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Curds, Goats & Gratitude: Life on Bluebird Meadow Farm

Curds, Goats & Gratitude: Life on Bluebird Meadow Farm

The First Goat, The First Cheese

Eighteen years ago, on a quiet stretch of land in Ada, Michigan, Lisa Johnson brought home her very first dairy goat—a sweet Oberhasli named Sweet Pea. It was a humble beginning that would spark a journey rich in flavor, laughter, and connection. At her peak, Sweet Pea produced nearly five quarts of fresh milk a day, and Lisa, curious and inspired, decided to try her hand at cheese making.

Her first success? A classic chèvre. Simple, creamy, and full of tang, it was an instant family favorite. But Lisa didn’t stop there. A cheese making class with Barbara Jenness of Dancing Goat Creamery deepened her love for the craft. Barbara’s passion lit a fire, and Lisa returned to her kitchen with a new purpose: to transform farm-fresh milk into something magical.

From Flops to French Crottin

Of course, not every batch was perfect. Early attempts at mozzarella—especially with goat milk’s delicate curd—taught her patience and persistence. But each misstep was just another step toward mastery. Over time, her cheese repertoire grew to include creamy fromage blanc (a key ingredient in her beloved goat milk ice cream), and eventually, the complex and satisfying French Crottin—a true labor of love.

One of Lisa’s proudest moments came eight years ago at her daughter’s wedding. She crafted a charcuterie board filled with homemade cheeses, a dazzling spread that left guests in awe. “You made all of this?” they asked. She had—and she beamed with pride.

Goat Life & Grandkids

Cheese making, though, is just one slice of life at Bluebird Meadow Farm. On weekdays, Lisa watches her young grandchildren, who eagerly pitch in with chores and help care for the animals. The farm is a place where life and death are honored side by side, where each day is cherished as a gift. Her husband, a hospice chaplain, brings this perspective to their shared life, and the two have built a space that radiates warmth, healing, and joy.

Sweet Annie & the Herd

And then there are the goats—each one named after flowers or herbs. Trillium, Nutmeg, Lemon, Daffodil… and the legendary Sweet Annie. Nicknamed “The Flying Goat,” Annie was known for escaping fences and casually lounging on the porch like a dog. Her curious, affectionate nature made her unforgettable—and her grand-“kids” now carry on her legacy, keeping the pasture lively.

A New Kind of Movement: Goat Yoga

In 2018, Lisa’s love of goats took a whimsical turn when her children gifted her a ticket to goat yoga. The experience was unforgettable, blending movement and laughter in a way that left her and her husband thinking, We could do this at home. So they did. Goat yoga classes at Bluebird Meadow quickly grew into a beloved tradition, drawing people from all walks of life to stretch, breathe, and giggle as baby goats frolicked nearby.

Building a Community with Hooves and Heart

As the classes grew, so did the community. Lisa completed her 250-hour yoga teacher training and now teaches the sessions herself, with the help of “goat wranglers” and her ever-supportive husband, who handles photography and social media. Together, they’ve built more than just a farm—they’ve cultivated a place where people feel safe, seen, and soothed.

More Than Just a Farm

In addition to cheese and yoga, Lisa and her family also run two unique Airbnb rentals—one right on the farm, and another in a primitive log cabin built in the 1830s, nestled in the Manistee National Forest. Each space offers guests a window into a simpler, slower way of life, where food is fresh, the air is clean, and joy comes from the little things.

Bluebird Meadow Farm Airbnb
Log Cabin Airbnb

Farm-to-Table, Every Day

For Lisa, cheese making is more than a craft—it’s a way to connect with the land, with her animals, and with others. Cooking meals from ingredients grown and raised on the farm has become a way of life so nourishing, it’s made eating out feel unnecessary. After all, when your ingredients come straight from the source—fresh milk, eggs, herbs, and vegetables—it’s hard to beat the taste of home.

A Place That Feels Like Love

Every class, every cuddle, every moment of shared laughter under the West Michigan sky reminds Lisa why she does this. “People tell us this place feels peaceful, therapeutic… like love,” she says. “That’s the real gift we get to share.”

Visit Bluebird Meadow Farm

Want to experience the magic for yourself? Come stretch, breathe, and maybe even get a goat kiss or two.

Website: bluebirdmeadowgoatyoga.com
Instagram: @bluebirdmeadowgoatyoga
Address: 2821 Boynton Ave NE, Ada, Michigan 49301
Phone: 616-644-3328

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