K&L's Farm at Dongola

09/08/2026

Lesson Learned: When it comes to Elderberry Syrup- MAKE MORE! 6 ziplock bags of berries and stems only provided 4 cups of berries. The season wasn’t lost though. My daughter and I made enough for two jars and my son has a story he’ll always remember. He’ll tell you about a mad woman who ran through the field, during a heat wave, on her lunch break in her work dress and shoes to run off two county contractors who decided to spray w**d killer on the fence line. The elderberries were saved. That was not a good day for the contractors though. **If you are a part of the Southern Illinois Electric Co-op get on the no spray list**

09/07/2026

08/20/2026

The watermelons are swelling on the vine, the chickens are happily roaming and scratching through the yard, and the farm is practically humming with pollinators moving from bloom to bloom. We also gathered our first fresh harvest of elderberries, which are heading straight into the kitchen to be processed into syrups and tinctures for the months ahead.

Grateful for the shift in the weather, the beauty in the simple daily rhythms, and all the goodness this land continues to provide. 🌾✨

08/08/2026

One year ago today, we made the leap to farm life, and it has unequivocally been the best decision we ever made.
From the moment we set foot on this land, we felt a deep, undeniable pull—a sense that we were always meant to be here. Stepping into the role of stewards to this land has transformed the way we live. Working in rhythm with the seasons, tending to the soil, nurturing our flock, and harvesting what we planted with our own hands has brought a sense of peace and purpose that is hard to put into words.
In a fast-paced world, building this homestead has allowed us to slow down and embrace a simpler, more intentional way of living—the way our ancestors did. Creating an environment grounded in self-sufficiency, hard work, and gratitude has been deeply rewarding.
We make an incredible team, and looking back at everything we’ve built, grown, and harvested over these past 365 days fills us with so much pride. Here’s to our first year on the farm, honoring the land, and living the life we were always meant to live! 🌾☀️🌱
we are looking forward to many more happy years here. Our Home.

08/04/2026

First summer on the farm, and our hearts (and bellies) are so full! ☀️🚜

We could not be happier with how far we’ve come. Aside from losing our collard greens to some persistent pests 😢, everything else in the garden has been thriving!

With all the fresh zucchini coming in, we’ve been on a mission to find the ultimate zucchini bread recipe. We’ve tested a few winners and have just one more recipe to try before we officially declare a favorite and share it with you all! 🍞✨

We’re working on beeswax projects, so stayed tuned for updates there as well.

Huge thank you to our amazing community—your advice, encouragement, and support have made this first season so special. We couldn’t do this without you! ❤️

07/23/2026

A garden truly brings people together. ❤️🌱

We are so excited to head out tomorrow and visit with our wonderful Cairo community and friends! They have shown so much love and support for our farm, and nothing brings us more joy than being able to share the fruits of our labor with them. Tomorrow we’ll have corn, zucchini, okra, tomatoes, eggs, peppers, and honey 🍯🥚🍅🌽

07/15/2026

We’ll be bottling our fresh honey this week. Stay tuned for finished product information and pricing.

07/12/2026

🌿 Homestead Hack: Don’t waste the hulls! 🌿 These are our left over hulls from the hickory nuts we processed last year and we can still use them for:

💨 The Smoker: Dried hickory hulls give an incredible, deep, sweet smoky flavor to meats. Many pitmasters actually prefer them over standard wood chips!
🫐 In the Blueberry Patch: Blueberries love acidic soil and shallow root protection. These dense hulls make a perfect, long-lasting mulch border that suppresses w**ds, retains moisture, and naturally boosts soil acidity as they break down.
Before you toss out "yard waste," take a second look—nature usually provides exactly what your soil or your kitchen needs.
What’s your favorite way to upcycle natural resources on your property? 👇

07/11/2026

This might be our new favorite time of year. No matter where you live please support your local farmers and gardeners. It takes a lot of heart and grit to help feed a family or community fresh, pesticide free, quality produce and goods. The best part is meeting new people and building new friendships along the way.

07/07/2026

Egg-citing news... we are officially sold out of our extra egg supply! 🎉

A massive thank you to everyone who bought a carton (or six!) over the last few days. Your support means the world to us.

🚚 Looking for a steady supply?
We have a reliable daily production and are now setting up regular weekly or monthly ordering schedules.
If you want to get on our rotation for guaranteed fresh eggs, send us a DM today! 🥚✨**pick-up only**