Goats On The Go – An Iowa City Tradition Is Born

I never thought I would say this, but every summer I look forward to the arrival of…GOATS.

Several years ago I was totally disgusted when I saw an ugly fence placed around the beautiful ravine that borders the elementary school nearby. It’s the school our boys attended so many years ago. That fence looked like the kind of contraption construction workers erect before they begin to tear down a building or dig a huge hole.

I was NOT a happy camper. That ravine was an outdoor classroom  for our kids. It’s complete with a running stream, wild flowers and a walking path. 

I was SO upset I actually called the headquarters of our local school district. I informed the secretary who answered the phone that I was VERY concerned about what plans they might have for that beautiful ravine! (I had visions of a high rise condo building or a mini mall.)

But I was NOT prepared for her to LAUGH at my question! I was surprised by her response…and I was not amused!

When she finally regained her composure she quickly explained that the school district had hired GOATS to eat the vegetation (including poison ivy) that had begun to choke out the good vegetation! So that’s why the ugly temporary fence had been erected around the entire ravine.

Goats On The Go is an Ames, Iowa based company that handles all of the weed chomping details. In fact, the company has expanded and now has an affiliate program! So this year our goats came from nearby Frog Hollow Farm in the Cedar Valley Corridor. 

The company sends in a crew to erect a fence all the way around the area to be “eaten.” They install water troughs and little “sleeping huts” for the herd. Then they deliver a large herd of goats who live in that beautiful forest area until they have completed the task of devouring all the edible weeds and low hanging leaves on the trees. Not one drop of herbicide is used to rid the area of weeds. 

Let’s just say I was slightly embarrassed by my unnecessary indignation that day on the phone. In fact, even this goat seems to be looking at me with disdain as if she knew about my overheated comments to that poor secretary!

Now every summer those hungry goats make short work of their job in that ravine.

It only takes about two weeks for them to clear the area before they are moved to their next buffet.

So yes…summer and goats now go hand in hand in our neighborhood, and I’m actually happy to see that ugly fence arrive.

And this is how that overgrown area looks after the goats move on to greener pastures.

Nature’s lawn mowers do an awesome job!

And they add a bit of fertilizer at the same time!

Yes…that herd of goats make short work of all that greenery, and they’re good for the environment too!

Hmmm…I’m suddenly craving a salad so please pass the dressing.