Market (Champaign)
Martinelli's Market (Bloomington)
Pekara Bakery and Bistro (Champaign)
Common Ground Food Coop (Urbana)
Harvest Market (Champaign)
Green Top Grocery (Bloomington)
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market (St Louis and Chicago Locations)
Prairie Food Co-op (Lombard, IL)
Rosewood Farms (Sugar Grove, IL)
Wild Onion Market (Chicago, serving the Rogers Park/West Ridge/Evanston and surrounding areas)
For wholesale inquiries, contact Christina at office@prairiefruitsfarm.com
Prairie Fruits Farm & Caprae Restaurant
Whether celebrating a special occasion or enjoying a casual evening out, Caprae welcomes you with our blend of farm-to-table cuisine and warm hospitality. Our cozy dining room and friendly staff create the perfect atmosphere for any gathering.
Hours & Service
Tuesday-Friday: 4-9 PM Dinner
Saturday: 9 AM-4 PM Brunch
4 PM-9 PM Dinner
Sunday: 9 AM-2 PM Brunch
(Bar open until 4 PM) Farm open till 4 PM
Bar service includes craft drinks, cheese plates, and gelato
Seating Options
Indoor dining room Outdoor patio (weather permitting)
Reservations are appreciated but not required - book through Tock.
Follow us on social media for specials and updates!
*During all open hours, guests can explore our marked trails, visit the goats, and enjoy meals or beverages in our pavilion or on the lawns. Our staff is always happy to chat about our farm, goats, and cheese-making process.
*Please note: No outside food or pets are allowed. All activities are weather-permitting.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at farm life during the seasons.
