THE GOATS WILL SHOW YOU AROUND
Farm adventures are as plentiful as produce in southwest Michigan. Wine tasting at vineyards, ice cream at the dairy, incredible chef-driven meals and markets, u-pick fruit and flowers, and more.
Within this bountiful roster, one farm in particular throws the (barn) doors wide open. Verdant Hollow, a picturesque regenerative farm and farmstead creamery, encourages guests to explore beyond consumption by inviting them into the operation.
Begin with a goat hike, a guided, hour-long walk through gardens, pastures, hardwood forest—and yes, hollow—with the farm’s all-ages goat herd along as companions and ambassadors. Who better to share the landscape than the creatures who happily steward it? It’s a remarkably simple gesture, seeing the land through the goat’s eyes. Genius, really, because in one playful hour, the veil of where food comes from falls away, and conversations about responsible production and consumption begin.
Next, schedule a private tour for a deep dive into the farm’s fascinating story. At its founding in 2016, Verdant Hollow set out to be certified organic and animal-welfare approved, a place where animals, plants, and people thrive together thanks to a plan designed by permaculture activists Peter Bane and Keith Johnson. A lot of farm-y words, but the net effect is easy to understand: restoration of the land’s natural ecosystem, closed-loop, with little to no waste. The level of respect, interdependence, and teamwork among the farm’s many players is a rare and hopeful thing to witness.
Finally, if you find yourself charmed, consider a stay in Verdant Hollow’s black barn. A striking form on the 225-acre property, the barn served as a utility building from the 1800s until its conversion to a home in 1973. Designed by postmodern architect Stanley Tigerman (central figure of the Chicago Seven), it’s three bedrooms, three baths of hippie modern farmer fun. Four entirely open-concept levels connect via a steel spiral staircase, emphasizing the heft and scale of the barn’s original timbers. Large, whimsically shaped windows frame lovely views. And an elevated catwalk leads to a screened 365-degree gazebo overlooking a pretty pond.
While the barn itself is plenty of adventure, especially for cooks who opt to have the kitchen stocked with farm-fresh ingredients, beyond that are nearby wineries, the farm’s trails, and, best of all, if you’ve gone full farm geek at this point, the chance to help with morning and evening chores. Not required, but highly recommended.
Local Tip: In addition to fantastic meat, cheese, eggs, produce, and flowers, Verdant Hollow crafts a limited line of apothecary. A trip to their farm store is worth it for their beautiful goat milk soaps alone.
read our interview with Verdant Hollow farmers Brett Muchow and Molly Muchow
words Collette DiJohn Kemper
images Jodi Bodtke
October 22, 2025
