Hop & Hen Farm

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. 🥰

05/30/2026

I'm sure you guys won't believe me because I am putting this post up past noon, but all the bakes are ready and have been since 11:00! Can you even believe it?! 🥰🥰

Today's fresh bakes in no particular order (and yes I'm leaning into the strawberries!): strawberry lemonade scones, strawberry banana muffins, brown butter dark chocolate chip cookies, cranberry brown butter white chocolate chip cookies, sourdough bagels, English muffins, sourdough bread, French bread boules, and organic granola. Whew! 👩‍🍳 Open until 5:00, so hurry in! And yes our fantastic eggs are in stock!

While you're here make sure you scan the QR code that takes you to the Farm Wander Trail; there's so much fresh produce and goodies to find and you're supporting your local farms/farm stands! 🌱🌟🌱 Farmwandertrail.com

05/29/2026

Fresh produce and goods are a click away! Hit the Trail!

A fun app built by a local farm gal with a passion for connecting you to fresh, community‑grown foods and goods.

05/24/2026

Have you heard about our Visible Mending Class that's taking place next weekend? It's a chance for you to learn some simple techniques for getting your favorite clothes back into rotation! Snackies provided too!

We have a few spots left and would love for you to join us. All the details are on our Facebook event page or on our website where you can register. www.hopandhen.com

And don't forget about the Farm Wander Trail this Memorial Day Weekend! If you are a farm in the area, claim your profile so people can find you and bring your goodies to their weekend festivities 🌱farmwandertrail.com

05/23/2026

Happy Saturday to you friends! I really do have Fresh Bakes, but you guys know how it goes here; the post about it gets up after the first rush of opening the shop! LOL

In no particular order: French boules, Sourdough Boules, BBDCC Cookies, BB Cranberry White CC Cookies, English Muffins, Strawberry Banana Muffins, Organic Granola and Strawberry Oat Bars, and (sorry....just sold out- Cardamom Vanilla Scones). Open until 5 today, and we have some eggs,, but I have to limit to one dozen, as you guys have been gobbling them up! LOL

If you're hitting parties, you know the shop is filled with perfect "made from the heart" host/hostess gifts created right on this Farm! Have a great Memorial Day Weekend, and remember the reason for the holiday. 💗

05/23/2026

Sharing this because I know many of you are interested in being taught the great craft of sourdough baking!

Ready to learn the basics of sourdough baking? 🍞✨
Join us for Sourdough 101 at the Lake County Farm Bureau!
Spots are limited, so be sure to register today! 🥖
📅 Wednesday, July 22
⏰ 6:00–8:30 PM

05/21/2026

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. 😌

05/20/2026

🐝🐝🐝

🐝🌻 Buzzing by to wish everyone a Happy National Bee Day!
Take a moment today to appreciate our hardworking pollinators and support local honey producers right here in Lake County! 🍯💛