Farm News
It is time to focus the spotlight on the cheese makers. The medals and the accolades bring recognition to the finished products, the fruits of their labors. Yet, it is the truly the people who toil day in-day out who deserve the applause. Our head cheese maker Kato has been under my tutelage (Leslie, the farm-creamery founder/former owner) for over four years. From his roots in nutrition and professional ballroom dancing, he taken on the plumage of a cheese maker. He obsesses over milk quality. He has learned that our goats' seasonal milk also is influenced by diet, weather and goat health/well-being. He understands that milk is not uniform or static and that the cheese maker must anticipate how seasonality and animal welfare influence what he experiences in the cheese vat. For the cheeses that require aging/affinage, he understands that his job is not done after salting; he must manage the environments that influence rind and flavor development. Like a maestro in a small orchestra, he must oversee his staff, set his production schedules, be nimble to make changes based on milk volume and cheese sales. He must be ever vigilant over food safety and maintaining a pristine creamery. He has committed to the long days, the hours of washing dishes and cleaning vats, the late nights of flipping bloomy rind cheeses. He has begun to call himself a cheese maker and take pride in his craft.
The farm garden is transitioning to fall. The rows of radishes, kohlrabi and cabbage are standing strong. The western garden bed is a wall of pumpkin vines. A pumpkin patch is emerging. The sunflowers are having their moment in the sun--a kaleidoscope of color.
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." 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! Read about all the happenings below and come visit us!
Market offerings
Don't forget to celebrate the cheese makers by BUYING OUR AWARD-WINNING CHEESE! We won FOUR (yes 4!) medals at the American Cheese Society Cheese Judging and Competition. We received three gold medals for: little bloom on the prairie, chevre with everything bagel seasoning and mixed milk feta in whey brine. Our Ukrainian farmers cheese took home a bronze medal in a very competitive category for fresh cow milk cheeses. We won medals for all of the cheeses that we entered!!! First time EVER!!
ALSO: August is National Goat Cheese Month! Celebrate with goat and mixed milk (goat and cow) cheeses from Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery!!
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. Here are this week's offerings:
2024 American Cheese Society Gold Medal Winners Package: $30 (available at both farmers' markets and at the farm during open hours):
--Chevre with everything bagel seasoning
--Mixed milk feta in whey brine
--Little bloom on the prairie
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: peach-honey made with local peaches and local honey and a few roasted garlic as well as garlic & herb
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 pop over to CIB's stand to grab some of there house-made granola!! FULLY STOCKED ON PINTS AND QUARTS!
Angel Food: mixed milk petite brie--young but tasty
"Archangel:" our all-goat milk mini-brie style cheese-beautifully ripe-perfect for a simple summer picnic cheese board
Little bloom on the prairie: our mixed milk camembert style beauty-grill a round and serve with grilled peaches- beginning to age 2024 ACS GOLD MEDAL
Black goat: our all-goat milk ash-ripened bloomy; perfectly ripe
Fleur de la Prairie: our all-goat milk bloomy adorned with dried edible flowers and herbs--peak ripeness--2021 Good Food Award and ACS gold medal in 2022!
For Urbana Market ONLY: watermelon-feta and cucumber salad made by Lisa Little!!
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 features:
--our seasonal peach-honey chevre
--goat milk yogurt
--CIB granola
--CIB sourdough bagels
Farm Open Hours
The farm OPEN HOURS are changing with the season. We now offer pre-fixe farm dinners on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Saturday goat hikes at 11 will continue into the fall. Goat yoga-pilates can still be enjoyed on Tuesday evenings, along with Happy Hour and Tuesday Night Tacos. 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!
Our new "back to school" hours are:
Tuesdays: Happy Hour and Taco Tuesday! 5-8 pm. Goat Yoga (Pilates) available. Buy tickets online in advance or at the farm before class starts. 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.
CLOSED MONDAYS. (We're recharging for the week)
TAKE A HIKE!! Reserve your spot for a hike with the goats!
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.
August 28th and 29th
Market Vegetarian
Celebrate the bounty of late summer with our farm-fresh vegetarian feast. Savor innovative dishes crafted from the season's finest local produce. SOLD OUT BOTH DATES
NEW! August 31st
Silver Tree Beer & Spirits Dinner
We're thrilled to welcome Will Glazik from Silver Tree Beer and Spirits in Paxton, IL, for a night that celebrates the best of Illinois agriculture in your glass and on your plate. We plan to dine outside!!
September Themes
Sept 4th & 5th
Riggs Brewery Labor Day BBQ Event
Kick off the month with elevated American BBQ classics! We're celebrating Labor Day and local craft beer with Riggs Brewery. Savor smoky flavors paired with crisp, refreshing brews.
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 (Tickets coming soon!)
Oktoberfest
Prost! We're bringing Bavaria to Illinois with our Oktoberfest celebration. Traditional German dishes meet Prairie Fruits Farm's local flair.
Comments