Farm News
The rains come every other day. The temperatures hover in the temperate range, perfect for growing grasses and alfalfa. The pastures and hay fields are lush, tall and verdant. If you're a ruminant, you are salivating at the table that has been set before you. If you're a goat, you won't go out if it's raining, but you will venture out as soon as the showers subside. As a livestock farmer and hay maker, you are frustrated. You track the weather forecast almost hourly, hoping for a small window in which to get into the fields to cut some hay. You hope that the ground isn't so wet that your tractor will get stuck. You speculate that the probabilities of a thunderstorm actually hitting the newly cut alfalfa won't be enough to ruin the crop. You come up with contingency plans-how to salvage the green chop in case it's too wet to bail. Such is the schizophrenia of making hay in a wet Midwestern spring.
There are a lot of changes afoot on the farm. The construction of a new farm kitchen and dining space, upgrades to the dairy and creamery and a fresh face to the farm for our guests and visitors to enjoy. Please read all the happenings below and come visit us!
Happenings at the Farm & Beyond
The outdoor market season has begun. GREAT NEWS: 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 will be 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 will be sharing space with Central Illinois Bakehouse at the Bloomington Market. Here are this week's offerings:
Mixed-milk feta in whey brine ! Tangy, creamy yet crumbly--just as you remember it!! Crumble it on everything, especially grilled asparagus!
Feta marinated in olive oil with herbs & spices (come early for this one!!)
Chevre frais: plain, herbs de Provence, cracked pepper and everything bagel seasoning--so fresh and lemony, it screams spring is here!!
SEASONAL chevre flavor: chevre with rhubarb compote! A dollop of delicious tart house-made rhubarb compote a top plain chevre!! Grab a bunch as we will have limited offerings on all of our seasonal chevre flavors this year.
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!!
Jersey Milk Gournay: the perfect substitute for cream cheese-available in plain, garlic & herb, everything bagel seasoning and spiced cranberry
Angel Food-brie style: petite rounds-mixed-milk and introducing our all goat version called "Archangel." Angel food is young, but archangel is perfectly ripe this week!
Little bloom on the prairie-super young and mild this week--how about slicing on hearty bread, sprinkling some freshly chopped thyme and drizzling with local honey??
Black goat: our all-goat milk ash-ripened bloomy; aging nicely-tart, earthy, toothsome and delicious
Fleur de la Prairie: our all-goat milk bloomy adorned with dried edible flowers and herbs--ACS gold medal in 2022!
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 go ahead and sign up for shares. Pretty soon, you will only be able to get these shares if you pre-order. This Saturday's share pairs some sweetness with our rich & creamy cow milk cheese--Jersey Gournay
6 oz. plain gournay cheese
2 oz. Grace's Amazing honey (produced on the farm)
2 oz. peach-chamomile jam
three-pack of CIB plain bagels
Farm Open Hours
We are so pleased to announce our new open hours of operation! Thank you so much for your support and patience as we navigated several much needed construction projects on the farm. We welcome visitors during the following hours:
Tuesdays: Happy Hour! 5-7. 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.
Wednesdays: Closed to the public. Farm to Table dinner night, reservations and tickets required.
Thursdays 11-9. Lunch and dinner counter service available from our newly remodeled restaurant. Find a seat inside or enjoy open seating around the farm. 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.
Fridays. 11-9. Same as Thursdays
Saturdays 9-9. Farm opens earlier on the weekend. Coffee and pastries available 9-11. Same service 11-9.
Sundays 9-4. Coffee and pastries 9-11. Lunch service (same menu) 11-4.
CLOSED MONDAYS. Please respect our staff's needed time to complete farm work and only plan to visit us during open hours.
Reserve your spot for a hike with the goats! Now offering two time options:
Thursday Happy Hour Hike with The Goats-5 pm (includes a beverage at the end of the hike)
Saturday morning Hike-11 am (includes cheese and/or gelato sampling).
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 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.
Farm to Table Dinners: Chefs Garron and Cody will be 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.
We look forward to welcoming you to the farm! Go on our website NOW to make reservations.
Themes for May
May 22nd-"Cochon 217" Pork Centric Event
May 29th-Regional Series: Cuban Cuisine
May 22nd Cochon 217 Pork Fest Menu
Artisan Breads served with whipped lard and radish
Potato Salad:
Knob onion, Kohlrabi Slaw, Bacon Fat Vinaigrette, Chicharone
Pork Belly:
Littleneck Clams, Hakurei Turnip, Sweet Potato, Honey Cider Gastrique
Goat Milk Braised Pork Shoulder:
Blue Hopi Polenta, Kale, Fennel, Sage
Apricot Mostarda Sorbet
Pecan Parfait:
Bacon fat blondie, candied pecan bacon, goat yogurt
