What I Did on My Summer "Vacation" (Spoiler: There Were Goats)

Well, friends… it’s been a minute since I’ve written a blog post. And by “minute,” I mean all summer. And by “all summer,” I mean… okay fine, I didn’t blog at all.

Why? Because life was busy — in the best, sweatiest, goat-filled way possible.

Yes, Van Family Fit was still going strong — workouts, group fitness classes, nutrition coaching, drinking FITTEAM GREENS, FIT, and HYDRATE, and spreading the gospel of a healthier lifestyle.

But this summer, I also decided to lean more into our other business baby: Van Acres Homestead, to better assist our sister farm, Wooly Green Grazers.

The Summer of Goats (and Sheep)

Wooly Green Grazers, run by the amazing and tireless Roxie, works 24/7/365. There are no sick days. No vacation days. Just a whole lot of “gotta make sure the animals are okay” days.

And this year, I wanted to be there for her more. Some of our goats (and a few sheep) go out with her for grazing jobs — eco-friendly vegetation management that’s way cuter and more sustainable than chemicals.

The past few summers, I was gone every weekend running races around Wisconsin. This year, I stayed closer to home. I still ran a few local races, but I traded in road trips for roadside grazing… with goats. And let me tell you — watching strangers stop by a job site every day to learn about and check on our animals? Heart. Melting. 💚

We Got Serious About This Thing

Jason and I decided if we’re going to do this, we’re going to do this.

• Invested in a 16-foot livestock trailer (less trips = happier goats) that I can't wait to slap our dual logo on.

• Took out a commercial loan to upgrade equipment.

• Started brainstorming: goats for grazing, goats for birthday parties, goats at community events, maybe even goats at… your work promotion? (Hey, if people bring donuts to celebrate, why not goats?)

We’re not talking petting zoo style — more like “agriculture on the go.” And because Wisconsin winters exist, we’re also scheming ways to keep the business rolling in the off-season - if you've got ideas... let me hear them!

Fitness… in a Pasture??

Here’s a fun twist we’re adding: Farm Fit Boot Camps.

Picture this: functional fitness (the stuff that actually helps you in real life — lifting groceries, climbing steps, holding kids while opening doors) combined with the peaceful, slightly nosy company of goats and sheep.

No goat yoga here (my 90-pound goats would NOT be gentle about it). Instead, it’s strength, movement, and maybe a little reflection time afterward while we hang out with the animals.

The Hard Work Nobody Sees

It’s not all cute goat selfies. There’s:

• Checking the weather - constantly.

• Rearranging schedules to water morning, noon, and night and being prepared to move them when they say "LET'S MOVE!"

• Prepping for the next move - oddly enough, the goats and sheep have the easy job. The sweat, sun burns, bruises, bug bites, poison ivy, wasp nests, and everything else we encounter.... the hazards are REAL!

• Watching for anything “off” with the animals and being ready to wrangle them to bring them home for vet checks.

• Relying on community members (our unofficial “goat guardians”) when we can’t be there.

• Dealing with "negative Nancy's" - yes, there are the occasional “negative Nancy” comments. We’ve learned to let those roll off because the truth is, our community loves these animals — and we feel that love every single day.

Looking Ahead

We already have three Nubian kids (breed of goat) on reserved for next spring so birthday parties and events will have the “aww” factor built in. And while we’re not breeding ourselves anymore (too much stress), we’ll keep adding a few new littles each summer from outside sources.

This summer reminded me how therapeutic this work is — not just for me, but for everyone who meets our animals. It also made me realize this isn’t just a fun side thing… it’s our future.

So stick with us. Check our updated website. Follow our Facebook and Instagram pages: Van Acres Homestead, Van Family Fit, and Wooly Green Grazers. Winter’s coming, the animals will be home, and I promise — pinky swear — I’ll be better about blogging.

Until then, stay healthy, stay connected, and if you see me in town, don’t be surprised if I’m wearing farm boots with my gym gear. It’s a lifestyle. 😉