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Willow City Farm

87%
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· Pleasant Plains, Sangamon, Illinois
100 acres hosted by Tara And Joe M.
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Willow City Farm is made up of multiple small-scale diversified farm in Central Illinois.  The farm does not just produce one or two products like a typical farm, instead it operates more like a homestead and produces a multitude of crops and livestock which support each other using permaculture and other organic methods.We understand that education is key, and we are constantly learning and sharing what we learn with others. Our form of agriculture is the science and art of sustainability.  Our philosophy is that farming practices should leave the soil, air, water, plant life, animals and people healthier – and happier. We are a proud micro farm (a.k.a. small family farm), farming under 100 acres.   Some years ago, I decided to purchase a small coop and a few chicks, and began to raise chicken in my backyard.  It quickly went from a hobby, to a passion, to a way of life. In June of 2014, while attending a concert, I wrote that wanted to "Start a Farm" before I die.  They say, if you have a goal, write it down and tell a friend.  It was the push I needed.  Within four months, I would make it happen. I convinced my family that I wasn't TOTALLY crazy, and they allowed the move to a four-acre farm right in the middle of the city with my six children.  (They knew I was crazy, but it could have been worse, right?  Um, probably not.)  With lots of hard work and effort, Willow City Farm began with a large flock of chicken and a few goats.  We've now grown to alpaca, ducks, turkeys, sheep, cows, rabbits, dogs, pigs, horses, and a leopard gecko.  It's always expanding.  (I WILL find my zebra!!) In January 2015, we purchased our first calf with the idea of providing our family with a freezer of beef.  We quickly realized that it was something we wanted to provide to our customers, and our herd began.  We now have over 60 head of cattle.  Our stock is mostly Black Angus, with the exception of a few Hereford and Black Baldies, and our sweet Maine Anjou bottle baby, Louie. Most of our cattle are raised on our "big farm" about 15 miles outside of Springfield. They are free to roam over 90 acres of lush pasture, and they are fed our own high quality grass and alfalfa.  When requested by our customers, they are finished with high quality grain grown on our own farm.  The big farm is also home to three of our six horses who help us sort cattle from time to time.  We are happy to give tours at all Willow City Farm locations.  Just call us to schedule an appointment.  We have an open farm policy (as long as you steer clear from the paddocks holding our cattle - especially the bull pen) and you can even drive by and watch our cattle, alpaca, and horses graze from the side street of the property.  You will most likely see us working in the pasture, so be sure and wave! In 2016 we began our Test-A-Nest chicken rental program and private preschool tours.  In the Spring of 2016 we participated in our first "pop-up" with a local bakery and have made it an ongoing even on the last Sunday of each month. In June of 2016 we took our farmstand on the road and began participating in the Illinois State Fair farmer's market on Thursday evenings and the Downtown Farmer's Market in Springfield on Saturday mornings.  In January of 2017 Willow City Farm opened up our first retail store, The "Willow City Farmstand"  in Springfield, IL.   I am committed to raising a product we are proud to serve our family and yours.  I am passionate about local foods, the success of local farms, and their families.  I encourage everyone to #knowyourfarmer and #knowyourfood.  
Activities
Biking
Fishing
Hiking
Horseback riding
Natural features
Forest
River, stream, or creek
Swimming hole
Field
Not currently accepting bookings
More camping spots nearby
87%
15 ratings · 13 reviews
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David K.recommends
November 13, 2020
Willow City Farm
Great location and a thoroughly pleasant time!
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Maritta H.
October 23, 2020
Willow City Farm
Quiet and remote but...
This was an instant book. The write up said to check in at main house on arrival and we would be taken to site. Messaging had told us that hosts weren’t home and that the interim host wouldn’t be able to deliver eggs or tour as we paid for...Interim host also didn’t answer the door. Hosts were in Yellowstone with limited comm ability but told us to drive thru field to site. Beautiful idea. String lights. Pond. Paddle boat. Dock. Canoe. But Portapotty was a cess pool and at max capacity. Soap provided but no water. Paddle boat was filthy and unusable. Half of string lights not working. Lantern left out with welcome camper letter but lantern not working. Beautiful idea but not optimally executed.
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Myles S.recommends
October 19, 2020
Willow City Farm
Conveniently located
We went out and spent a couple hours on the property but didn't stay, only because it was going to get chilly that evening and we forgot to pack extra bedding for the occasion, plus we were still pretty close to home anyway. It was a nice set up for a small group, and it was private. It would have even probably been more private if the fields weren't plowed yet. When we left we visited a nearby winery in New Berlin, then went onto enjoy food and shops in Springfield which was also close by. When we were at the site, we didn't have much luck fishing, but that could have been due to weather.
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Daniel S C.recommends
October 1, 2020
Willow City Farm
Stayed only one night but enjoyed our stay. Great little get away.
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Alyssha G.recommends
September 29, 2020
Willow City Farm
Lovely little farm with a private pond front for the campsite. It’s very cool to get a farm tour and meet the animals. Tara made us feel very at home and it was a very relaxing trip.
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Alise I.
September 24, 2020
Willow City Farm
Beautiful but impractical for us
The property is really beautiful and peaceful and we appreciated how quiet and tranquil it was. The campsite itself, while lovely in the photos, sits next to a stagnant pond that breeds mosquitos. Not only was this not a place we wanted to eat (we wound up eating in our van), the idea of boating, swimming or fishing was completely out of the question. It's possible that this is a seasonal issue. We were there in September.
Location
Pleasant Plains, Sangamon, Illinois, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Peoria, oθaakiiwaki‧hina‧ki (Sauk) & Meškwahki·aša·hina (Fox), Myaamia, Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, Kaskaskia, and Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo) First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Tara And Joe M.Joined in July 2018
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