2024 Central Illinois Egg U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Egg U-Pick Orchards in Central Illinois in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for eggs that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have eggs orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

Iroquois County

• Mulberry Lane Farm - Uses natural growing practices, apples, asparagus, beans, beets, blueberries, corn (sweet), cucumbers, currants (red and black), grapes, onions, other berries, peppers, raspberries (black), raspberries (Spring, black), raspberries (Autumn, black), rhubarb, strawberries, Fresh eggs, porta-potties are available, picnic area, farm animals, school tours
  414 N Mulberry Street, Loda, IL 60948. Phone: 217-386-2690. Email: helen@mulberrylanefarm.com. Open: Monday to Saturday, from 8 am to 7 pm; Closed Sunday; Open from April 1 to October 1;Strawberry U Pick starts in early May, BY RESERVATION ONLY. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
  Mulberry Lane Farm Facebook page. . . Please call ahead and reserve a spot! The demand is high this year, so don't miss out; Farm shop is open Saturdays year round from 8 am to 8 pm. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. Facebook page. 2018 Prices starting out were $3.99 per lb. Minimum 5 lbs per person (12 years old and older). Already picked strawberries are also available by reservation only. 2018 prepicked prices are $5.99 per lb for the first week or two. Prices will drop further into the season. You are at the right place for organic food (all our USDA Certified Organic products are non-GMO and glyphosate free; no Roundup!) and canning supplies. Buy in bulk and save BIG money! We are certified organic by the Global Organic Alliance (GOA).

Montgomery County

• Kern Family Orchard - apples, blackberries, blueberries, peaches, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), raspberries (yellow), raspberries (Spring, yellow), raspberries (black), raspberries (Spring, black), strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs
  7375 Mackay Avenue, Raymond, IL 62560. Phone: (217) 820-1266. Open: Call the farm for hours and crop availability. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. . Be sure to confirm crop availability and dates with the farm before you go there; we no longer receive updates from the farm. (ADDED: August 27, 2015)

Moultrie County

• Okay Valley Orchard - Peaches, apples, plums, pears, cider, jellies, apple cider donuts, baked goods, restrooms, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, Fresh eggs, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), U-pick and already picked, farm market, picnic area, school tours
  724 county road 1750 north, Sullivan, IL 61951. Phone: (217) 728-8269. Email: Jennifer@okawvalleyorchard.net. Open: Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm; Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm, during summer and fall. Directions: See their website for directions. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard .
  Okay Valley Orchard Facebook page. . . Playground Click here for our Facebook page. prepicked apples, peaches, plums, pasteurized fresh cider, apple doughnuts, jams & jellies, fresh pies, dumplings, peach bread, gift & kitchen items. We also have a large playground and picnic area with restrooms for families to enjoy. Ask about our educational group tours. Our 1500 apple trees grow 27 different varieties of apples, peaches, plums, and pears. Come and eat in our covered picnic area, play in our playground, browse through our Country Store full of in-season Illinois fruit, fresh apple cider, honey, jellies, gifts, apple cider donuts, and other fresh baked goodies. We also have a u-pick area, dependent on what is seasonally available.

Warren County

• Monmouth College Educational Farm and Garden - blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, vegetables, eggs
  N. 12th Street, Monmouth, IL 61462. Phone: . Email: craigw@monmouthcollege.edu. Open: see their Facebook page for updates. Click here for a map and directions.
  Monmouth College Educational Farm and Garden Facebook page.

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Eggs: Tips, Recipes and Information

Many PYO farms keep chickens and have farm-fresh eggs to sell. Certainly, these eggs are fresher and better in every way than those from a grocery store. Many of these farms sell the eggs year round, often via an honor box

• Types of eggs
• Egg buying guide: grades, sizes and more
• How long do eggs and egg products stay safe and fresh in the fridge
• Selling eggs from your backyard chickens
• Facts about eggs and chickens
• Glossary of meat, milk and eggs terms

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call or check their website or facebook page before you go to the farm - Egg supplies can vary, chickens lay fewer in cold weather.
2. Bring a container for the eggs.  Some farms have them some not, but if you save and reuse egg cartoons, the farmers will appreciate it. It helps cut their costs - and thus yours!
3. Bring cash - many operate honor boxes for eggs
   

When you get home

 To keep eggs safe, take eggs straight home and store them immediately in the refrigerator set at 35 to 40 F. Leave the eggs in their carton and place them in the back of the refrigerator, not in the door (which is the warmest part of the fridge).

Egg Storage Chart
Product	Refrigerator	Freezer
Raw eggs in shell	3 to 5 weeks	Do not freeze.
Raw egg whites	2 to 4 days	12 months
Raw egg yolks	2 to 4 days	Yolks do not freeze well.
Raw egg accidentally frozen in shell	Use immediately after thawing.	Keep frozen; then refrigerate to thaw.
Hard-cooked eggs	1 week	Do not freeze.
Egg substitutes, liquid Unopened	10 days	Do not freeze.
Egg substitutes, liquid Opened	3 days	Do not freeze.
Egg substitutes, frozen Unopened	After thawing, 7 days, or refer to "Use-By" date on carton.	12 months
Egg substitutes, frozen Opened	After thawing, 3 days, or refer to "Use-By" date on carton.	Do not freeze.
Casseroles made with eggs	3 to 4 days	After baking, 2 to 3 months.
Eggnog, commercial	3 to 5 days	6 months
Eggnog, homemade	2 to 4 days	Do not freeze.
Pies, pumpkin or pecan	3 to 4 days	After baking, 1 to 2 months.
Pies, custard and chiffon	3 to 4 days	Do not freeze.
Quiche with any kind of filling	3 to 4 days	After baking, 1 to 2 months.

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers