Just 30 minutes from Rockford and a little over an hour from Chicago, we are a small family-run operation based on healthy foods that come from nature. Our goals are to enjoy the outdoors while producing local, healthy foods, and learning about the process. We offer two unique 3-hour experiences. 

These experiences are ideal for families or small groups looking to slow down, learn something new, and enjoy a hands-on connection to the outdoors. All of this is available within a short drive from the city. Come explore how healthy food and good stewardship go hand in hand.

Grist Mill Maple: Maple Syrup Making Experience

Offered from mid-February to mid-March (weather dependent), our maple syrup experience invites you to take part in every step of the sugaring process. Learn how to identify and tap maple trees, gather sap, and witness the transformation as it's boiled down over a wood-fired evaporator. As the sap simmers, enjoy a simple fireside lunch of hot dogs and s’mores. You’ll leave with a small sample of our syrup and a deeper appreciation for the work behind each drop.

Hazel Hill Orchard: Agroforestry Demonstration Tour

In 2021, we began transforming 36 acres of former row crops into a regenerative orchard designed for the Midwest. On this 3-hour tour, you'll explore the variety of species we've planted. These include chestnuts, hazelnuts, cherries, honeyberries, peaches, June berries, paw paws, plums, persimmons, and prairie restoration. You'll learn how each crop fits into a more resilient, diverse approach to agriculture. Depending on the season, guests can sample ripe fruits or nuts right from the land. The visit wraps up with a light lunch featuring local, grass-fed beef burgers.

We look forward to hosting you!