Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Immel.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Our adventure at Nittany Meadow Farm began in 2021, although the farm itself has a rich history dating back to 1816. What started with just five goats and a plan to have a few farm pets quickly grew into something much bigger than we ever imagined.
At first, my husband, Michael, and I had no intention of offering public events. I just wanted to try goat yoga! When I couldn’t find anyone willing to travel to eastern Pennsylvania to try a class, I partnered with a local yoga instructor and invited a group of friends to join us for a session at the farm. The experience was such a hit that they encouraged us to open it to the public—and the rest is history.
Since launching our first public classes in the fall of 2021, we’ve welcomed more than 10,000 participants to our goat yoga events. As the classes continued to grow in popularity, I decided to deepen my own yoga practice and earned my 200-hour yoga teacher certification, allowing me to become more involved in creating and leading memorable experiences for our guests.
As our goats gained popularity, we expanded our offerings in 2022 with the introduction of our Goats2Go bus, bringing our friendly goats directly to parties, celebrations, corporate mental health days, de-stress events, and just about any occasion that could use a little extra joy.
As the farm continued to grow, we proudly opened Centre County’s first goat-only dairy. Today, we produce fresh goat milk, handcrafted goat cheese, and goat milk soap, allowing us to share the many benefits and versatility of goat milk products with our community. We also offer farm stays in our two cozy cottages, giving guests the opportunity to relax, unwind, and experience life on the farm surrounded by beautiful countryside and, of course, plenty of goats.
Today, visitors can enjoy a variety of goat-centered experiences, including farm visits, Goats in Training (GIT) classes where participants help train baby goats for yoga sessions, pajama parties, ugly sweater parties, and other themed events that let guests dress up the goats and have fun together.
We also offer a rotating lineup of specialty experiences throughout the year, such as Goats & Art watercolor classes, goat line dancing, goat stained-glass workshops, farm-to-table dinners, and many other unique activities that combine creativity, community, and the charm of life on the farm.
What began with five goats and a simple desire to try goat yoga has grown into a destination where visitors can connect with animals, enjoy unique farm experiences, sample fresh goat milk products, relax in a cozy cottage, and create lasting memories at Nittany Meadow Farm.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been without a few bumps along the way! When you have a farm full of animals, their health and well-being always come first, so one of our biggest challenges is making sure every goat receives the care and attention they deserve. We wouldn’t have it any other way, but caring for a large, growing herd is a big responsibility.
Like many farms, we’ve also felt the impact of rising feed and supply costs over the past few years. It’s something we’re constantly working through while continuing to provide great experiences for our guests and the best care possible for our animals.
And honestly, one of the biggest struggles is simply finding enough hours in the day! Between caring for the goats, hosting events, making dairy products, welcoming cottage guests, and dreaming up new activities, our to-do list never seems to end. We often joke that what we really need is a few clones of ourselves to get everything done.
That said, seeing the smiles on our guests’ faces and watching people connect with our goats makes all the hard work worth it. The challenges are real, but so are the rewards.
We’ve been impressed with Nittany Meadow Farm, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What should we know?
Nittany Meadow Farm is a family-owned farm located in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, just minutes from Penn State University and downtown State College. What started as a passion for farming and a love of goats has grown into one of the area’s most unique agritourism destinations. The farm combines traditional agriculture with memorable visitor experiences, creating opportunities for people of all ages to connect with animals, nature, and farm life. The farm is home to a herd of dairy goats, pasture-raised livestock, farm stay cottages, and a growing collection of goat-centered activities designed to bring joy, education, and relaxation to visitors.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, and what are you known for?
Nittany Meadow Farm specializes in goat-centered agritourism experiences. Visitors know us for our popular goat yoga classes, private goat visits, goat socials, Goats2Go mobile experiences, farm stays, and seasonal events. We are also recognized as Centre County’s only goat-only dairy, producing fresh goat milk products and handcrafted goat milk soaps. Beyond our goat dairy operation, we raise Angus beef cattle and offer locally produced farm products. Our mission is to create meaningful experiences that allow people to interact with animals while learning more about agriculture and farm life.
What sets you apart from others?
What makes Nittany Meadow Farm unique is the way we blend authentic farming with unforgettable experiences. While many farms focus solely on agriculture, we’ve created a destination where visitors can stay overnight in our cozy farm cottages, practice yoga with playful goats, attend special events, or even have goats brought directly to their location on our Goats2Go bus. Every experience is rooted in real farm life and designed to create genuine connections between people and animals. We believe that spending time with goats has a remarkable ability to reduce stress, spark laughter, and create lasting memories.
What are you most proud of, brand-wise?
We are most proud of the community we’ve built and the happiness our farm brings to visitors. Over the years, we’ve welcomed families, students, tourists, and local residents who leave with smiles, stories, and a newfound appreciation for agriculture. Our brand is centered around creating positive experiences and making farm life accessible to everyone. Whether someone is attending goat yoga, staying in one of our cottages, or meeting our animals for the first time, we strive to create moments of joy that people remember long after they leave the farm. The recognition we’ve received as a tourism destination in the region is a reflection of that commitment.
What do you want readers to know about your brand, offerings, and services?
At its heart, Nittany Meadow Farm is about connection—to animals, to agriculture, and to each other. We offer much more than farm products; we offer experiences. From goat yoga and farm visits to overnight stays and dairy products, everything we do is designed to help people slow down, enjoy the moment, and experience the simple joy that comes from spending time on a working farm. We believe everyone could use a little more goat joy in their lives.
What does success mean to you?
We define success by the positive impact we have on our visitors, our animals, and our community. When guests leave the farm smiling, feeling less stressed, and more connected to nature, we consider that a success. Whether it’s a child meeting a goat for the first time, a group of friends creating memories together, or someone finding a moment of peace during a farm visit, those experiences are what drive us every day.
Success also means staying true to our values as a family-owned farm. We are proud to provide exceptional care for our animals, create authentic agricultural experiences, and continue finding innovative ways to connect people with farm life. As we grow, our goal is to maintain the personal touch and welcoming atmosphere that have become the foundation of the Nittany Meadow Farm brand.
Success is knowing that we’ve created a place where people can experience real joy, learn something new, and leave feeling better than when they arrived.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nittanymeadowfarm.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/nittanymeadowfarm
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nittanymeadowfarm
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@nittanymeadowfarm
