Goats to trim invasives, reduce herbicide use

A herd of more than 20 goats will mow a troublesome patch of blackberries and weeds on a steep slope near the Portland Public Schools headquarters starting this week. The goats are accompanied by a llama named Monty that protects them from predators.

For the district groundskeepers, the work would take a minimum of three to four days and cost an estimated $4,800-$6,000, plus an extra dumping fee of $500. The goat rental cost is estimated at $1,600-$2,800 with no dumping fee.

The fenced-in, half-acre patch of land between the back side of the PPS central office and the Water Bureau property is on a steep slope with chest-high blackberry bushes and ivy. The patch had been left to grow for the past decade as district budget cuts and lay offs ate into the district grounds staff and remaining resources were focused on the schools.

Blackberries, thorns, sticks, they'll eat it



More and video at link: http://www.pps.k12.or.us/news/9100.htm

This has been done before, of course, but it always makes me happy to hear about it being done again. Plus the phrase: "The goats are accompanied by a llama named Monty" makes me giggle.