In Chicago and across Illinois, you can find a wealth of unique farms that not only contribute to a better environment but also invite people to see rare plants, purchase organic produce, and learn about how fruits and vegetables are grown. We’ll discuss these fascinating locations in detail on chicagoname.com.
Blackberry Farm
Blackberry Farm seamlessly blends gardening, cuisine, outdoor adventures, and world-class hospitality, creating unforgettable moments for its guests. The farm’s story began in the 1930s. Enchanted by the majesty of the mountains during a trip to the Georgia coast, Florida and Dave Lasher found the perfect spot for their home in Walland, Tennessee. The name “Blackberry Farm” was born in 1939 when Florida tore her silk stockings on a tangle of blackberry bushes.
In 1976, the farm’s charm captivated Kreis and Sandy Beall, along with three other families who were determined to preserve and protect the land. They purchased all the plots along the Chilhowee Mountain ridge. Since then, the property has become a destination for winemaking, farming, and culinary excellence. The stunning gardens, growing apples, pears, berries, and grapevines, are breathtakingly beautiful. The farm beds yield wild mushrooms, blackberries, cherries, potatoes, and pumpkins. Importantly, the Blackberry Farm estate welcomes guests from around the world—as well as neighbors—with genuine Southern hospitality. The property includes over three miles of paved roads and several miles of trails throughout its 9,200 acres of wooded mountains. Group tours are held constantly, and guests can participate in farm activities and even learn the basics of successful gardening.
Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch
Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch is located near Champaign, Illinois. Its standout feature is its vast apple orchard, pumpkin patch, bakery, cafe, store, and much more. Here, people have the opportunity to not only enjoy nature but also buy organic produce. Throughout the season, guests can pick their own apples and pumpkins. Notably, the farm grows over 300 varieties of cucumbers, squash, and pumpkins each season, with seeds sourced from various parts of the world.
Every July, the farm begins harvesting the first apples and baking its famous apple donuts in the bakery. Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch also raises goats, and visitors can try yogurt and other products made from goat’s milk.
Stade’s Farm and Market
At Stade’s Farm and Market, visitors can find baked goods, fruits, vegetables, entertainment, and unique attractions. Its core mission is to provide the public with healthy, organic farm products, agricultural education, and wonderful family fun.
Stade’s Farm and Market is situated in the scenic McHenry County in northeastern Illinois, about 50 miles from Chicago. The farm grows a large variety of crops across its 2,200 acres, ranging from traditional corn and soybeans to various fruits. Fresh, non-GMO fruits and vegetables are sold through the farm market. The main goal of Stade’s Farm and Market is to provide customers with high-quality products.
Historic Wagner Farm
Historic Wagner Farm is a favorite getaway for Chicagoans and residents of other cities. The farm’s history is what makes it unique. Historic Wagner Farm stands out by offering innovative educational programs that provide a deeper understanding of local agriculture. These programs cover all aspects of early 20th-century dairy farming. To bring these programs to life, the farm staff tend to the fields where crops and vegetables are grown, as well as the orchards and the various types of livestock living on the premises. Historic Wagner Farm was originally conceived as a dairy farm.
When visiting Historic Wagner Farm, people can gather eggs, learn the fascinating history of the grocery store opened in 1930, and observe cattle and poultry on the pastures. Many visit the farmhouse, built in the 1920s, and even help the workers with farm chores. The farm also operates a large market where organic products grown on its plantations are sold.
Rader Family Farms
Rader Family Farms is a fourth-generation farm located in Bloomington, Illinois. In the fall, a section of the farm opens to the public, allowing people to spend a day outside and get a closer look at agriculture. Visitors can expect numerous outdoor activities, hayrides, apple cannons, acres of pumpkins, and delicious food prepared with ecologically clean fruits and vegetables. Guests can also interact with and feed the animals and observe their lives. The rich flora and fauna of this place are mesmerizing—at least, that’s what visitors write in their reviews of Rader Family Farms.
Kline Creek Farm
By visiting Kline Creek Farm, you can wander through restored farm buildings and learn many interesting facts about the site’s history. The farm’s activities and events recreate the seasonal rhythms that governed farm life for centuries. The farmhouse preserves original artifacts and reproductions that enhance the homey atmosphere. Tours of the house and farmlands are offered daily.
Depending on the season, farm staff and volunteers plant vegetables like potatoes, pumpkins, beets, and others, milk cows, tend to the large orchard, and harvest ice from Timber Lake. They use Percheron draft horses to harvest crops like potatoes, oats, and corn. The farm manages a conservation breeding program, supporting a herd of Cotswold sheep and Shorthorn cattle.
Beekeeping is also a long-standing tradition at the farm. Volunteer beekeepers manage the apiary, caring for the bees, and harvesting and processing the honey. They also conduct educational programs and tours that focus on the role of the honey bee as the primary pollinator for two-thirds of all U.S. agricultural crops.
Kline Creek Farm hosts seasonal exhibits featuring elements of the 1890s and the agricultural heritage of DuPage County. The site includes modern restrooms, a drinking fountain, and a store where visitors can purchase eggs, honey, and other products.
Kline Creek Farm cares for the environment by protecting 2,600 acres of prairie, forest, and wetlands. Its employees have ensured comfortable and safe living conditions for rare animals.
Forest View Farms
Forest View Farms was founded in the 1950s near the Cook County Forest Preserve. The farm specializes in breeding various strains of horses and ponies. As a result, it offers people a variety of activities: rides on scenic trails, horseback riding lessons, tours, and more. Visitors can learn different types of riding styles at the farm’s equestrian center.
Ropp Jersey Cheese Farm
The farm was founded in 1967 by Ray Ropp, his brother, and his father in a picturesque natural setting. That same year, a 96-stall barn with a milking parlor capable of milking 12 cows was built. From its inception, the farm has produced cheese and other dairy products with the utmost regard for the environment, minimal waste, and high quality. In 1983, Ray bought out his father’s and brother’s shares in the business. In 2000, his son Ken joined his father, becoming a seventh-generation farmer.
Ropp Jersey Cheese Farm’s cheeses are popular throughout the United States. The secret lies in the producer’s commitment to excellence in both production and product. The cheeses are made on-site by cheesemakers using milk from the farm’s Jersey cows. Their milk contains 18% more protein, 20% more calcium, and 25% more butterfat than average milk.
The farm is open to tourists, where they can sample freshly made cheese, enjoy walks along beautiful trails, and feed and observe the cows.
As you can see, there is a large number of farms near Chicago that are definitely worth visiting for anyone looking to spend an unforgettable day in nature.