Farm Offers Year-Round Excursions With Goats

Farm Offers Year-Round Excursions With Goats Into the Woods Farm of Middle Grove, N.Y., offers an abundance of ways for visitors to connect with nature. “Being an outdoor educator, it’s always been my goal to encourage people to get outside,” says founder and farm owner Phaedra Zoe Stasyshyn. “I found both goat walks and goat yoga brought more people into the outdoors while also allowing them to experience animals in a natural environment.” Stasyshyn brought five goats home in 2016 and subsequently decided to open her 15-acre wooded property to visitors. “We’re a remote location, so we really gained attention during the pandemic years,” Stasyshyn says. “We stayed operational by offering only private events to allow folks to be outdoors in safety.” Today, the farm provides outdoor experiences for all seasons, including snowshoeing from November to March, and “Wild Walks” with goats for the rest of the year. These walks are private for the group that books, ensuring they cater to the group’s abilities. Goat yoga runs from May through October, weather permitting, for both onsite and offsite experiences. “Experiences run from 9 a.m. through dark seven days a week,” Stasyshyn says. “Sometimes we run three to four experiences a day.” The goats turn visitors into repeat guests. “All fifteen of our Nigerian Dwarf goats have names and distinct personalities,” she says. “They were raised with constant human contact since birth, ensuring they’re gentle and friendly.” Stasyshyn frequently takes the herd on visits to local events, including festivals and the county fair. While all seasons are popular with visitors, snowshoeing comes near the top, due to the farm’s unique elevation at 1,550 ft. above sea level. “It gives us a much snowier winter than even one mile down the road,” she says. “In the eight years since we started offering events, we’ve guided thousands of people. Yoga was the most popular for a while, but the option to wander the woods with goats soon caught up.” Stasyshyn manages all construction and maintenance for the property with her kids. “The truth is, our activities came about as a means of survival for the farm. All of the proceeds for our activities pay for the feed and care of the animals and property, allowing us to continue to offer our unique experiences.” Still, separating work from home life is challenging. “I keep myself and the property available for last-minute reservations 365 days a year. I’ve learned to take vacations when we have dependable farm sitters available,” she says. “It’s also a challenge to keep the property accessible at all times, especially with the changing seasons.” For those interested in maximizing the tourism potential of their properties, Stasyshyn highlights the importance of clearly defined goals. “It has to be a passion, not just a hobby. Farming and running your own business is certainly a labor of love. You have to love the lifestyle and hard work while also being creative.” She believes her success comes down to being scrappy and willing to work hard. “I often tell folks that I do this so I can enjoy my home and property. If I had to hire people for all the things I manage, like driveway maintenance, property care, home improvements, farm care, office work, childcare, etc., we’d never make it. If you’re handy and love staying home with a sporadic schedule, maybe this model is for you. But know that inviting people onto your property is a challenge that needs to be considered in great detail before committing.” All farm visits and events are by appointment only. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Phaedra Zoe Stasyshyn, Into The Woods Farm, 7222 Kilmer Rd., Middle Grove, N.Y. 12850 (ph 518-882-9286; intothewoodsfarm@gmail.com; www.intothewoodsfarmny.com).

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