Manchester ZBA Approves Goat Yoga at Local Farm

MANCHESTER,CT — Goat yoga is officially back at a local farm.

The Zoning Boards of Appeals on Wednesday night voted 4-1 to overturn a zoning enforcement officer's July 26 cease-and-desist order against Aussakita Acres Farm. The farm is located at 555 Lydall St.

The ruling was that goat yoga was not an appropriate use in a "rural residence" zone. The farm had appealed and was granted a waiver.

The order said health and recreation-related activities did not fit. Farm owners said they wanted to "convince the ZBA that Goat Yoga was a farming activity."

They added in a Facebook post, "Tonight was a huge win for the farmers of Manchester and the community as a whole. Hopefully the Zoning department will change our regulations to better define farming, agritourism, and agriculture so other farms will not have to go through the difficulties that we have. Goat Yoga will continue and so will other farming activities here on Aussakita Acres Farm. We are more dedicated than ever to bringing people to our farm and into our community."

Photo Credit: Aussakita Acres Farm