How to Plan a Visit to Parkside Farm and FAQs

Would you like to visit Parkside Farm? Here’s all you need to know and more! For questions, please call: 616-201-0220 or email: info@nicolezaagman.com

Plan a visit to Parkside Farm:

Step 1: Book an appointment. Please do not show up to the farm without one expecting to tour the farm or see the animals. Parkside Farm is run and managed full time by Nicole Zaagman and an appointment is needed for entry into the farm. You can easily book your farm tour or agricultural class online or by calling: 616-201-0220.

Step 2: Come prepared. Please wear appropriate clothing per weather conditions and closed toed shoes. In the cooler spring and late fall months, Nicole recommends dressing in layers. In the summertime, short sleeves and long pants are ideal. Closed toed shoes can be tennis shoes or boots depending on preference. Parkside Farm offers a hot water hand washing station and hand sanitizer for sanitation and currently one single and one handicap accessible portable (porta john) restroom for tour and class participants.

Step 3: Enjoy your visit! Whether you come in spring, summer or fall, you’re sure to have a ball! One you arrive, your family or group will be directed where to park by the Farm Market. Once you unload, the fun begins! Depending on what type of appointment you have booked, Nicole will guide you through the next stage or step of your tour or class. Families and groups are encouraged to ask questions and take pictures meeting the animals. Nicole loves answering questions from all ages and encourages all who visit to connect and support their local farms.

Parkside Farm FAQs

• Do you have public hours? Currently, Parkside Farm is by appointment only. Families and groups can book a farm tour or agricultural class Thursday - Saturday, 11am to 6pm and Sunday, 2pm to 6pm. If you have a group larger than 10 and you need an alternative week day or time, please call: 616-201-0220 to schedule. The Farm Market is open to the public daily, 10am - 9pm, May to July and Wednesday - Sunday 11pm - 8pm, August to November. You do not need an appointment to shop the market.
  

• Can I come to your farm for free? Though Nicole would love to be able to allow free visits, that simply doesn’t pay the numerous bills and time it takes to run the farm, costs of insurance and the animal care expenses. Parkside Farm is Nicole’s full time occupation and the cost for appointments is how she provides for her family, the farm and the animals. Nicole offers two free, open to the public events at the farm throughout the year. Events require an online RSVP. Check out Parkside Farm’s current event schedule. If you’re looking for a free petting zoo, check out Deep Roots in Alto, MI.

  
  

  

  
  

• Can I come see the animals? If you’d like to come see the animals and pygmy goats, please book an appointment for a farm tour or agricultural class. Our farm tours and classes are private experiences which sets us a part from other agritourism operations. When you book an appointment your group is the only group on the farm at that time. If you’re looking for an educational, hands on private experience without hundreds of other patrons, we are the farm for you. Please don’t show up to Parkside Farm expecting to see the animals or cut flowers without a confirmed, scheduled appointment.
  

• How do I book an appointment or bouquet class? Families and groups can book a farm tour or agricultural class online Thursday - Saturday, 11am to 6pm and Sunday, 2pm to 6pm. If you would like to schedule a custom farm experience by phone or have a group larger than 10 and you need an alternative week day or time, please call: 616-201-0220 to schedule.

• How can I book a mobile Jump for JOY Program with the pygmy goats?

  You can book a JOY Party or JOY Visit for your children's birthday party, corporate event, community festival, senior center, school and more at this link. Click the BOOK NOW button and fill out the form with your specific event details.

• How do I book a photography session at the farm? Very similarly to scheduling a farm tour or agricultural class appointment, you can book a photography session at the farm online or by calling: 616-201-0220.

• How can I shop the Farm Market? To shop the Farm Market, you can shop in person without an appointment or you can shop online year round and select when you’d like to pick up your order. Parkside Farm offers custom floral arrangements by request. The Farm Market is open to the public daily, 10am - 9pm, May to July and Wednesday - Sunday 11pm - 8pm, August to November. You do not need an appointment to shop the market. All farm tours and agricultural classes include a curated shopping experience at the conclusion with Nicole prior to departure.
  

• Where can I find the farm’s open to the public event schedule? You can find the farm’s public event schedule here.

• Is Parkside Farm handicap accessible? Nicole welcomes individuals of all abilities to the farm. Currently, the farm is not fully handicap accessible. Parkside Farm has one single and one handicap portable restroom (porta johns) available to tour and class participants. Those with mobility challenges are invited to experience a condensed version of the farm in a level outdoor space at the farm. Animals will be brought to participants to engage with, learn about and enjoy. If booking a standard farm tour or agricultural class, these experiences include walking and covering a variety of different terrains and elevations.

• Can we stay overnight at the farm?

  Yes! Parkside Farm offers a unique farm stay rental in a 100 year old farm house perfect for family vacations or mid term corporate housing. The home has 3 bedrooms upstairs with additional sleeping arrangements on the main floor to sleep up to 10 guests. Please note, the farmhouse is not handicap accessible and includes a wooden stair case to get upstairs. You can book an overnight farm stay reservation year round directly with the farm and save.