Springtime in the month of May means higher temperatures, hopefully, fewer rainstorms, seedlings in the garden and lots of new baby animals! At least the last two are valid for our area's farmers. Kankakee County is home to a growing agritourism community that thrives on interactive farms and growing farmers' markets for visitors and locals to enjoy.
Kankakee County is home to 13 interactive farms ranging from animal farms to greenhouses to wildflower farms. Wild Harts Farm, a new farm in the area, is reinventing the wheel regarding interactive farms. They have opened their farm to the public to get a front-row seat to the glamorous and not-so-glamorous side of livestock farming. Their active and transparent social media presence highlights the stories of their family and how they came from the Chicago suburbs to the small agricultural town of Grant Park. Visit the farm for tours, lots of animal snuggles and special events like baby goat yoga! Flat Rock Farm Co. is our newest flower farm with freshly cut flowers, a create-your-own bouquet bar, and even bouquet subscription boxes! They're open spring through fall to help you get your early spring tulip fix, a unique prom or homecoming bouquet, fall sunflowers and those just-because flowers that will surely put a smile on everyone's face. For the avid gardener, check out one of the greenhouses in the county. They can help you start your garden with all the fruit and veggie seedlings or help you plan the perfect flower boxes or front yard landscaping with their abundance of flowers! Another great farm introducing new innovative ways to interact with visitors is Locavore Farm. Locavore Farm engages visitors with their signature Dine on the Land event. Read more about Locavore Farm’s story here!
Check out one of our area farmers' markets for a one-stop shop day. There are three in the county: the Kankakee East Side Market (2nd & 4th Saturdays, June- October), the Momence Farmers' Market (Wednesdays, June-September) and the Kankakee Farmers' Market (Saturdays, May-October). You will find some of the most incredible goods Kankakee County offers at the Kankakee Farmers' Market. Start your morning off with a seasonal latte from the Connect Roasters stand. Once you have your morning coffee, it's time to make your way around the market. You'll see all kinds of produce, goods and local craft. Many local bakeries set up their baked goods including homemade doggie treats for your furry friends to sample as they trot around. The Kankakee Farmers' Market gives a temporary storefront to the small businesses of Kankakee County that don't have a brick and mortar. It allows visitors and locals to shop small and purchase goods that may not be available year-round. The market also has an array of food options, from local restaurants setting up booths to local traveling food trucks to help satiate your hunger for breakfast, brunch and lunch. Once you've explored the market, check out the other great boutiques in downtown Kankakee like Madame Saint Vintage, Roze Lingerie Boutique and Moon Cookie Gallery. Once you've shopped your heart out, grab a glass of wine or wine slushie at Grapes & Hops and wind down before taking all your new goodies home.
Kankakee County prides itself on being an agricultural county. We also take pride in our creative thinkers being innovative enough to turn agriculture into agritourism to help teach and provide unique experiences and goods to people from all over. For a complete list of our communities' farms and markets, visit https://visitkankakeecounty.com/Agri-tourism.
