A kid lies in the hay, pressed shoulder to shoulder against another. (Photo: Windy Goat Acres)
By Jessica O’Riley
Have you ever wanted to get away from it all? Like, truly away from it all, where your cellphone coverage is iffy so you can really unplug from daily life? Where the day stretches luxuriously before you and the most pressing decision you have is whether to feed the goats or take a walk with a llama? Allow me to introduce you to Windy Goat Acres near Chelsea.
The property is the brainchild of Jessica Kettler and her partner, Jim Carney. It started with just a horse, a few goats and some chickens. Kettler was a full-time artist at the time, so they dabbled in hosting small arts festivals and intimate events. “A few years later, we had the vision to host retreats, larger events and fun farm stays for families to connect with animals and nature,” she said.
The vision took shape during the COVID pandemic. “We wanted to offer people a space where they could simply wake up to a peaceful country life filled with sunsets, fresh farm eggs and veggies, and peacefulness away from the chaos.”
Carney, an experienced carpenter, drew up plans for the three cabins, two yurts and one Hobbit House (yes, really). Reservations can be made on Hipcamp. In 2025, the site was named one of Hipcamp’s 50 favorite places to camp in the United States. Rates start at $130 per night.
“We have witnessed so many amazing, joyful moments on the farmstead, everything from engagements to anniversaries, to people building community, to folks learning about plants and biodiversity, to learning about our farm animals and wildlife,” Kettler said.
Currently, you’ll find goats, sheep, llamas, horses, ducks, chickens, peacocks, emus and potbelly pigs. People “are generally so excited to see the baby goats and the fun animal interactions, to walk up to the grazing horses, or feed a Popsicle to Bentley, the potbelly pig,” Kettler said. “People love to watch the peacocks put on a full tail display, and maybe get a llama kiss, too.” Other animal interaction opportunities include sitting with bunnies, hiking with llamas and socializing with goat.
Several events are still held at the site, including the popular Hobbits and Elves weekend on June 20-21. In its fourth year, the immersive experience transforms the property into Middle Earth, where you can try your hand at Elven archery and axe throwing, sip some Hobbit tea, embark on an enchanting quests and enjoy live music. Tickets start at $13.
“It makes us feel like we are doing good work when people are enthusiastic about their experiences connecting with a specific animal on the farm, or being able to turn the phone off and just enjoy each other’s company or their own company, to see an open sky of stars, or pick an apple off a tree, listen to the owls or just bask in all the nature sounds,” Kettler said. “We find it so meaningful to offer just a sense of calm with this place, and to facilitate wholesome core memories.”
Contributing writer Jessica O’Riley of Pleasant Hill worked for nearly 20 years with Travel Iowa, the state tourism office, after a previous stint with the Iowa State Fair.
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