Farm News
After weeks of silence, there are bird calls popping up on my Merlin birding app that I haven't heard since May. Swainson's Thrush, Veery and Restart; the fall migrant wave has begun. While the sightings of monarch butterflies have been scant, the painted lady and fritillary butterflies have been plentiful, many becoming meals for the spiders along the creek path. The cooler temperatures and shorter days have pushed some of the goat girls into heat cycles. The range of buck odors has expanded to the far reaches of their pasture. The sunsets come earlier, show-stoppers nonetheless.
As many of you know, I (Leslie Cooperband) have continued to write the farm's weekly blog post, even though we sold the farm in February. The new owners have grown some sturdy goat dairy farming and cheese making sea legs and undertaken a major facelift of the farm, the farm kitchen, farm-to-table and agri-tourism offerings. The farm looks beautiful, the goats are healthy, the cheese is outstanding and award-winning. As such, my roles as consultant, cheerleader and coach have diminished. I am taking a two-month break from writing the farm blog, as Wes and I embark on long road trip journey across most of the west coast. Have no fear, the farm's weekly newsletter will continue. Our greatest hope is that our community will continue to support this little goat farm on the prairie, even as it evolves and grows. Stay tuned for future updates from me; we live next door after all.
The farm garden is bursting with diversity as we move into fall. Kohlrabi bulbs are sizing up. We are harvesting ears of baby corn-super excited about this new crop. Pumpkins and winter squash are coloring up amidst the jungle of vines. The zinnias are a rainbow of brilliance.
The lawn adjacent to the pavilion is set up for guests to hang out and play games. There's a nice breeze under the shade of the pavilion OR you can enjoy the farm's fare in our air-conditioned dining room/café "Caprae." Crisp September evenings are perfect for enjoying a cheese and pickle plate while watching the sunset. Our small bites and bar snacks menus are simply delicious, and folks are beginning to discover the amazing food that our chefs are crafting. Sunday brunch specials change weekly-the word on the "street" is that we have the best brunch in town! Follow our Caprae Restaurant on Facebook and Instagram and come visit us!
Market offerings
We are attending BOTH the "Urbana's Market at the Square" AND "Downtown Bloomington Market." The Urbana Market runs 7 AM to 12 noon and the Bloomington Farmers' Market runs 7:30 AM to 12 noon. Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery is in the same location in Urbana as last year (the south end of the market in line with aisle two) but with an expanded footprint (and more offerings). We are sharing space with Central Illinois Bakehouse at the Bloomington Market. We will have cheese available at the CIB booth at the downtown Champaign (Tuesday) and Springfield Thursday (Fairgrounds) market as well. NEW ADDITIONS: We now have a select offering of Central Illinois Bakehouse (CIB) breads, crackers and granola at our market cheese stand in Urbana. All are EXCELLENT vehicles for enjoying our cheeses and yogurt. Check out the farm merch while you're there!
Here are this week's offerings:
Blushing Goat: Our beautiful and delicious seasonal wash-rind cheese. This stunner is washed with a semi-dry, home-style peach cider from Brick River Brewery in St. Louis. The peachy golden hue is reminiscent of september sunsets. The flavor is mild yet slightly yeasty (like a delicate fermented beverage).
Moonglo: Our raw goat milk "tomme" style semi-hard cheese is perfect for snacking and easy meal prep in the hot summer days. The wheels of this cheese are washed with a culture-brine containing pear leaf tea (steeped "Moonglow" pear leaves from our orchard) and Illinois pear wine. The result: a supple, meltable cheese with notes of fruit and nuts--perfect for serving alongside your favorite hard salami or fresh peach wedges 2023 ACS Silver Medal
Pelota Roja: our Spanish-style raw goat milk hard cheese is BACK!! --sharp, nutty, spicy--shave it, grate it, slice it and bask in its deliciousness 2021 Good Food Award
Mixed-milk feta in whey brine! Tangy, creamy yet crumbly--just as you remember it!! Crumble it on everything, summer greens salads and whatever is good for grilling! 2024 ACS GOLD MEDAL!!
Chevre frais: plain, herbs de Provence, cracked pepper and everything bagel seasoning--so fresh and lemony, it screams spring is here!! 2024 ACS GOLD MEDAL FOR EVERYTHING BAGEL
Seasonal chevre flavors: dried tomato chevre returns!! chevre with blueberry-jalapeno compote is available but limited
Ukrainian Farmers' Cheese: our all-jersey cow milk fresh cheese--the flavor is mild with a slight tang; the texture and mouthfeel are similar to both ricotta and small-curd cottage cheese--eat with fresh berries and honey or use in place of ricotta or cottage in your favorite recipes 2024 ACS BRONZE MEDAL
Goat milk yogurt!!! Both pints and quarts available this week! Buy your yogurt and then add a bag of CIB granola! This will become your breakfast of champions!
Angel Food: mixed milk petite brie--super young this week
"Archangel:" our all-goat milk mini-brie style cheese-beautifully ripe this week with the perfect amount of gooeyness
Black goat: our all-goat milk ash-ripened bloomy-ripening nicely
Little bloom on the prairie: our mixed milk camembert-style bloomy-super young this week
Our weekly CSA share offers you unique pairings with ultimate flexibility. Every week, you'll get cheese, bread and house-made accompaniments. We will have these for sale at both the Urbana and Bloomington farmers' markets, but please sign up for shares. This week's share provides you with all you need to make a simple pasta meal:
--tomato chevre
--Italian tomato paste
--a box of pasta
--CIB demi-baguette
Farm Open Hours
The farm OPEN HOURS have changed. We now offer pre-fixe farm dinners on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Tuesday evenings are all about goat fun (choose your own adventure of either a goat hike OR goat yoga) followed by Happy Hour and "Taco Tuesday." Saturday goat hikes at 11 am continue as well. When you come during open hours, you can stroll along groomed paths, visit with the goats, enjoy the amazing locally-sourced food and take in the fun activities. The pavilion is a great place to savor our special cocktails, along with a cheese plate! It the perfect antidote to the stresses of daily life.
Fall hours are:
Mondays: Closed to the public (we are recharging our batteries for the rest of the week)
Tuesdays: Happy Hour and Taco Tuesday! 5-8 pm. Goat Yoga (Pilates) and Goat Hikes are available. Buy tickets online in advance or at the farm. Bar will be open along with small bites and bar snacks. Check out our family-friendly taco menu too!
Wednesdays and Thursdays: Closed to the public. Farm to Table dinner night, reservations and tickets required (see themes and link to reservations below).
Fridays: 11 am to 9 pm: Open to the public-no reservations required. Come check out the farm's restaurant "Caprae." Find a seat inside or enjoy open seating under the pavilion. Order at your table or at the bar and pick up inside. Menu items feature local produce and proteins and will change seasonally. Accessible, upscale modern-American farm-to-table dining. Salads, sandwiches, cheese plates and small bites. Play some lawn games, take a walk or visit with the goats
Saturdays 11-9. Special breakfast/brunch menu along with the regular Caprae menu. Guided Goat Hike at 11 AM!
Sundays 9-4. Seasonal brunch menu available from 9 am to 2pm; small bites menu from 2-4pm.
TAKE A HIKE!! Reserve your spot for a hike with the goats!
Tuesday evening-5 pm OR Saturday morning Hike-11 am (includes cheese and/or gelato sampling). NOTE: Weather permitting--if it is too hot or raining, we will have to cancel the hike for the safety of the goats (and the goat herder, Carol!!).
During all open hours guests can enjoy walking around the farm grounds on marked trails, visiting with the goats and enjoying a meal or beverage sitting under the pavilion or on the lawns. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer any questions about the goats or cheese and to chat about the farm. Please no outside food and no pets.
Thank you!
Please follow us on Facebook and/or Instagram and check your inboxes for future updates.
Goat Yoga-Pilates enjoy some movement & relaxation, featuring our adorable baby goats and certified Pilates instructor Lisa Staples of Living Legacy Pilates. Sign up now for this light-hearted workout.
GOAT MILK SOAPS HANDCRAFTED BY THE WRIGHT SOAPERY!! Made with our farm's goat milk and garden herbs, these beauties are available at the farm and at the Bloomington Farmers' Market farm stand. New t-shirts with farm's new logo available too!
GOAT MILK GELATO IS BACK!! At long last, Goat & Pail is producing goat milk gelato for the farm store using the farm's goat milk. Smooth, creamy and refreshing--available in both cups and pints.
Farm Stays!! The farm's log home is now available for overnight stays and rentals. It's a great way to take in the serenity of the farm and hang with some adorable goats. You will have upfront access to world class farmstead and artisan cheeses as well as farm-to-table cuisine. Check out the listing and book your stay!
Farm to Table Dinners: Chefs Garron Sanchez and Cody Butler are offering pre-fixe multi-course meals featuring locally grown foods and our cheeses, of course. Dinner tickets include non-alcoholic beverages, taxes and gratuity. Wine, beer and cocktails are available for purchase at the farm, or you can pre-purchase a beverage add-on to your meal that includes a welcome cocktail and two full pours of paired wines with dinner. Tickets are selling fast! Go on our website NOW to make reservations. Dinners tickets are now available for Wednesdays and Thursdays.
September Themes
Sept 11th & 12th
Greek Regional Cuisine
Transport yourself to the Mediterranean! We're featuring Abundant Pastures as our farm partner for an authentic Greek feast with a Midwest twist
Sept 18th & 19th
Late Summer Harvest
Experience culinary magic with Guest Chef Keith Potter from Sadelle's in Dallas, TX. Enjoy the bounty of late summer through the lens of a renowned chef.
Sept 25th, 26th, 27th & 28th
Oktoberfest
Prost! We're bringing Bavaria to Illinois with our Four-Day Oktoberfest celebration. Traditional German dishes meet Prairie Fruits Farm's local flair. We will feature a different local micro-brewery each night!
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