As the leaves turn and the air grows crisp, fall ushers in a season of adventure and community. While the world buzzes with autumn activities - from school events to small-town homecomings - we at Prairie Fruits Farm invite you to experience the season's magic in our own little corner of the prairie.
A Cornucopia of Fall Experiences
This autumn, we're offering a feast for the senses:
1. Farm-to-Table Dinners: Savor the bounty of our land with meticulously crafted meals that celebrate the season's harvest.
2. A Very Goaty Halloween: Join us for a uniquely "Prairie Fruits" take on Halloween festivities. It's sure to be a treat!
3. Local Farmers Markets: Find us at the heart of your community, alongside fellow local vendors. Your support here ripples through the entire local food ecosystem.
4. Caprae Restaurant: Experience the farm's flavors transformed into culinary delights at our on-site restaurant.
5. Meet Our Goats: The true stars of our farm await your visit. These charming animals are the foundation of everything we do.
More Than Just an Outing
When you choose to spend time with us, you're doing more than just attending an event. You're:
- Supporting local agriculture and sustainable food systems
- Strengthening our community's economic fabric
- Possibly even supporting your neighbors (you never know who's behind that local business!)
- Creating memories and traditions that celebrate our shared land and values
Our Invitation to You
This fall, we extend our warmest welcome to you. Whether you're seeking a serene escape from the bustle of daily life, looking to support local businesses, or simply craving the joy that our small prairie oasis can provide, we have something for you.
We invite you to:
- Breathe in the crisp autumn air
- Taste the flavors of our land
- Connect with the animals and people who make our farm special
- Become part of our story this fall
Join us in embracing the season's bounty and beauty. At Prairie Fruits Farm, you're not just a visitor - you're part of our community.
We can't wait to welcome you home to the farm this fall!
Looking Ahead
Beetlejuice Farm to Table Dinner (October 23-24th & 30-31st): It's showtime! Get ready for a spooktacular dining experience that's strange and unusual. Step into the world of Beetlejuice with our ghoulishly delicious 5-course menu:
1. Crudite
Blushing Goat, Ramp, Carrot Foam, Broccolini, Beet Chip
2. Caprese
Mozzarella, Basil Pesto, Tomato, Ciabatta
3. Shrimp Cocktail
Bullhorn Pepper Cocktail Sauce, Lettuce
4. Beetlejuice Raviolo
Goat Cheese, Green Tomato Chutney, Tikka Masala Sauce
5. Mister Tallyman's Zagnut
Chocolate, Coconut, Peanut Butter and Ripe Banana
Costumes are encouraged, but not required.
Don't miss this ghostly gourmet adventure - it's guaranteed to be the most fun you'll have this side of the afterlife! Tickets HERE
A Very Goaty Halloween: Join us for two spooktacular Sundays:
October 20th & 27th
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Kick off the fun with our Family Goat Hike at 1 PM!
Hike Tickets: $20 per person
https://www.exploretock.com/.../goaty-halloween-family...
More goat-tastic activities await:
Boo-tiful Photo Booth with Goats
Goat Grooming
Pumpkin Painting
Spooky Caricatures (select times only)
Face Painting (select times only)
Activity tickets: $5 each, available at our welcome trailer
Treat your taste buds:
Cheese sampling all day
Apple cider & cider croughnuts
Seasonal local beers
'Spooky' themed cocktails
Festive fall snacks
Don't miss this fa-boo-lous fall celebration! Perfect for families, couples, and goat enthusiasts of all ages.
Farm to Table Dinners: A Culinary Journey
We're thrilled to invite you to our Farm to Table Dinners, a gastronomic adventure crafted by our talented Chefs Garron Sanchez and Cody Butler. These pre-fixe multi-course meals showcase the best of locally grown foods and, of course, our artisanal cheeses.
What's Included:
Multi-course meal featuring local ingredients
Non-alcoholic beverages
Meet the Chef and local producers
Beverage Add-on Option:
Enhance your dining experience with our beverage add-on, which includes:
A welcome cocktail
Two pours of paired wines with dinner
For more details on these events and to secure your spot, visit https://www.exploretock.com/prairie-fruits-farm. Remember, these special dinners tend to sell out quickly, so don't wait to make your reservations!
As always, Caprae continues to be a place where the farm's bounty meets culinary creativity. Whether you're joining us for a themed dinner or a regular dining experience, you're in for a treat that truly captures the essence of Prairie Fruits Farm - with maybe just a touch of the otherworldly this Halloween season!
From the Creamery
Visit us this weekend to experience these artisanal cheeses and discover your new favorite. Each cheese reflects our commitment to quality, seasonality, and the rich flavors of our farm. Don't miss your chance to savor these delectable cheeses - they'll be available at Caprae and at our farmers market stands this weekend.
Award-Winning Cheeses
Mixed-milk Feta in Whey Brine
***2024 ACS GOLD MEDAL***
Tangy and creamy yet crumbly, our feta is versatile perfection. Crumble it on summer salads or your favorite grilled dishes for an instant flavor boost.
Chevre Frais: Everything Bagel
***2024 ACS GOLD MEDAL***
Our fresh, lemony chevre, elevated with everything bagel seasoning. Also available in plain, herbs de Provence, and cracked pepper varieties.
Moonglo
***2023 ACS Silver Medal***
A raw goat milk "tomme" style semi-hard cheese, washed with a culture-brine of pear leaf tea and Illinois pear wine. Expect notes of fruit and nuts - perfect with hard salami or fresh peach wedges.
Pelota Roja
***2021 Good Food Award***
Our Spanish-style raw goat milk hard cheese. Sharp, nutty, and spicy - shave it, grate it, slice it, and savor its deliciousness.
Ukrainian Farmers' Cheese
***2024 ACS BRONZE MEDAL***
An all-jersey cow milk fresh cheese with a mild, slightly tangy flavor. Its texture is reminiscent of both ricotta and small-curd cottage cheese. Enjoy with fresh berries and honey or use in your favorite recipes.
Seasonal Specialties
Blushing Goat
Our beautiful wash-rind cheese, bathed in semi-dry crisp apple cider from Brick River Brewery. Its peachy golden hue evokes Fall sunsets, while its flavor is mild and slightly yeasty.
Seasonal Chevre Flavor
This weekend, don't miss our seasonal flavored chevre!
Bloomy Rind Selection
- Archangel: All-goat milk mini-brie style cheese
- Little Bloom on the Prairie: Mixed milk camembert-style bloomy
Farm Fresh Delights
Goat Milk Yogurt
Available in pints and quarts. Pair it with CIB granola for a breakfast of champions!
Find Us at Local Farmers' Markets
Speaking of markets, we're thrilled to announce our presence at multiple farmers' markets this season. You can find us at both Urbana's Market at the Square and the Downtown Bloomington Market this weekend.
- Urbana's Market at the Square: Open from 7 AM to 12 noon. Look for us at the south end of the market, in line with aisle two. We've expanded our footprint this year, which means more delicious offerings for you!
- Downtown Bloomington Market: Running from 7:30 AM to 12 noon. Find us next to Martinelli's Market. We have a delightful selection of cheese and farm merchandise available. We also bring our farm produce to this market! GOAT MILK SOAPS HANDCRAFTED BY THE WRIGHT SOAPERY!! Made with our farm's goat milk and garden herbs are available at the farm stand and the Bloomington market.
For our Champaign friends, our cheeses are also available at the Central Illinois Bakehouse (CIB) booth at the downtown Champaign (Tuesday).
While you're at our stand, don't forget to check out our farm merchandise. It's a great way to take a piece of Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery home with you.
Cheese & Bread Farm Shares
We're excited to highlight our weekly CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share program, offering you a unique culinary adventure with the flexibility to create delicious meals at home. Each week, you'll receive a carefully curated selection of our artisanal cheeses, freshly baked bread, and house-made accompaniments.
This week's share features a few of our favorite things...
Little Bloom
Nat's Nuts
Rena's Honey
CIB Ciabatta
While these delightful ingredients will be available for purchase at both the Urbana and Bloomington farmers' markets, we encourage you to sign up for our CSA shares. It's the perfect way to ensure you never miss out on our weekly offerings and to support our farm directly.
Remember, our CSA shares offer you the chance to experiment with new flavor combinations each week. We can't wait to see what culinary creations you come up with!
Farm Open Hours & Events
We're excited to announce our updated fall hours and events! Whether you're looking for a relaxing stroll, a unique dining experience, or some quality time with our goats, we have something for everyone.
Weekly Schedule:
- Mondays: Closed (We're recharging for the week ahead!)
- Tuesdays (5-8 PM): Happy Hour & Taco Tuesday
- Sip & Stretch Yoga (Pilates) and Goat Hikes available
- Bar open with small bites and family-friendly taco menu
- Wednesdays & Thursdays: Farm to Table dinners (reservation required)
- Fridays (11 AM - 9 PM): Open to public, no reservations needed
- Visit our restaurant "Caprae" for local, seasonal fare
- Saturdays (11 AM - 9 PM): Regular Caprae menu
- Guided Goat Hike at 11 AM
- Sundays (9 AM - 4 PM): Brunch menu (9 AM - 2 PM), small bites (2-4 PM)
Special Activities:
- Goat Hikes: Tuesdays at 5 PM (includes a beverage) or Saturdays at 11 AM (includes cheese sampling)
- Sip & Stretch Yoga-Pilates: Join certified instructor Lisa Staples for a light-hearted workout
Farm Stays:
Our cozy log home is now available for overnight stays! Immerse yourself in farm life, enjoy our artisan cheeses, and experience farm-to-table cuisine. Book your stay for a unique getaway!
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 allowed. All activities are weather-permitting.
Stay updated by following us on Facebook and Instagram, and keep an eye on your inbox for future announcements!
Join us in embracing this beautiful season of change, where every day brings new colors, flavors, and experiences to our little corner of the prairie. Whether you visit us at the farm or at one of the markets, we're excited to share our little corner of the prairie with you!