Kinnikinnick Farm Produce - Chicago

You may know Kinnikinnick Farm as the stand that sells the great Italian greens cavolo nero, spigarello, bietina and more at the Green City and Evanston farmers' markets.

But now you can know Kinnikinnick Farm.

The Caledonia, Illinois, farmstead is the country's third to participate in Feather Down Farms, a farm-stay program imported from Europe. For the occasion, Kinnikinnick's gently sloping field is newly outfitted with five charming pine-and-canvas tent cottages.

Tents are devoid of technology (no toilet or electricity; a vintage pump sink), and the few available activities are biking country roads, antiquing, befriending the farm's animals, cooking and relaxing. This is an ideal getaway for those who want to experience life far from the city, but drive less than two hours (prices start at $525 for two nights).

The farm's produce and other staples are stocked in a 24-hour honesty shop, and options for cooking on the cabin's wood-burning stove or a charcoal grill are ample. On our visit, dinner was grilled chicken with green garlic, and asparagus scattered with just-picked basil.

For breakfast, there were blue-tinted eggs to crack, laid the day before by tawny Araucana hens.

The program just launched, and needs some streamlining–but we're confident Kinnikinnick's personable owners, David and Susan Cleverdon, will transform Feather Down Farms into an even more memorable experience as the summer goes on.

Kinnikinnick Farm, 21123 Grade School Rd., Caledonia; 716-226-6323 or featherdown.com