Neighbor News
Stoneham Goats Back At Their Farm
goats succeed in their edible employment to clear land of invasive plants. ...by Debbi Collar/photo credit Debbi Collar & Elaine Foley
The goats are back at their farm in Colchester.Nancy, DJ North, Fetta and Billy Rae have now gone home.
The four worked hard while in Stoneham last month. They cleared the land of invasive plants. That patch of various shrubs was was a short walk away from the Botume house on Woodland Road. . The goats were gainfully employed by Stoneham Volunteers in conjunction with DCR (Department of Conservation and Recreation) Rangers. Keeping the "kids"well as the goats worked were various human volunteers.
Last year's project lasted only one week. The goats did so well in clearing that patch of land that they wee given a larger area of land this year and a second week to do the job. Eventually, a pollination garden will be located near that portion of Spot Pond in Stoneham.
Find out what's happening in Melrosefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Photos were taken throughout the goats two weeks of employment.
"Nancy" lost her collar during a morning walk and one volunteer was enlisted to convince her that she should be wearing it at all times.
Find out what's happening in Melrosefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
That dance began with a bow to the human.
Following a heart to heart talk with the goat, the human caught assistance from another "kid" on the grounds. If the human could not convince Nancy to put her collar back on, maybe another goat would be more successful.
This goat looked on as the battle of will ensued.
Maybe more than one goat would be of assistance.
This goat contemplated how to get his coworker, "Nancy" to allow a human to put the collar back on her neck.
Other goats continued with the job. they were hired to do.
Even "Nancy" took a few minutes to continue her work during the encounter of whether or not to put her collar back on for the evening.
Final score for Nancy vs. her human counterpart regarding wearing the collar
Nancy 1 ( or won)
Human -0
Final score for the two week land clearing project by the goats deemed a success for the second year in a row.
A job well done by the goats.
The organization, Stoneham Volunteers, along with those who participated in caring for the goats during their stay at Spot Pond and Park Rangers also deserve credit for their hard work.
