Goat Grazing for Churches, Schools, Camps and Nonprofits

Church lots, school fields, summer camps, retreat centers and land trusts all share a problem. They own more ground than they can maintain. The grounds crew is one person, the budget is small, and nobody wants to spend donated money on a mowing contract that has to be repeated every year.

When goats are a good fit

• The area is ten acres or more, which is about our minimum. See grazing on less than 10 acres.
• It is overgrown with brush, weeds or fire fuel, not a mowed lawn.
• It is on steep, rough or hard-to-mow ground.
• The property is not in daily use, or part of it can be fenced off for the duration. A back field, a hillside, a creek corridor or the edge of a campus is typical.
• A chemical-free approach matters to the community. Many camps and schools prefer not to spray where children play.

When they are not

A normal school lawn or church lot under a few acres will be cheaper to mow. Small properties do not justify moving a herd. And if the land is used constantly by children or the public, a working herd with guardian dogs may not be compatible with that use.

What to check before you book

• Insurance. Schools, camps and religious organizations almost always need to see a certificate of insurance. Ask for it. See the business side of grazing.
• Your own policy. Talk to your insurer or your board about livestock on the property.
• Separation from the public. A herd and guardian dogs should be fenced away from areas where children walk. Signs help.
• Timing. Schedule grazing when the grounds are least used, such as over the summer for a school or off-season for a camp.
• Local rules. Some cities restrict livestock. We check this, but your board may need to approve the project.

The educational bonus

Schools and camps often see a grazing project as a teaching moment: how land is managed, what the plants are, how fire fuel works. A herder is often happy to answer questions from a safe distance. Some teachers have used a project as a science lesson. Ask your provider whether they are open to it.

Money

Some public and nonprofit landowners are eligible for wildfire-prevention grants that can cover vegetation management. See grants to pay for goat grazing.

Cemeteries are another good example of an institution with large, difficult ground. See how Congressional Cemetery uses goats.