About:

At Serenity Fields Farm, we have a passion for fresh food and connected living. We believe in the healing benefits of nature and seek to keep kids playing and working outside and to give families an uplifting destination for their family recreation time. I am a social worker and educator and and love to teach kids and adults about healthy living.

Experiences offered:
• Weekly farm camps in the summer for kids ages 5–12
• Lavender picking, adult classes on herbal conscious, tinctures and salves, gardening, nutrition, lavender body products, etc.
• Horseback rides, pony cart rides for kids, wagon rides for small kids, hipcamping on site, yoga on the farm, bonfires
• We also have open farm days to visit the animals (horses, mini horses, alpacas, sheep, chickens, ducks, bunnies, dogs, kittens, etc), walk the creek, zip lines, garden tours, fresh herb tea making, wagon rides, horseback rides

• Monthly we have "mom-and-me" events with the same activities as open farm, but for ages 2–5 with caregiver

• We also rent the space for parties, family reunions, events, etc.

Hours:
March–October, Sundays 4–7pm
Most events, classes, and experiences are by appointment only

Visit requirements:
None

Preferred communication method:
Facebook message Serenity Fields or text/call owner Julie Lauper at 217-791-3669

Socials:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenityfieldsfarm/

About:
Prairie Hill Blueberry Farm is a U-pick family-run farm. It’s hard to imagine that corn once stood where now roughly 800 blueberry bushes grow. The soil was amended for 3 years to ensure the proper acidity level was reached. The 5 varieties of blueberry bush allow the season to span about 6 weeks. In early spring the bushes will flower, giving the farm’s honey bees ample nectar while they pollinate the seeds, which soon form blue gems of blueberry goodness. When the flowers drop, we know it’s only a handful of weeks before we drop the rope and let pickers in to roam the field. We look forward to seeing you in June and July.

Experiences offered:
U-pick and pre-pick blueberries and asparagus in spring and summer

Hours:
Open spring and summer

Visit requirements:
N/A at this time

Preferred communication method:
Email prairiehillblueberryfarm@gmail.com or call (217) 620-3368

Socials:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prairiehillblueberryfarm/

About:
Escape to the vast, open prairies and immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind adventure at Ironhide Ranch. Nestled in the heart of rolling grasslands, our working bison ranch offers a cozy retreat where modern comforts meet the untamed spirit of the wild frontier. Whether you're dreaming of a tranquil getaway or looking to reconnect with nature, Ironhide Ranch promises an unforgettable experience. We also have an on-site store filled with quality bison meat and supplies. We hope you enjoy the unique charm and authenticity that come with staying on a real ranch!

Experiences offered:
Airbnb bookings, Hummer EV tours, bison meat tastings, educational discussions, custom events, and more.

Hours:
By appointment only

Visit requirements:
As part of your stay, please be aware that our property is an active, working ranch. You may see or hear staff and crew tending to the grounds, animals, or maintenance during your visit. We do our best to maintain a peaceful and respectful environment, but some activities are essential to the daily care of the land. Rest assured, no ranch staff will enter your Airbnb space during your stay; your privacy is fully respected. We appreciate your understanding.

Preferred communication method:
Email phillip.rowell@willowgroveint.com or call 217-974-6580

Socials:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironhidebisonranch

About:
Ben & Molly's farm is a small family-run farm located in Villa Grove, just 30 miles south of Champaign-Urbana. The main attraction—the farmstand—is located on a different property (in Camargo) from the actual production farm (in Villa Grove). The farm is owned and operated by Ben & Molly Oberg, a young husband and wife team who are passionate about rural life. Ben & Molly love growing fruits and veggies that are memorable or unique and they enjoy connecting with you, their customer, at local farmers markets in central Illinois. Read more about Ben & Molly on their website!

Experiences offered:
The Camargo Farmstand is the main attraction. We also offer seasonal plant sales, garden seedlings, fresh produce, pumpkins, and holiday wreaths.

Hours:
We're open irregular hours during spring, summer, and fall—check Facebook!

Visit requirements:

The Farmstand is self serve, so honesty is key!

Preferred communication method:

Email molly@bendandmollysfarm.com or contact via Facebook Messenger.

Socials:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benandmollysfarm

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benandmollysfarm

About:
TM Horse Haven is a local nonprofit dedicated to providing a safe space for people to rest, restore, and renew. We are committed to ensuring that those who visit have the opportunity to experience the peace and calm that comes from being present in nature, grounding that comes from interaction and reflection, and the transformation of thought that encourages them to make positive and lasting changes in their lives and actions.

Experiences offered:

• Collecting farm fresh eggs from the chicken coop

• Evening chores, bringing animals in for the night, s’mores by the campfire

• An insider’s view of daily farm life

• Intro to ponies

• Relax and unwind with chickens and goats

Hours:

By appointment only.

Visit requirements:
All visitors must sign a waiver.

Preferred communication method:
Email Kyle or Chelsea Kirchhoefer, owners, at info@tmhorsehaven.org or call 217-553-0651.

Socials:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmhorsehaven#

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tmhorsehaven/

About:
We started our garden, Maple Street Garden, by growing heirloom vegetables, fruits, and tea! A couple of years into establishing this garden, we decided to start a beehive! Well, this quickly grew from 1 to 3 and we happily caught swarms and did beehive extractions to continue to grow our apiary! After a couple of summers of selling at markets, we decided to open a small shop—the “Beetique”—and the rest is history. We still have Maple Street Garden, and grow delicious produce, fruit, and tea, and have also grown to three apiaries in Mahomet, with 25 beehives (and counting).

Experiences offered:

Along with our Beetique, where you can buy local honey, beeswax candles, and other pollinator-friendly products, we have a tasting room where you can try up to 20 honeys, including all three seasons of our local honey! We also have a large workshop space, offering wickless candle making, soap making, fairy gardens, and special guest workshops!

Hours:

Beetique is open
Monday–Friday, 10am–6pm
Saturday, 10am–4pm

Sunday, noon–4pm
Check https://www.thehivemahomet.com/workshops for workshop dates, times, and details.

Visit requirements:

None.

Preferred communication method:
Email maplestreetgarden.llc@gmail.com

Socials:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehivehoneybeetique/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehivehoneybeetique/

About:

The Condill Family has been farming this land since the late 1800s. We have been offering agritourism experiences since 1989! We grow over 300 varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds on 40 acres.

Experiences offered:
We are a pumpkin patch on 13 acres, u-pick and pre-picked pumpkins, squash, and gourds, wagon rides, corn maze, straw maze, mini maze, children’s garden, live music, and a restored one-room schoolhouse from 1912.

Hours:

September 17–October 31

Wednesday–Sunday, 9am–6pm
Also open Monday, October 13, 9am–6 pm

Visit requirements:
We are pet friendly! But ALL pets must be on a leash at ALL times.

Preferred communication method:
Email Ginny or Mac Condill, owners, at thepatch@the200acres.com.

Socials:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegreatpumpkinpatch

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the200acres/

About:

The farm is a hands-on learning environment for low-input, environmentally and economically sustainable food production. In addition to horticultural skills, student workers develop applied skills in safe food handling, farm infrastructure design, implementation and maintenance and marketing. The SSF mission is to serve as an accessible living laboratory for small, diversified farm education and training. We seek to empower students to engage in thoughtful, sustainable, and innovative agricultural practices through outreach, demonstrations, and research.

Experiences offered:
Farm tours and Annual Open House event (held Friday of Labor Day week).

Hours:
By appointment only, summer and fall semester.

Visit requirements:
Closed-toed shoes and other outdoor-appropriate clothing.

Preferred communication method:
Email Matt Turino, Farm Manager, at illinois-ssf@illinois.edu

Socials:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uiucssf/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uiuc_ssf/

About:
We are a local farm-to-finish alpaca farm. We have a small herd of alpacas that are shorn once a year. We use our alpaca fiber to create local, sustainable and unique wearable and household products whose sale helps support the care and feeding of the alpacas.

Experiences offered:
We offer all farm visitors the opportunity to meet the alpacas with a guided tour and snacks to feed the alpacas.
Other activities include Alpaca Snuggles and Selfies, Learn to Spin Yarn, Needle Felting (3 hours) and Wet Felting (1 hour) activity workshops.

Hours:
We are open by appointment all year.
(We're also open selected evenings and weekend days during the school year, open most Wednesdays during summer break.)

Visit requirements:

Please leave your pets at home.

We recommend closed-toed shoes and jeans/pants to reduce the nuisance from any flies.

We expect visitors to be calm and respectful around the alpacas.

Preferred communication method:

Call Stephanie Block, farm co-owner, at 607-227-8458.

Socials:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlpacasAtSundrop

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sundrop_alpacas

About:
Sola Gratia Farm is a not-for-profit, community-based urban vegetable farm located in southeast Urbana. We were founded in 2012 with the mission of feeding our community, particularly those with limited incomes, while building and enhancing respectful relationships between people and with the land in support of a healthy landscape, water supply and community. We are committed to following organic practices in order to protect our workers, customers, neighbors, and our shared environment. Since 2012, SGF has donated over 26% of its total harvest (over 150,000 pounds) to hunger relief partners in our local area, such as the Eastern Illinois Foodbank, Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, Jubilee Café and Champaign-Urbana Public Health District among others.

Experiences offered:

We use our farm as an educational space, host community events, and lead local farm-to-school and community gardening-for-good initiatives. Experiences include tours (self-guided or farmer-led), field days/demos, educational workshops, volunteer workdays, events such as dinners, dances, stargazing, yoga, seed swaps, plant sales, and more.

Hours:
Production Farm: By appointment only or during public events (see website).

Community Classroom: Open daily dawn to dusk, also during public events (see website) or by appointment.

Visit requirements:
Closed-toed shoes
No dogs

Volunteers under 14 must be accompanied by an adult

No smoking
No alcohol (unless through a formal event)

Preferred communication method:
Email:
Traci Barkley, Director, at director@solagratiacsa.com

Fiona Munro, Outreach/Education Manager, at outreach@solagratiacsa.com

John Williams, Farm Manager, at farmmanager@solagratiacsa.com 

Socials:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/solagratiafarm

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solagratiafarm/#

About:
We are a six-generation certified organic family farm. We work hard to raise delicious food for families in central Illinois. We raise livestock and grains along with distilling spirits from our grain.

Experiences offered:

Grain-to-glass distillery tours and tastings.

Hours:
By appointment only; open year-round.

Visit requirements:

Must be 21 years old or older to participate in alcohol tastings.

Preferred communication method:

Call Will Glazik at 309-824-7467 or Dallas Glazik at 217-841-2978.

Socials:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SilverTreeBeerSpirits

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silvertreespirits/?hl=en

About:
We are the Midwest’s leader in grain-to-glass-brewing. We’ve used 200 tons of Riggs-grown grain in our beer production. To keep our small 300-acre farm viable in the 21st century, we wanted to grow a product that we can process into something delicious for the end consumer. As grain farmers, beer was the perfect product to bring people together around a table with a locally grown product.

Experiences offered:

Our German-style beer garden is surrounded by some of the fields that grow the grain. We have a large variety of German and American beer styles, some are 100% Illinois grown (we also serve cider, wine, sodas, and more). Besides our beer, we seasonally offer Riggs-grown sweetcorn, flowers, pumpkins, popcorn, etc. We don’t have a kitchen but work with great food trucks for various food offerings. A schedule can be found on our website.

Hours:
Thursday–Friday, 3–10pm

Saturday, noon–10pm

Sunday, noon–8pm

Open year-round.

Visit requirements:
None.

Preferred communication method:

Email Caroline Riggs at info@riggsbeer.com

Socials:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiggsBeer

Facebook (Tap Room): https://www.facebook.com/RiggsTaproom
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riggs_beer_company/

About:

Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery is a nationally recognized, award-winning goat dairy and home of Caprae Restaurant. We raise nearly 100 goats in a rotational pasture system and make our cheeses in our on-site creamery. We also grow organic fruits and vegetables on our 5 acre farmstead. PFF&C was founded in 2004 and the last 20 years have transformed the previous row-crop landscape into a perennial paradise of goat pastures, organic fruit orchards and diversified organic herbs and vegetables. Prairie Fruits Farm is a true destination for local food lovers and those who want to connect with nature and animals on a working farm.

Experiences offered:

On-farm restaurant, full bar, gelato, cheese sampling, farm store, goat hikes, walking path, yard games, visiting with goats, overnight farmstay, overnight RV parking by reservation only. 

Hours:
Tuesday–Friday, 4–9pm

Saturday, 9am–9pm

Sunday, 9am–4pm

Open year-round.

Visit requirements:
No pets

No commercial photography without advance booking

Preferred communication method:
Email: office@prairiefruitsfarm.com

Socials:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prairiefruitsfarm

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prairiefruitsfarm/

About:
We are a 4-generation family-run orchard in Sullivan, Illinois, just off the beaten path. Whether you are looking for fresh from the farm fruit and apple cider or a quiet place to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we are happy to welcome you to Okaw Valley Orchard! We strive to provide our customers with a great farm experience and exceptional products, in a friendly, clean, safe environment, with service that exceeds their expectations and enables them to make memories.

Experiences offered:

We offer apple U-Pick on select weekends, depending on what varieties are available to pick and how the crop is. Call or check FB to be sure that we're offering U-Pick!

We also offer scheduled educational tours (visit https://www.okawvalleyorchard.com/tour). There are specific hours and dates for these, minimum 15 attendees, and must be scheduled in advance.

We always make apple cider donuts every day of our regular season. Specialty flavors are made on select weekends throughout the summer and late fall.

Hours:
Summer (June–Labor Day)
Fall (Labor Day–Columbus Day), Tuesday–Friday, 9am–5pm; Sunday, 12–5pm

November (until Thanksgiving), TBA
Closed Mondays

Visit requirements:
See https://www.okawvalleyorchard.com/faq.

Preferred communication method:
Email Jennifer Mitchell at jennifer@okawvalleyorchard.net or call 217-460-0283.

Socials:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/okawvalleyorchard
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/okawvalleyorchard/

About:
Our farm has been a family farm here for 5 generations and beyond that outside of Sidney! The pumpkin patch has been going for nearly 50 years, but we’ve been farming corn, soybeans, and a couple other crops for generations beyond the start of the pumpkin patch’s beginning. We are a close family with nearly all family members involved with the pumpkin patch. It's a family tradition that we have come to share with our great community. It's the absolute best time of year and we love spending it together and with all of you every fall!

Experiences offered:

Our main attraction is our pumpkins, gourds, and squash that we sell (around 200 different varieties) at unbeatable prices! We also sell corn stalk bundles, straw bales, and Indian/ornamental corn. We have farm animals—cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, and goats. (You can feed the goats!) There’s plenty of picture opportunities and fun to be had all around.

Hours:
9am until dark, 7 days a week, late September–October 31

Visit requirements:

No requirements.
Free parking, free admission.
The terrain is gravel driveway and grass where the pumpkins are laid out. There are a few small inclines and declines—footwear is whatever you are comfortable in for the given terrain. It's accessible for nearly everyone. We love pets, but we ask they be on a leash for their—and anyone else’s—safety and comfort.

Preferred communication method:

Contact Mitch Negangard by phone (217-722-7866) or by Facebook (see below).

Socials:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064834052866

About:
We are a family-owned and operated Amish farm. Located in the heart of Amish country, Green Meadow Farm is one of the original sight-seeing buggy ride tours in Arthur. A good ole fashioned farm, an original Amish farm and home to the Kaufman family. Through our buggy rides and farm stays, we show people what our farm has to offer as well as the Arthur community. Whether a short or a long ride, you are sure to experience a fun way to see Amish Country. Come on by! Relax and take a ride. Stay overnight and experience the peaceful environment of country life. Shop around and bring home some delicious baked goods. Share an experience at the farm. Learn more about our community from the people who live here. We are happy to take you "back in time."

Experiences offered:
Farm stays in RV camper or tent via HipCamp, buggy rides, self-guided farm tours.

Hours:
Open Monday–Saturday, 9am–6pm, by appointment only.

Call for information about scheduling a visit.

Visit requirements:
Inquire by phone.

Preferred communication method:
The family is Amish and so it's best to call Merle Kaufman at 217-543-4192 and have him call you back. (As opposed to email or social media.)

Socials:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greenmeadowfarmarthur/

About:

Delight Flower Farm is a woman-owned farm located near Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. We provide our community with a local, sustainable option for gorgeous flowers. We grow flowers to help people celebrate life, to support our livelihood as farmers, and to aid in ecosystem regeneration. Our method of farming is a union of organic gardening and experimentation of crop cultivation and permaculture. Nestled in a sea of mono-crop conventional farms, we grow a diversity of crops and use no harmful chemicals on our farm. 

Experiences offered:
We offer a variety of seasonal workshops, on-farm dinners, a Spring Plant Sale, Fall Bulb Sale, photography sessions, and private tours.

We also offer fresh specialty cut flowers, dried flowers, wreaths, merchandise, and farm-grown/made herbal products (teas, salves, CBD products, oils).

Hours:
The farm is generally closed to the public, but our self-serve farmstand is open during the growing season (April–October/November) on Thursdays–Sundays, 10am–sunset (see our social media for current hours).

Access to the farm is available by registering for workshops/events, scheduling a private tour/photoshoot, or attending our two annual plant sales. We offer holiday workshops up until the holidays. 

Visit requirements:

Requirements may vary based on the event type, but appropriate footwear is always highly recommended.
Pets must remain on leashes at all times, including during private photo sessions. We welcome you to take all the photos you’d like when you’re here! 

Preferred communication method:
Email Management at hello@delightflowerfarm.com or Maggie Taylor, owner, at delightcsa@gmail.com

Socials:

Facebook: facebook.com/delightflowerfarm

Instagram: instagram.com/delightflowerfarm

About:
This historic family-run farm in southwest Champaign features apples, pumpkins, outdoor activities and a large country store. Shop for specialty food items, take home our fresh apple cider, and try our famous donuts and pies. We’re also excited to serve up great meals in our Flying Monkey Cafe!

Experiences offered:
U-pick apples and pumpkins, kids' activities, tractor tours, visiting goats and bunnies, and more.

Hours:
July 20–September 30
Monday–Saturday, 9am–6pm
Sunday, 11am–6pm

October 1–October 31
Monday–Saturday, 9am–6pm
Sunday, 10am–6pm

November 1–December 23
Monday–Saturday, 9am–5pm
Sunday, 11am–5pm

Visit requirements:
Dress for the activity (apple and pumpkin picking, petting zoo, outdoor kids' activities).

Preferred communication method:
Email curtisorchard@gmail.com

Socials:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CurtisOrchard/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curtisorchard/

About:
In a nutshell, we are Farm-to-Table. We believe in food that travels feet, not miles. Our chemical-free gardens provide vegetables, herbs, and flowers. What we don’t grow ourselves, we source from neighboring farms that share our values of quality, seasonality, and sustainability.

Experiences offered:

Farm-to-table farm dinners, workshops, seasonal events. We also offer tulips, sunflowers, veggies, & herbs.

Hours:
Open the 1st & 3rd Saturdays of each month, May–October, but all events require online ticketing.

Visit requirements:
Due to the onsite bar and sophistication of our dinners, we enforce a 21+ age restriction.

Preferred communication method:
Email Teresa Sturm, CEO/Member, at questions@cedar-oak-farms.com.

Socials:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/COF.Paxton/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cedar_oak_farms

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/cedar_oak_farms/

About:
Our farming mission is to produce meat and poultry products in a regenerative, pasture-based environment with the health and welfare of the animals as our primary focus. We produce delicious, high-quality foods for our family, and to the specifications of our customers with no antibiotics, pesticides, hormones, synthetic additives or GMO feeds.

Experiences offered:
Pasture walks with livestock and poultry; forest walks; yoga for kids on the farm.
We also sell cuts of pasture raised beef, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey, and eggs.

Hours:
Visits by appointment only; open all seasons.

Visit requirements:
No pets
Wear boots when muddy

Preferred communication method:
Email owners David and Susan Bane at davidpbane@aol.com or text 217-722-2188.

Socials:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087383721223