NOMIWOMAN SPOTLIGHT Meet Amy Spitznagel, the founding owner of Idyll Farms in Northport. What began as a family’s desire to reconnect with agriculture has grown into an award-winning goat creamery rooted in Northern Michigan. What’s the story behind Idyll Farms? Our story really began with family. Years ago, my husband, Mark, and I were living in Los Angeles with our young children. Mark grew up in Northport, and we wanted them to learn about agriculture, animal husbandry, and where their food comes from. At the same time, the farm-to-table movement was taking shape in Northwest Michigan, and we wanted to become part of it. We purchased a former cherry and apple orchard in Northport and began building what would become Idyll Farms, our regenerative farmstead goat creamery. To help us get started, we brought in cheesemaking consultants from France, who shared traditional methods and trained our current cheesemaker and farm manager, Melissa Hiles. We developed our herd of Certified Humane Alpine® goats and graze them on our Great Lakes Pastures. Today, Melissa transforms our milk into cheeses that have earned more than 70 national and international awards, including multiple medals at the World Cheese Awards. I manage our sales, marketing, and outreach, sharing the story of the farm with chefs, retailers, distributors, and customers. What began as a desire to raise our children with a deeper understanding of farming has grown into an internationally recognized creamery. I am proud of the awards, but I am even more proud that we have created something rooted in family, regenerative agriculture, humane animal care, skilled craftsmanship, and the agricultural heritage of Leelanau. What do you want the women of Northern Michigan to know? I hope women in Northern Michigan realize just how many possibilities this remarkable place offers. Twenty years ago, I never would have imagined that I would own a regenerative farmstead goat creamery with cheeses recognized on the world stage. Yet this region—its beauty, its agricultural heritage, and its spirit of innovation—inspired me to build Idyll Farms. I want women to know that Northern Michigan isn’t just a beautiful place to live; it’s a place where ideas can take root. Whether your passion is farming, food, hospitality, art, conservation, or entrepreneurship, this community encourages creativity and supports people willing to dream big. Sometimes we’re so close to this incredible place that we forget how special it is. I hope more women recognize that they don’t have to leave Northern Michigan to build something meaningful. In many ways, this place gives us everything we need—the inspiration, the community, and the opportunity—to create businesses and lives deeply connected to what matters most. Where can people find you or learn more? People can find us at Tom’s, Meijer Traverse City, Oryana, The Cheese Lady, and featured at restaurants like The Cook’s House, Riverside, and others! We have a seasonal G.O.A.T. cheese vending machine open 24/7 in Northport next door to the Visitors Center. We offer some public tours in summer and special events throughout the year, like goat hikes and baby goat bottle feeding. Please follow us on Instagram or Facebook for more details, or visit idyllfarms.com. Want to be featured in a NoMiWoman Spotlight? Email kerry@northernmichiganwoman.com |
