As the golden hues of autumn paint our landscape, Prairie Fruits Farm and Caprae are alive with the spirit of harvest and preparation. This past week has been a whirlwind of activity, each moment a reminder of the changing seasons and the cycles of farm life.
Farm Happenings
Our winter squash patch yielded a bountiful harvest, giving us an abundance of pumpkins and assorted squashes. These colorful fruits of our labor not only promise delicious meals ahead but also add a festive touch to our surroundings.
We also geared up for "The Bleed," our annual pre-breeding season event. This crucial task involves partnering with University of Illinois veterinary students to draw blood samples from our entire herd. It's a win-win situation: the students gain invaluable hands-on experience, while we efficiently complete a task that would otherwise take our small dairy team hours. This testing is vital to maintain our herd's health certifications - we're proud to say we've been confirmed negative for CAE, CL, and Johne's disease since 2005.
Caprae's Autumn Flair
The harvest spirit is equally palpable at Caprae. We've adorned our patio with some of our home-grown squash, bringing a touch of autumnal charm to our dining area. Our culinary team is buzzing with ideas to incorporate these seasonal gems into upcoming menus.
In our herb garden, the cooler temperatures have invigorated our chocolate mint and nasturtium, which our bar team is eagerly harvesting for use in creative concoctions.
Oktoberfest Celebrations
We're currently in full swing with our Oktoberfest celebrations. The evening ambiance has been particularly enchanting, with the golden hour casting a magical glow across the farm around 6:30 PM. Our guests have been reveling in this beautiful light, capturing memories and enjoying welcome drinks on the patio before their dining experience begins.
If you'd like to join us for this seasonal celebration, we still have a few tickets available for Saturday evening. Dinner tickets can be purchased HERE
Looking Ahead
Next week, we'll be taking a brief pause from our Farm to Table dinner series. We're gearing up for our Indigenous People Dinner (October 9-10th and 16-17th) and preparing for a week packed with private events.
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
Upcoming Themes:
Oktoberfest Celebration (September 25th, 26th, 27th & 28th)
Prost! We're bringing Bavaria to Illinois with our Four-Day Oktoberfest celebration. Traditional German dishes meet Prairie Fruits Farm's local flair.
Menu Highlights (subject to change):
Rouladen: Skirt steak, Bacon, Pickles, Red Wine
Golabki: Sauerkraut, Pork, Tomato, Ginger, Clove, Creme Fraiche
Spätzle: Rye, Sauerbraten, Mustard, Apples, Raisins
Weisn Hendl: Brazen, Jägersoße, Arugula, Lemon, Thyme
Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte: Chocolate, Cherries, Cream, Vanilla
Indigenous Peoples Celebration (October 9-10 & 16-17)
Join us for a unique culinary journey celebrating the rich traditions and flavors of Indigenous cuisine. Our chefs have crafted a menu that pays homage to native ingredients and cooking techniques, offering a true farm-to-table experience.
Menu:
Welcome Cocktail: Pine Needle Maple Spritz
First Course: Charcoal Oyster Toasted Coneflower Seed, Wild Garlic, Cattail Crisp
Second Course: Smoked Rabbit Bloody Butcher Corn Pone, Confit Sun Golds, Ramp Puree
Third Course: 3 Sisters Blue Hopi Corn Mush, Pickled Beans, Popcorn, Roasted Squash, Juniper Ash
Fourth Course: Venison Squash, Maple, Tobacco, Watercress
Dessert: Paw Paw Ice Cream Pine Cone Syrup, Chestnuts and Black Walnut & Acorn Crumble
This menu is a celebration of native ingredients, showcasing the diversity and richness of Indigenous culinary traditions. From the pine needle-infused welcome cocktail to the locally-foraged pawpaw fruit in the dessert, each course tells a story of the land. Tickets can be purchased here
Halloween with a Beetlejuice twist (October 23-24 & 30-31)
Get ready for a spooktacular dining experience! Details coming soon.
Don't miss out on these unique dining experiences! Tickets are selling fast, so head to our website now to make your reservations. Farm to Table Dinners are now available on both Wednesdays and Thursdays.
From the Creamery
As we transition into fall, our creamery is winding down production of some seasonal favorites. We're crafting the final batches of our all-goat milk cheeses, Black Goat and Fleur de Prairie. Don't miss your chance to savor these delectable cheeses - they'll be available at Caprae and at our farmers market stands this weekend.
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 and Springfield friends, our cheeses are also available at the Central Illinois Bakehouse (CIB) booth at the downtown Champaign (Tuesday) and Springfield Thursday (Fairgrounds) markets.
Exciting News: We've added a select offering of Central Illinois Bakehouse (CIB) breads and granola to our market cheese stand in Urbana. These artisanal baked goods are the perfect complement to our cheeses and yogurt - a match made in culinary heaven!
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 is a pasta lover's dream, providing all the essentials for a mouthwatering meal:
- Peppercorn Petite de Boules Chevre
- Humbleweed Farm Garlic Head
- Can of tomato paste or crushed tomatoes
- Package of Angel Hair pasta
- CIB Demi Baguette
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.
Recipe: Creamy Goat Cheese Tomato Pasta
Inspired by this week's farm share, here's a simple yet elegant pasta dish that celebrates the flavors of our farm:
Ingredients:
- 1 package Angel Hair pasta
- 1 can tomato paste or crushed tomatoes
- 1 Garlic Head, cloves peeled and minced
- 4 oz Peppercorn Petite de Boules Chevre, grated
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Cook the Angel Hair pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. If using tomato paste, add it to the skillet with 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water and stir until smooth. For crushed tomatoes, simply add them to the skillet.
4. Simmer the sauce for 5 minutes, then add the cooked pasta, tossing to coat evenly.
5. Remove from heat and add in the grated Peppercorn Petite de Boules Chevre, stirring gently until the cheese starts to melt and coat the pasta.
6. If the sauce is too thick, add more reserved pasta water as needed.
7. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
8. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil if desired, alongside slices of the warmed CIB Demi Baguette.
This simple yet luxurious dish showcases the creamy tanginess of our Peppercorn Petite de Boulse Chevre, complemented by the sweet acidity of tomatoes and the aromatic punch of Humbleweed farm garlic. It's a perfect way to savor the flavors of our farm in the comfort of your own home.
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 the bounty of our harvest with you!