At Nostra Farm, we know it matters how you deal with troublesome invasives and tough to navigate terrain. Heavy equipment and insecticides may temporarily disguise the problem, but they leave the soil devoid of structure, destroy ecosystems, and poison the environment for future growth.
There's a better way: using the same grazing practices we employ on our farm, we use our crews of goats and sheep to clear your most stubborn overgrowth. Through animal-driven mitigation, we help protect waterways, rebuild soil, and minimize disturbance to fragile ecosystems.
Either through pictures/video or an in-person tour, we'll help make sure goats are your best option. Occasionally we will charge a deposit for a site survey - this is generally due to distance outside our service area or if the client has been a previous no-show.
We'll clear a path for portable electric fencing and ensure the area remains safe and secure for the animals. This fee can be higher if the electric fencing needs to be moved multiple times throughout the project.
Each of our crews consists of 12-15 goats selected to be the right fit for your project. For sites with a combination of vining material and grasses, we may incorporate sheep to graze overgrowth. We quote and book projects based on our estimated crew days to complete. Add-on days upon completion may be possible based on scheduling but are not guaranteed.
For projects outside of our primary service area (generally within 60 miles/90 minutes of La Plata, MD) we charge an additional fee to account for additional time required to complete animal and site maintenance. In some circumstances this can include cost to lodge a farm employee near the project.
The lack of thumbs means goats are pretty bad at cleaning up after themselves. We provide optional human-directed site clean-up including raking, weed-whacking, clearing debris, cutting down stripped canes, etc. so that all you have to worry about is watching the progress.
We know better than anyone how cute they are. For highly visible projects, family and community interest can be a distraction for the animals as they work. In these circumstances, we can provide some of our more snuggleable goats to satisfy all of your animal lovers and keep the crew hard at work.
Whether you're struggling with Poison Ivy, Honeysuckle, Multiflora Rose, or a host of other hard to eradicate plants, our goats are the solution to your problem. Targeted grazing is more effective than mechanical removal at preventing regrowth.
Even the toughest equipment can't efficiently navigate the spaces goats were born to traverse. When terrain is a consideration, goats are one of the most cost-effective ways to clear overgrown areas.
Unlike mechanical and herbicidal methods, using animals for land clearing is not just safer, it actually improves your soil. Through plant stalk crimping, aeration from hooves, and *ahem* natural fertilizer, our goats leave your land better than they found it.
Have questions or need assistance? Fill out the form below, and our team will get back to you shortly. We're here to help!
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