Shady Grove Farm Illinois

06/03/2026

This is a great opportunity for me to plug one of my absolute favorite non-profits in my community, Parklands Foundation! If you haven't checked out some of the beautiful Parklands Preserves here in the Mackinaw River basin, then this is your excuse! Check them out, see if you can spot some things on the nature challenge, but don't forget your tick spray! 😁 This is definitely an organization worth donating to, they keep the "wild" in our Central Illinois area! 🌲🌱🦅 (if you want suggestions on which preserve and what time of day to visit, ask me, I regularly visit them all!)

🌿 Join ParkLands Foundation Nature Quest Challenge! 🦋🐦

ParkLands Foundation is excited to invite nature enthusiasts, families, and outdoor explorers to participate in ParkLands Nature Quest Challenge, a six-week community event that combines outdoor adventure with citizen science!

📅 Challenge Dates: June 20 – July 26, 2026

Participants are encouraged to visit featured ParkLands preserves and document the plants and animals they discover using the free iNaturalist and/or eBird mobile apps. Every observation helps contribute valuable data to scientific research while encouraging exploration of our local natural areas.

📍Featured Preserves:
• Letcher Basin Preserve
• Chinquapin Preserve
• Merwin Preserve
• Lexington Preserve
• Moon Preserve

You can explore independently or attend one of our Nature Quest partner events throughout the challenge. At the end of the six weeks, participants will have the opportunity to win prizes in several categories! You must be registered in ParkLands Foundation Nature Quest Challenge to be eligible for prizes.

📱 Before getting started, download the free iNaturalist and/or eBird apps (available for Apple and Android devices) and create an account. Instructions for using both apps, preserve information, trail maps, and driving directions will be available on ParkLands Foundation website (https://www.parklandsfoundation.org).

🎉 Nature Quest Kick-Off Event
Join us on June 20 at the Illinois Art Station to learn about the challenge, associated events, and how to use the iNaturalist app. Participants will also have the opportunity to practice making observations in the surrounding native gardens. This event is perfect for anyone new to iNaturalist.

Find more details and event information on ParkLands Foundation website and events page (http://parklandsfoundation.org/nature-quest). We hope to see you out on the trails this summer!

06/02/2026

Hello June, welcome to the Midwest! 🌞🍃🌱🏵

06/02/2026

Happy June! I celebrated the month of the summer solstice yesterday by going on a walk along the lake and picking wildflowers. I must admit, summer is the least favorite season for me AND the sheep, but I'm trying to appreciate all the growth and abundance this season brings, along with the heat and humidity. What about you, what are you doing to welcome the month of June and the season of summer?

05/28/2026

Touring 3 of my 4 garden beds and my new orchard area.

05/27/2026

Summertime vibes...

05/26/2026

Come out and see the Shepherdess of Shady Grove tonight at Duncan Manor! I'll have my large pegloom w me so you can see primitive weaving in progress. Plus, I'll have yarn, notecards, table runners, dryer balls, and one very special "Blessing Weaving" wall hanging- waiting to find its home with whomever needs it. 😊🧚‍♀️🔮

05/25/2026

Been having some anxiety lately, so its time to start sipping my passionflower tea (w rosehips and goldenrod, and fresh spearmint from the garden). Ahhhh....

05/24/2026

Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend so far. Beautiful clouds today. I'm still not finished w planting, have some sweet potatoes, berry bushes, potatoes, and sunflowers to get in the ground tomorrow. Then, its time to prep for Tuesday's event at Duncan Manor.

05/19/2026

New book reccomendation! This is a wonderful book of memoir/poetry/creative non-fiction that specifically illustrates the life-changing power of connecting closely w the natural world. The author shares his journey to find hope and healing from depression, by finding his way back to nature. This is something I feel deeply passionate about! In these times we need to learn or remember traditional skills (growing food, simple heating and cooling strategies, cooking from scratch, medicinal plants, building circles of community, etc...) but let's not forget about the mental health benefits that come from our relationship with the natural world! Something in the woods, prairies & waters does indeed love you, the question is, can you love it back? 🌱🌲🌼🐦🦌❤️

05/18/2026

Guess what? I'll be set up at Duncan Manor House for their inaugural "Summer Social" event, on Tuesday, May 26th (4-7pm). These Summer Socials will be happening every Tuesday this summer (I'll only be there for the first couple) and are designed as a lovely, casual experience. You can listen to music, have a drink, stroll the grounds, grab some food from the food truck, and of course stop and say hello to the various vendors. They will also be doing home tours on occasion. I'll be bringing some of my magical, natural, handmade items from the flock! Everything we do here is inspired by nature and infused w peaceful energy. Hope to see some of you there!