Welcome to 2026
- Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery
- Jan 25
- 4 min read
January 25th, 2026
Our Caprae team returned from winter break this past week ready to welcome guests back to the table. Mother Nature had other plans for the weekend, but we'll resume regular hours Tuesday, January 27th with Taco Night.
Chef Garron Sanchez spent the break developing menus for upcoming events including Champaign Restaurant Week, Valentine's weekend, and Mardi Gras. He's also refreshed the winter menu with new dishes:
Winter Greens Waldorf with frisee, endive, radicchio, purple kale, watermelon radish, honeycrisp apple, celery, candied pecans, roasted grapes, and creamy citrus vinaigrette
Crab Cavatelli featuring house-made pasta, jumbo lump blue crab, saffron cream, and arugula
Panelle, a chickpea fritter served with Bianco DiNapoli Palermo sauce, pickled fennel, toasted sesame, frisee, and feta.
Preparing for Our Grand Opening
Behind the scenes, we've been finalizing details for the Farm Store and Classroom Grand Opening Celebration and our class offerings. The lineup of classes ranges from pasta making and fermentation to soap crafting and stained glass work. We're looking forward to sharing these hands-on experiences with you throughout the year.
Kidding Season Approaches
In the dairy, herd manager Rose Rutzen and her team are preparing for kidding season. Rose has sent orientation details to our volunteer network through Bloomerang. If you've joined our volunteer group, check your email for sign-up information. Questions? Contact Rose at rose@prairiefruitsfarm.com.
Our does are healthy and comfortable as they approach kidding. Join us February 14-15 from 11am-1pm for Dote on the Does, an opportunity to visit the barn, learn about our kidding preparations, and help pamper our expectant mothers. We'll have hot chocolate available, and Caprae will be open for brunch. We're accepting monetary donations as well as full-sized bath towels, beach towels, and newspapers to support kidding season care.
In the Creamery
Our creamery team is organizing our annual audit, an essential process that ensures our systems and practices meet the standards we've set for ourselves. We're also fulfilling another Misfits Market order this week with Farmer's Cheese and Everything Bagel Chèvre heading to customers nationwide.
Thank you for visiting us at winter farmers markets. We appreciate your support and look forward to bringing you a taste of the farm throughout the coming months.
Looking Ahead
As we settle into 2026, we're grateful for the community that continues to support our work. Whether you join us at Caprae for dinner, visit the does in the barn, pick up cheese at the farmers market, or sign up for one of our new classes, you're helping sustain a working farm committed to regenerative agriculture and artisan craft.
The coming months will be full of activity as kidding season transforms our barns and the classroom opens new opportunities to gather, learn, and connect. We're thankful you're part of this journey with us.
See you at the farm.
Christina Asklund
Director of Business Development
Upcoming Events
Champaign Restaurant Week
January 28th - February 7th, 4-9pm
Join us at Caprae for Restaurant Week! We have a special pre fixed dinner available for the week long celebration. Check out the menu and reserve your table Here
Farm Store & Classroom Grand Opening Celebration
Saturday, February 7th, 5-7pm
Join us for an evening of gratitude and celebration as we officially open the doors to our new Farm Store and Classroom.
RSVP Here
Valentine's Week Celebration
February 11th - 14th, 4-9pm
Enjoy a three-course menu curated by Executive Chef Garron Sanchez, with several options available at each course. Reserve your table Here
Dote on the Does
Saturday & Sunday, February 14th - 15th, 11am-1pm
Dote on the Does invites you to celebrate these expectant mothers during the most crucial phase of their pregnancy. This intimate, educational experience offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how we care for our pregnant does and prepare for the upcoming kidding season. RSVP Here
Mardi Gras Celebration
February 17th, 4-9pm
Laissez les bons temps rouler! Join us as we celebrate Mardi Gras on the farm! Chef Garron is planning a 3 course dinner menu celebrating New Orleans cuisine. More info coming soon!
New! The Orchard Room: February Class Schedule
Find Us at a Local Farmers' Market & Grocery
You can find us at the following Farmer Markets:
CU Indoor Farmers Market
The market is every Saturday
Hours:Â 8 AM - 12 PM
Location:Â Lincoln Square Mall
The market is every third Saturday
Hours: 9am - 12pm
Location: Bloomington Grossinger Center
The market is every third Saturday
Hours: 8am- 12pm
Location: At the Union Station, Springfield
Find Our Cheese at
These Retailers
Our award-winning cheeses are available at these fine retailers:
Martinelli's Market (Champaign)
Martinelli's Market (Bloomington)
Salt Fork Food Works Springfield Food Hub
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 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
Seating Options
Indoor dining room and Outdoor patio (weather permitting)
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.