Pygmy Goats
Children's Storybooks
In 2022, Nicole Zaagman authored and photo-illustrated a book called Samson the Baby Pygmy Goat. In 2024, Nicole published Stella Bella's Pygmy Goat Miracles. Nicole's storybooks and have been shipped all over the world!
AGS & NPGA Pygmy Goats
Parkside Farm's goats are dual registered with the AGS and NPGA. Shipping pygmy goat semen nationwide with Stateline Cryogenics below. Registered with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Michigan Office official Goat Scrapie ID program, Flock ID# MIK2048/Premise ID# 00QX7VA.
Share joy with interactive farm education, and creative art activities. This hands-on pygmy goat program is designed to delight participants of all ages. Planning a special event or celebration? Let the pygmy goats bring the fun to you!
Experiences
Field Trips & Tours
Parkside Farm offers private tours for families, homeschool groups, schools, youth organizations and more. Great for ages 5+ and up to 60 participants. Plan a fun and educational outing. Includes an in-depth agriculture presentation, walking tour, hands-on pygmy goat experience and farm market shopping.
Memories
Farm to Table Dinners
Be on the lookout for a new offering of farm to table dinners at Parkside Farm in 2026! Add an optional farm experience such as a honeybee hive demonstration, animal class, agricultural or historical tour of the farm and much more.
Farm Shopping
Come shop the seasonal Farm Market open May - November featuring honey, cut flowers, décor items, goat milk lotions and soaps, goat gifts, maple syrup and pumpkins. Open Wed-Sun 11am - 8pm with cash and Venmo payment . Shop online with credit card and select a daily pickup time at your convenience.
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Farm Outings
Nicole Zaagman offers custom tours for small and large groups. Want to add a combination of experiences for your corporate organization or non-profit? Inquire to create a unique farm outing at Parkside Farm for your team or staff.
About the Farm
Parkside Farm is an agritourism destination in Byron Center, MI. Parkside Farm is by appointment only named for its “park-like” setting filled with trees and natural beauty. In the spring, trees are tapped to make maple and walnut syrup. The farm features registered pygmy goats utilized for the Jump for JOY Program®.
The Jump for JOY Program® has traveled to Ada, Alto, Byron Center, Gowen, Grand Rapids, Grandville, Lansing, Lowell, Kalamazoo, Marshall, Muskegon, Otsego, Rockford, Walker, Wyoming and more. Focused on sharing agriculture with the next generation, Nicole's mission is to spread joy and impact families with farm education.
Parkside Farm offers classes and tours*, photography sessions and pygmy goat visits for birthday parties, churches, events, festivals, libraries, organizations, schools, senior centers and more. The Farm Market offers honey, flowers, goat milk lotions and soaps, gifts, syrup and pumpkins open Wednesday-Sunday 11am-8pm.
Statement of Faith
We welcome and invite families of all backgrounds and beliefs to enjoy the beauty of agriculture. Faith is our foundation and we give credit to Jesus Christ, believing the farm would not exist without His guidance and provision (Matthew 19:26). Through prayer and perseverance, Parkside Farm exists to impact families with farm education.
*Parkside Farm welcomes those of all abilities and has one single and one handicap accessible portable restroom available to tour and class participants.
What Families Say
What a great place to visit (and cute little farm shop too!) The goats are adorable and Nicole is so kind and knowledgeable. The animals are taken care of very well and her property is really nice. Check out her well laid out website and make a reservation to meet some 🐐 goats!!!
- Agricultural Farm Tour - Diane Reardanz
"Nicole is extremely knowledgeable about all her animals and takes such good care of them! You can tell they are all happy, healthy and loved. The farm itself is lovely, and my friends and I all had a wonderful time getting to know all about the critters that live there! I would highly recommend a tour to anyone who is an animal lover."
- Agricultural Farm Tour - Tricia Reed
"My friends and I went on a tour and had such a good time meeting the animals and learning more about what goes into taking care of them. Such a beautiful space with well loved animals!"
- Agricultural Farm Tour - Mariah Anne
"We took our 13yo daughter to the animal joy session with Nicole and it was a wonderful experience. She was very friendly and made us feel right at home. During our visit we were able to see and hold the bunnies, chickens and two adorable baby goats. All of the adult goats were friendly as well and loved the snacks Nicole supplied for us to give them. Nicole is highly knowledgeable and we learned so much about the animals and the history of the farm. Definitely worth the trip!"
- Animal JOY Session Class - Pam Wenson
"I just wanted to let you know that the farm tour was considered a huge success for our Cadet club. I wasn't sure how much they would like it, but it was a big hit. You heard one participant say that he wants Parkside Farm to be an outing for us every year. I think others felt the same. Thanks again, for showing us all the interesting aspects of your farm, and especially you goats. Thanks too, for your testimony during the presentation. It really reinforces everything we try to teach the Cadets all year. "
- Agricultural Farm Tour Client
"Our 3 kids can be pretty uncooperative for photos, but Nicole handled it so well! She was patient and ready for moment when they finally all looked AND smiled. The goats were also very calming for my sensory needs kiddo. The property is beautiful with several great locations. I am very happy with how the photos turned out! "
- Farm Photography Session Client
"I REALLY appreciate you and the pygmy goats coming for my son's 1st birthday. The kids loved it and my son loved it. You, Samuel and Belle made the birthday party super special!"
- Birthday Party Client - Grand Rapids, MI
I had the pleasure of experiencing a tour of Parkside Farm with Nicole. Her knowledge of farm related topics runs deep but what strikes me the most is her passion and love for everything related to her property. The animals are so well cared for and seeing their response to her presence was sweet. She took time to patiently explain farm-ish things to me (someone who grew up in the suburbs😉) and details about the property’s background history.
Her shop has darling things for sale and delicious treats such as maple syrup from her trees, honey and attractive floral arrangements as the weather improves. I’m looking forward to my next visit! I strongly recommend anyone to look into the offerings that Nicole has.
- Agricultural Farm Tour Client
Michigan Mobile Petting Zoo, Agritourism Farm, Airbnb Farmhouse, Grand Rapids Pygmy Goat Farm, Agritainment, Farm School Field Trips, Cut Flowers, Maple & Walnut Syrup
How We're Different
"Our young patrons loved meeting the goats and being able to interact with them. This program is great for a variety of crowd sizes and levels of interest. Patrons who attended the program found it to be informative and friendly, and branch staff all enjoyed working with Nicole to get the program set up. Nicole makes running the program incredibly easy and is amazing at interacting with attendees."
- Jump for JOY Program® - Programming Specialist - Kent District Library (15 branch visits)
"Received all positive feedback. Very engaging and many, many families enjoyed this event very much. Highlight of the Jump for JOY Program® was the smiles on all the children's faces when they interacted with the goats. Definitely recommend to other businesses or event coordinators considering the Parkside Farm for their organization."
- The Otsego Creative Arts Festival
"Everyone LOVED it very much!!! It was a wonderful experience for everyone-even children in strollers and wheelchairs could get close to the goats that were held by an adult. Nicole is very easy to work with-knowledgeable and friendly. The goats are adorable and a big hit with children and adults alike! Worth every penny!"
- Jump for JOY Program® - Ottawa Area ISD
"Thank you, and your team so much! You guys (and the goats) are phenomenal, what a great experience for our community and what a great job you all did! The staff that were able to make it out we're all talking about it and I'm sure I'll hear more positive great things about it! Thank you again. I look forward to working with you in the future."
Resident Engagement & Communications Manager - ICCF Community Homes
"Everyone loved the goats! It was such a great addition to our mother’s day program. Everyone enjoyed learning about the pygmy goats and interacting with them. It was interesting to learn about what pygmy goats eat, comeback in terms of popularity, and care/routines. The residents are still talking about the goats! Definitely book Nicole and her goats! Nicole does a great job interacting with the crowd and answering questions and the goats are entertaining and adorable!"
- Jump for JOY Program® - Wyoming Senior Center
"We absolutely loved having you and your goat! It was a great addition to our Easter Eggstravaganza event. It was definitely engaging and we would absolutely recommend you in the future."
- Jump for JOY Program® - The Learning Experience - Jenison Location
I am a director of activities at a home that specializes in the care for memory loss and I honestly recommend goat therapy for any loved ones whom are struggling or just needs to feel happier or enlightenment/ some happiness. These wonderful animals have brought so much joy to all the residents, staff, and family members who came to participate and engage. It’s truly a wonderful business and the business owner and staff are truly kind and take such care of them. Residents and staff are already asking for another visit.
- Jump for JOY Program® - Grand Brook Memory Care - Grandville Location
"We had a great experience with Parkside Farm at our play café. Kids had a great time feeding the goats, and petting them. We enjoyed story time with Nicole. We highly recommend Parkside Farm for your next event."