*FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS *

How do you keep the goats contained?

I use a portable electric net fence from Premier 1 (Electric Fence and Netting for Goats - Premier1Supplies). Each set of fencing is 164 feet long and can be adjusted to fit most shapes depending on the area. The goats are trained to the fence from a young age and do not test it. The fencing also serves as a deterrent to predators.

How much plant material and how fast will the goats clear an area?

It is estimated that 3 goats can clear an acre full of weeds in 3 weeks. I currently have a small herd of 7 goats so we generally won’t take jobs that need more than an acre cleared unless you want us to stay for a long time! The time it will take for them to clear an area varies greatly depending on the density of plants growing in area, contact me for a consultation and I can give you an estimate on time. See the Resources section for local goat grazing operations who have many more goats who can clear larger areas of land quicker. 

Will goats perfectly mow my lawn?

Goats will eat grass, but their favorite treats are herbaceous weeds as well as woody trees and shrubs. They will generally not eat the plants down uniformly to the same level like a lawn mower; there will often be leftover stems sticking up here and there. While they do girdle and strip trees, the trunks will remain. I do offer a scything and pruning services to go through and clean up afterwards if you are looking for a cleaner aesthetic. 

Do goats eat everything?

Goats will eat most plants, although there are some toxic plants which they will generally avoid, I will also assess your property for highly toxic plants during the consultation. Goats will eat your fruit trees, your veggie garden, and landscape plants, so I will also assess if the areas that need clearing can be separated from your valued plants. 

What jobs will you and the goats not accept?

We do not accept jobs where toxic herbicides, pesticides, and or fertilizers have been used in the past several years. These chemicals can cause miscarriage and other serious health problems and diseases for goats as well as humans. There also needs to be enough space for a big truck and trailer to be pulled into to safely move the goats to the targeted area. We also don’t accept jobs where there is a high risk of predation by stray dogs or other animals, ideally your property is securely fenced. For more rural areas we can arrange for the goatherder to stay onsite as well as our livestock guardian dogs. Contact us for a consult to determine if your property is right for goat grazing.

What are your rates?

Rates vary depending on the amount of goats, additional gardening services, size of the plot, distance from our location, and other factors. Contact us for time estimates and consults to make a plan and determine pricing. We offer sliding scale rates and discounts for low income, disabled, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Queer and Trans people, as well as for small scale farmers.