Hop & Hen Farm

06/15/2026

Who wants to make Tamales, but missed out on tickets? One person had to turn hers back because of a unexpected conflict. If YOU want to attend, hit the website and snag the last ticket OR if you want another person to join you, message or call me and I'll get you taken care of. You KNOW it's going to be a lot of fun, and hint: it would make a dynamite Father's Day Gift!

https://www.hopandhen.com/product/tamale-workshop-with-chef-ernesto/

06/15/2026

While half the goats are still on location finishing Phase 1 of their park restoration project, the remainder is here working on an overgrown plot on our land. Even the babies get in on the nibbles! 🐐🐐

06/14/2026

Well, well, welcome little ones!🐐🐐 Annabelle surprised us with twins, one girl and one boy! 🐐🐐

We knew she was close, but yesterday afternoon she delivered these darlings unassisted while we weren't watching! 🙃

Mama and babies are in perfect shape and are already champs at the nursing game. Announcing names in a few days ❣️🥰

06/13/2026

Fresh bakes are ready, and in no particular order: Sprouted Oat Seeded Sandwich loafs, Sourdough Boules, Sourdough Bagels, our signature Browned Butter CC cookies (Callebaut dark chocolate, cranberry white chocolate), Granola, strawberry Basil scones, and ... Crossing my fingers through the one thing that isn't done which is croissants. It's so hot in this kitchen I'm having a heck of a time with the butter! 👩‍🍳👩‍🍳🔥

Stop on by, grab some eggs as well because the girls are laying machines right now! We had quite a bit of damage from the recent storms, and lost a couple of hundred foot tall trees, so pardon the dust!

Don't forget there are some cool things in the shop including some Dad-specific aprons (ideal for Father's Day!) and some assorted soap and lotions that might make him get his pamper on! Open until 5.

06/09/2026

This was our morning, and how fortunate are we to get to spend it with such a great group of people? Many thanks to the folks Antioch Township for reaching out and arranging a special visit like this; we're honored to have hosted them and to share the stories of this property and its restoration. Can't wait for another visit soon!

06/08/2026

A whole lot of happy happening at Hop & Hen Farm!

We’re excited to welcome the Antioch Township Senior Group out to the farm for a special visit. We can’t wait to share some property history, farm charm, and of course goat kisses with them. 🐐💗🐐

Our Tamale Workshop SOLD OUT over the weekend and we’re over the moon! Thank you to everyone who grabbed a spot and helped make this collaboration such a hit. DM to get on the waitlist!

And if you’ve noticed a few extra‑quiet pastures… it’s because half our herd is still out on park‑restoration duty for one more week. They’re doing important work and looking adorable while doing it, even when it's a bit rainy!

Never a dull moment around here, and it's just the way we love it.

06/06/2026

Here's a post about what's left as opposed to what's coming! 😆 Open until 5 (or a tiny bit later if you message me!)

What I've got left of bakes: strawberry basil scones w/ lime caramel drizzle, browned butter chocolate chip cookies in both dark chocolate chip with cranberries, and my signature dark chocolate chip (Belgian Callebaut of course, and no-gmo, no-bleached/bromated/enriched flour!), organic Harvest Granola made with our own maple syrup! 👩‍🍳

Our honey oat wheat sandwich bread went quickly, so I will try to make extras of that next week!

Make sure you get the farmwandertrail.com app on your phone so you can explore all the amazing farms and farm stands in our vicinity. If you are one of these farms and you have not claimed your profile, please do so! It's free! 🌱🤘🌱

Happy weekend everybody, and stay cool out there! 🌟

06/03/2026

We hope all farms and farm stands near and far get found by the people that are excited to visit them! *Thank you* for helping us get the word out! 🌱

So nervous, but so excited to announce a project I've been tinkering on: my latest app build - Farm Wander Trail (a spur off the Small Wander Trail). squeeee! 🌱🌱https://www.farmwandertrail.com

For more than a decade, I've felt like farms and producers of goods from them needed a better way to be in touch, and the community needed a better way to find them. Especially now, I feel like the time is right for an app of this kind.

Go give it a look and put it on your phone; no download needed, just install (you'll get a prompt) and you can bookmark it in your browser. It works on mobile, tablets, computers, and right now there are about 150 listings from around our region (greater Chicagoland.) It will grow, and I will continue adding to it. The basic listing (I call it Sprout) is free, and the next tiers up (Cultivate & Harvest) offer more robust features and options.

I hope you like it! Definitely a true labor of love and I hope a way for our community to get closer to the things that nourish them heart, body and soul. 😌

06/03/2026

I couldn't bear to just toss these little peony buds out, so I did a thing with them instead. 🪷🥰🌸

Happy Wednesday everybody and hope you guys are enjoying the gorgeous Chicagoland weather! The shop is stocked with new Annie Goat Lotions, new Annie Goat Soaps, eggs, and even some cool me-made Father's Day aprons for the dads that rule the grill! ♨️

Stop by and say howdy, and be sure to check out the farmwandertrail.com app for all your farm exploring!

🐓

06/01/2026

It's National Dairy Month and our dairy goats are more than just a way to get milk; they are literally the natural replacement for machines that would have otherwise been used to get this local park under control. 🐐🐐🐐

A portion of our herd is working on a community project, restoring a park that has been overtaken by buckthorn, honeysuckle, and other invasives. These photos? One week apart. 🤘🤘🤘

Foraging is what goats do when they're not part of anyone's farm. We're fortunate enough to have tons of places for them to forage on our own property, but also in the community. These guys are restoring land so that native plants and the beneficial insects that visit them can thrive. 🥰