Stade's Farm Market and Shades of Autumn McHenry IL
Stade's Farm Market and Dairy Farm
Fall is in the air! It is one of my favorite seasons and a perfect time to visit Stade's Farm Market, located in McHenry County, Illinois.
Vern Stade, 24 years old and fresh out of college, established Stade's Dairy Farm in 1977 with 50 cows and a goal of producing milk. By 2001 it had grown to 250 cows and was not only producing milk but corn, soybeans and alfalfa. The farm is now at 2,200 acres, 120 acres of which are dedicated to growing fresh fruit and vegetables.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
They start planting onions, potatoes and strawberries in early April. Once the threat of frost is over they start planting other vegetables and continue with new plantings every two weeks until mid-July to ensure fresh and ripe produce throughout the season. They are hand picked early in the morning and delivered to the Farm Markets that afternoon. Unlike produce in the supermarkets that has traveled miles after harvesting, these vegetables are picked fresh and are very nutritious!.
Fall Decorations!
I was so excited to decorate the outside of my home with Pumpkins, Mums and Broom Stalks that I jumped the gun by 2 weeks! The Broom Stalks aren't even available yet! This means I will make another visit to Stade's in two weeks and I am looking forward to that.
The Bakery
Oh, it smells so good! Donuts, Pies, Brownies, Cookies and Breads are baked fresh daily.
Preserves, Sauces, Salsas and Pickled Vegetables are plentiful. So many varieties to choose from!
Learn how to pickle and preserve your fresh fruits and vegetables!
Gleaners Of The Lord
Once weekly volunteers come to the farm after the harvest to pick left-overs. They gather produce that has fallen to the ground and deliver it to food pantries.This is a non profit organization that distributes the food free of charge to the needy families of Northern Illinois.
Shades of Autumn
Stade's Dairy Farm has been hosting Shades of Autumn since 1995. It is a family oriented Fall festival that includes pony rides, a petting zoo, a corn maze, a Pumpkin Cannon and more. Enjoy home cooked food and have lots of fun! There is FREE parking and NO gate fee! The Hayride to the Pumpkin Patch costs only the purchase of a pumpkin...exactly why you are going to the Pumpkin Patch anyway. What a bargain!
There is live Country, Christian or Oldies Rock and Roll Music to enjoy while you are strolling the grounds and enjoying the attractions, so many of which are free.
Every Sunday morning, May 29-Oct 30, there is an open air non-denominational worship and praise service with contemporary music. It is lead by different local churches weekly.