Baetje Farms Lodging (County)

Baetje Farms Lodging – Five Luxury Tiny Homes on a World-Renowned Goat Cheese Farm Where French Country Elegance Meets Missouri Countryside

At 8932 Jackson School Road in Bloomsdale, just three miles off Interstate 55 at the entrance to Ste. Genevieve County’s wine country and directly across from Chateau Ste. Genevieve winery, Baetje Farms has created something genuinely unique: five luxury tiny homes where guests sleep steps away from the white Saanen goats whose milk becomes award-winning French-inspired artisan cheese—Bloomsdale (the flagship Super Gold World Cheese Awards winner inspired by Valencay), Miette (“small, sweet thing,” their most awarded honeymoon-perfect cheese), Coeur de la Crème (heart-shaped chèvre in multiple flavors), Vallée, and Amoureux—each tiny home named after a different Baetje cheese and designed with white planked oak floors, shiplap walls, white marble tiled bathrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows with flowing curtains, and French country chic décor honoring Ste. Genevieve County’s deep Francophone heritage. Accommodating up to 17 guests across all five homes (four romantic one-bedroom suites plus one stunning two-story Bloomsdale Suite sleeping nine with spiral staircase, double loft with four built-in queen bunk beds, floating bar, and outdoor fire pit), the tiny homes offer intimate escapes for couples, complete buyouts for wedding parties or family reunions, and the rare opportunity to wake in luxury lodging on a working farm where you can feed friendly goats, tour the state-of-the-art creamery, taste world-class cheese, attend community events like Goatoberfest and Wine & Cheese Festival, and understand firsthand how exceptional cheese begins with happy, healthy animals producing the best possible milk.

The tiny homes represent the latest evolution in Baetje Farms’ transformation from simple creamery to comprehensive agritourism destination—a vision realized when current owners Cara Naeger and family (who already owned Bloomsdale’s beloved Dew Drop Inn restaurant and The Kozy) purchased the farm and opened it to the public, building The Artisan white French-inspired barn venue for weddings and events, launching community gatherings, and creating luxury lodging that allows overnight guests to experience farm life without sacrificing comfort, style, or modern amenities. Each tiny home includes its own en-suite bathroom, wet bar, refrigerator, Keurig, and microwave—everything needed for comfortable self-sufficient stays whether sneaking away as two for a romantic weekend or renting all five homes for an intimate celebration among friends and family. Not a detail is forgotten. The farm truly is your perfect place to stay.

The Cheese Legacy: World-Renowned Artisan Excellence

Understanding Baetje Farms Lodging requires understanding Baetje Farms cheese—because the tiny homes exist on a farm whose primary purpose is producing some of America’s finest artisan goat cheese, and the lodging experience is fundamentally shaped by this agricultural reality.

The Cheese-Making Heritage:

Founded by Steve and Veronica Baetje beginning with a single goat and a dream, Baetje Farms built reputation over decades through uncompromising commitment to quality. The farm produces farmstead cheeses—meaning they handcraft cheese from milk of their own animals on their own farm, controlling every variable from goat health and diet through cheese aging and finishing.

The cheese-making facility built onto the historic 1912 Sears & Roebuck barn includes state-of-the-art aging facilities maintaining exact temperature and humidity conditions, using very fresh rennet and cultures imported from France and Denmark. A second addition in 2011 expanded capacity to meet growing demand—testament to the cheese’s quality and market success.

The Flagship: Bloomsdale Cheese

The Bloomsdale tiny home takes its name from Baetje’s most celebrated cheese—a mold-ripened masterpiece inspired by the ancient French cheese Valencay. The original Valencay was pyramid-shaped until Napoleon, returning from his disastrous Egyptian campaign, stopped at Valencay castle and, enraged by the cheese’s resemblance to Egyptian pyramids, drew his sword and chopped off the top. Valencay has been made with flattened top ever since.

Baetje adapted the shape to represent the rolling hills surrounding their Bloomsdale location, rolling the cheese in a mixture of pine ash and salt and aging it until it develops beautiful bloom of white mold. The results speak through accolades:

• 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2018 Super Gold World Cheese Awards
• 1st Place American Cheese Society 2012

This isn’t “good for Missouri” cheese—this is legitimately world-class artisan cheese competing successfully against French, Spanish, Italian, and Vermont producers with centuries-long cheesemaking traditions.

The Philosophy: Best Cheese Starts with Best Milk

Current owner Cara Naeger articulates Baetje’s core belief: “The best cheese starts with the best milk, and the best milk comes from animals in peak health and happiness.” This philosophy drives every farm decision—from goat care and pasture management through milking schedules and facility biosecurity.

The white Saanen goats (a Swiss dairy breed known for high milk production and gentle temperament) graze in the farm’s pastures, live in the historic 1912 Sears barn, and receive care prioritizing their wellbeing. Happy, healthy goats produce superior milk with better flavor and composition for cheesemaking. This isn’t sentimental anthropomorphism but practical agricultural science—stressed or ill animals produce lower-quality milk that yields inferior cheese.

Guests staying in the tiny homes can feed and interact with goats raised specifically for visitor interaction (separate from milking herd for biosecurity), experiencing firsthand the animal care underlying the cheese they taste.

The Five Tiny Homes: Luxury at Miniature Scale

The tiny home concept has exploded in popularity—minimalism, sustainability, affordability—but Baetje’s implementation emphasizes luxury rather than austerity, creating intimate spaces that don’t feel cramped or sacrificial.

The Design Philosophy:

Drawing inspiration from Ste. Genevieve County’s French colonial heritage and Baetje’s own French cheese tradition, the tiny homes feature:

White Planked Oak Floors – Durability and elegance; lighter floors make small spaces feel larger and brighter

Shiplap Walls – Textured visual interest providing farmhouse character without rustic roughness; white shiplap reflects light and creates clean backdrop for colorful accents

White Marble Tiled Bathrooms – Luxury material signaling that “tiny” doesn’t mean “cheap”; marble elevates bathrooms to spa-like quality

Floor-to-Ceiling Windows with Flowing Curtains – Maximum natural light and countryside views; curtains provide privacy when needed while maintaining romantic, airy aesthetic

Pops of Color – Strategic color accents prevent all-white spaces from feeling sterile hospital-like

Charming Chic Décor – French country touches, carefully curated accessories, and design cohesion throughout

The result is luxury boutique hotel aesthetic at tiny home scale—spaces that feel special, thoughtfully designed, and worth the premium pricing.

The Four One-Bedroom Suites:

The Miette Suite (Honeymoon Suite): Named after Baetje’s “small, sweet thing” cheese and their most awarded variety, the Miette exudes romance through tall ceilings and open floor plan creating serene calmness despite compact footprint. The honeymoon suite designation suggests particular attention to romantic details—likely premium bedding, intimate lighting, and design emphasizing couples’ experience.

The Amoureux Suite: Named after another Baetje cheese (Amoureux likely meaning “in love” in French), suggesting romantic theming and couples-focused design.

The Coeur de la Crème Suite: Named after Baetje’s heart-shaped fresh chèvre available in multiple flavors (plain, herb de Provence, three pepper, cranberry orange, pumpkin walnut, dark chocolate, garlic & chives), the heart-shaped cheese inspiration likely informs suite décor and romantic positioning.

The Vallée Suite: Named after Baetje’s Vallée cheese, possibly the most rustic or traditional in design among the one-bedroom options.

All four one-bedroom suites include en-suite bathrooms, wet bars, refrigerators, Keurigs, and microwaves—self-sufficient amenities allowing guests to prepare coffee and light meals without leaving their tiny homes.

The Bloomsdale Suite (Two-Story for 9 Guests):

The showstopper accommodation designed for larger groups wanting to stay together. The description notes “more masculine in its décor,” suggesting bolder colors, heavier materials, or less overtly romantic styling compared to the one-bedroom suites focused on couples.

Features:

• Spiral Staircase – Architectural drama and space-saving vertical circulation creating sculptural element
• Double Loft with Four Built-In Queen Bunk Beds – Sleeping eight in queen-bed comfort (far superior to twin bunks) with memory foam mattresses; built-in construction maximizes space efficiency
• Sofa Bed on Main Floor – Ninth sleeping spot providing flexibility for mixed-age groups or guests preferring ground-level sleeping
• Large Bathroom with Hideaway Door for Toilet Room – Privacy within shared bathroom allowing simultaneous use
• Kitchenette – More substantial food preparation capability than the wet bars in one-bedroom suites
• Floating Bar Amidst Vast Windows – Dramatic design element creating gathering focal point with countryside views
• Outdoor Seating Area with Fire Pit – Private outdoor living extending usable space and creating evening entertainment

The Bloomsdale Suite serves:

• Large families wanting to stay together rather than booking multiple hotel rooms
• Wedding parties keeping bride/groom and close friends under one roof
• Multi-family groups sharing vacation
• Corporate retreats building team cohesion through shared living
• Friend groups celebrating milestones (reunions, birthdays, bachelor/bachelorette parties)

Total Capacity: Up to 17 Guests

Renting all five tiny homes simultaneously accommodates 17 people—ideal for:

• Weddings at The Artisan – Wedding party and immediate family sleeping on-site, eliminating travel after late-night celebrations
• Extended Family Reunions – Multiple generations staying together while maintaining privacy in separate homes
• Corporate Retreats – Team-building experiences combining professional programming with farm immersion
• Wine Country Getaways – Groups touring Ste. Genevieve County wineries with designated drivers shuttling between homes and tasting rooms
• Milestone Celebrations – 50th anniversaries, significant birthdays, or other occasions justifying special gathering places

The Agritourism Experience: More Than Just Lodging

Baetje Farms Lodging exists within comprehensive agritourism destination offering experiences beyond sleeping:

Feed the Goats:

White Saanen goats (raised specifically for visitor interaction) are friendly, photogenic, and eager to meet guests. Feeding goats provides tactile, joyful experience especially beloved by children but genuinely delightful for any age. The interaction creates grounding connection to agriculture—these are the animals whose milk becomes the cheese you’ll taste.

Creamery Tours:

Schedule 24 hours in advance (tours must be booked; no walk-ins), guests can tour the state-of-the-art cheese-making facility and learn the complete process from milk to finished cheese. Understanding the craftsmanship, precision, and time required for artisan cheese production transforms tasting from simple eating into informed appreciation.

Cheese Tastings:

Tours include complimentary cheese tasting—sample multiple Baetje varieties, compare flavors and textures, discover personal preferences, and understand why certain cheeses win international awards. Pairing tastings with wine from nearby Chateau Ste. Genevieve or other Route du Vin wineries creates complete culinary experience showcasing local agricultural excellence.

Community Events:

Goatoberfest – Fall family festival with vendors, inflatables for kids, cheese and wine tastings, cookie decorating, live music, s’mores by fire pits

Wine & Cheese Festival – Pairing local wines with Baetje cheeses, celebrating the region’s dual strengths

Mother’s Day Brunch – Special dining experience on the farm

Breakfast with Santa – Holiday family event building community connections

These events welcome public, creating opportunities for tiny home guests to participate in farm celebrations and meet locals rather than experiencing only tourist-focused activities.

The Artisan Venue:

The white French-inspired barn functions as elegant event space hosting weddings, specialty parties, and corporate events. Tiny home guests might attend events here (particularly if renting homes for wedding weekends) or simply appreciate the aesthetic cohesion between lodging and event spaces.

The Strategic Location: Wine Country Gateway

Three miles off I-55 at exit for Bloomsdale positions Baetje Farms at the entrance to Ste. Genevieve County’s wine country—the Route du Vin connecting multiple award-winning wineries:

Immediate Neighbor:

• Chateau Ste. Genevieve – Directly across Jackson School Road (walking distance)

Nearby Wineries (10-20 minutes):

• Crown Valley Winery
• Cave Vineyard
• Charleville Vineyard & Microbrewery

Additional Attractions (20-30 minutes):

• Sainte Geneviève Historic District – Free walking tours, French colonial architecture, historic houses, museums
• Pickle Springs Natural Area – Unique geology, 2-mile trail, sandstone formations, arches, slot canyons
• Hawn State Park – 4,953 acres, wilderness camping, Pickle Creek Trail

The location allows:

• Wine Tours Without Driving – Walk to Chateau Ste. Genevieve, arrange shuttles or designated drivers for additional wineries
• Historic Town Access – Day trips to Sainte Geneviève (12-15 minutes) combining cultural tourism with farm experience
• Nature Exploration – Hiking Pickle Springs or Hawn State Park then returning to luxury tiny home comfort
• Convenience – Three miles from I-55 provides easy access without highway noise or traffic

The French Connection: Cultural Cohesion

Baetje Farms’ French-inspired cheese production, French country lodging aesthetic, and proximity to Sainte Geneviève (founded by French Canadians in 1735) creates cultural cohesion rare in American agritourism.

The French settled Ste. Genevieve County for its “diversity of the land and rich soil conditions for growing crops”—the same agricultural advantages that support both wine grape cultivation and dairy farming today. Baetje Farms honors this French tradition through cheese inspired by Valencay and other classic French varieties, creating living connection to the region’s colonial heritage.

Guests staying in French-inspired tiny homes, tasting French-style cheese, visiting French colonial Sainte Geneviève, and touring French-influenced wineries experience thematic coherence transforming disparate activities into cohesive cultural immersion.

Why Baetje Lodging Works

The tiny homes succeed by combining elements that individually might seem risky but together create compelling package:

Luxury Amenities – Marble bathrooms, quality furnishings, thoughtful design eliminate “roughing it” concerns

Farm Authenticity – Real working farm with real goats producing real award-winning cheese (not theme park agriculture)

Proximity to Attractions – Wine country location and Sainte Geneviève access provide activity options beyond farm itself

Flexible Capacity – Couples can book single suites; large groups can rent entire property

Educational Value – Learn cheese-making, animal husbandry, and agriculture while vacationing

Instagram Appeal – Photogenic goats, elegant interiors, pastoral setting, artisan cheese attract social media-savvy travelers

Practical Information

Location: 8932 Jackson School Road, Bloomsdale, MO 63627

Contact:

• Phone: 573-483-9021
• Website: baetjefarms.com
• Airbnb: Book individual tiny homes or entire property

Accommodations:

• Total Capacity: Up to 17 guests across five tiny homes
• Four One-Bedroom Suites (Miette/Honeymoon, Amoureux, Coeur de la Crème, Vallée)
• One Two-Story Bloomsdale Suite (sleeps 9)
• All homes include en-suite bathrooms, wet bars, refrigerators, Keurigs, microwaves

On-Site Experiences:

• Feed the goats (walk-up during farm hours)
• Creamery tours (book 24 hours advance)
• Cheese tastings (included with tours)
• Community events (seasonal—check website)
• The Artisan event venue (weddings and private events)

Nearby:

• Chateau Ste. Genevieve (across street)
• Additional wineries (10-20 min)
• Sainte Geneviève Historic District (12-15 min)
• Pickle Springs Natural Area (25-30 min)
• Hawn State Park (20-30 min)

Who Should Stay:

Wine Enthusiasts – Tour Route du Vin wineries with lodging at wine country entrance

Romantic Couples – Honeymoon suite and intimate one-bedroom options perfect for getaways

Large Groups – Wedding parties, family reunions, friend celebrations renting entire property

Agritourism Seekers – People wanting authentic farm experience with luxury accommodations

Foodies – Artisan cheese lovers and culinary tourists seeking farm-to-table experiences

Families – Goat feeding, outdoor space, and multi-bedroom Bloomsdale Suite accommodate children

History Buffs – Combine farm stay with Sainte Geneviève historic district exploration

Nature Lovers – Access Pickle Springs and Hawn State Park while enjoying luxury lodging

Where World-Class Cheese Meets Luxury Lodging

Baetje Farms Lodging represents rare convergence: legitimate agricultural operation producing internationally-recognized artisan cheese that’s also become sophisticated agritourism destination offering luxury accommodations rivaling boutique hotels. You can feed goats in the morning, tour the creamery before lunch, taste Super Gold award-winning cheese in the afternoon, walk to Chateau Ste. Genevieve for wine, return to your tiny home for dinner from the kitchenette, gather around the outdoor fire pit, and sleep in French country elegance surrounded by Missouri countryside—all without sacrificing comfort, style, or modern conveniences.

Call 573-483-9021 or book through Airbnb. Discover what happens when world-renowned artisan cheese production, luxury tiny home design, and Missouri wine country location combine to create lodging experience that’s intimate, authentic, and memorable. Where the best cheese starts with the best milk, and the best vacation starts with waking up on the farm where it all happens.