About Nicole Zaagman (Cowgirl Cole)

Bestselling author, coach, entrepreneur and speaker, Nicole Zaagman grew up showing horses, bantam chickens, pygmy goats, horses and rabbits in 4-H. A 2009 graduate of Spring Arbor University holding a BA in graphic design, she worked corporately before starting her creative agency in 2014. During that time Nicole opened a photography studio with her mother in Grand Rapids and became a certified dog therapy handler team with West MI Therapy Dogs. In the years following, Nicole volunteered doing art assisted activities with Artist Creating Together and later spent two years working in equine therapy with Equine Assisted Development. In 2021, Nicole founded Parkside Farm and restarted her pygmy goat herd and witnessed the joy that her pygmy goats provided local families.

 

In December 2022, Nicole wrote, photo-illustrated and published a children's storybook called, Samson the Baby Pygmy Goat. In early 2023, Nicole launched the Jump for JOY Program® a farm education program utilizing pygmy goats for family celebrations, senior centers and special events that travels the state of Michigan. In December 2024, Nicole published her second children's book, Stella Bella's Pygmy Goat Miracles. Nicole judges at youth poultry shows around the state of Michigan and is a current member of the American Goat Society, National Pygmy Goat Association, International Organization of Professional Life Coaches, Kent County Youth Agricultural Association, Michigan Agritourism Association, Michigan Short Term Rental Association, Michigan Farm Bureau and is currently serving as the District 5 - Kent County Farm Bureau Board Member.