Twilight Tailgate with the Trees: End of Summer Celebration

Let’s celebrate the start of the school year with a shin-dig at the farm!

Join us for an evening of good ol' Midwestern fun, including:

• Mocktails made with farm-sourced black currants and elderflower
• Agroforestry-inspired snacks
• Nature-games for kids (and kids-at-heart)
• Farm-wide Scavenger Hunt
• U-Pick Elderberry and Aronia berries
• Live Music

Schedule

5 pm - 8 pm: Socialize and enjoy games, refreshments, and the scenery

7 pm - 7:30 pm: Agroforestry Farm Tour

Cost: Free, BYOB

The Vernal Ridge Agroforestry Demonstration Farm features:

• a 20-acre windbreak featuring 11 designs and 28 species
• a 15-acre hazelnut variety trial featuring 5 new hazelnut cultivars
• a 15-acre elderberry, black currant, and heartnut alley cropping system
• a 70-acre grain and timber alley cropping experiment featuring 6 species

Pack a chair or picnic blanket for lounging, as well as additional beverages you may want.
Bring along your family, friends, and kids, but please leave your furry friends at home.

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Need a bike to ride in Champaign-Urbana? Check out: Where to Get a Bicycle

Please wear a helmet and have bike lights if traveling by bicycle to the farm.

The route from the University of Illinois Main Quad to Vernal Ridge Agroforestry Demonstration Farm is 9.3 mi. (See: Quad to Farm)

Take the Kickapoo Rail Trail from the Urbana entrance to Mayview (3.1 mi), then turn right off of the trail onto 1900E (2.5 mi) to the farm. (See: Rail Trail to Farm).

There is not a bike rack at the farm at this time (Summer 2026), but bikes can be secured to permanent signage.

Info: Have drinks & snacks made from black currants and elderflower sourced from the farm. Connect with Savanna Institute, Canopy, & IL Farmers Union and enjoy family-friendly activities

Info: Go on a walking tour of the farm, led by Canopy Farm Management

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Host or Publisher Savanna Institute