Google got goats
Goats gain popularity as green lawnmowers, with Los Angeles, Arizona and now Google seeking the creatures' low-carbon services.
Tue, May 05 2009 at 11:59 PM EST
5
Photo: Eric Richardson/Flickr As environmentalism hits the mainstream, gas-guzzling lawnmowers are giving way to -- goats. The latest goat-getter is Google, which decided to rent some goats from California Grazing to mow the fields at its Mountain View headquarters (via Treehugger).
A herder brings about 200 goats and they spend roughly a week with us at Google, eating the grass and fertilizing at the same time. The goats are herded with the help of Jen, a border collie. It costs us about the same as mowing, and goats are a lot cuter to watch than lawn mowers.
In fact, goats can serve as unusual live entertainment in urban areas. Last September, the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency brought in goats to clean up a steep downtown area -- prompting passersby to stop and watch. "Some wondered whether the goats were part of a movie scene or some kind of performance art, while others made jokes about the approaching lunch hour and goat barbecue," reported the L.A. Times, which also noted that the goats' services were several thousand dollars cheaper -- and a lot more eco-friendly -- than a weed whacking crew.
Mesa, Ariz., also had goats clean up 30 acres earlier this year. In addition to saving money, the goats also just do a better job than polluting machines, according to the City of Mesa's website:
Goats possess a unique characteristic that separates them from almost all other types of livestock; they will eat just about anything resembling a plant. They can clear vegetation from hard-to-reach places, and they'll eat the seeds that pesticides and mowing leave behind, preventing vegetation from coming back next year.
Efficient! Got goats in your neighborhood?
(MNN homepage photo: Kevin/Flickr)
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Comments
Ruth
05/25/2009 03:28 AM
The fusion between agriculture and cities make a lot of sense. Since industrialization, we have lost our capacity to provide our own food and have become dependent on an economy which is more and more expoiting us. "Urban Farming" brings back the idea of subsistence to people and mitigates the fear of starvation. It makes possible to take control again over one's life and break away from consumerism. I hope, lawn mowing goats are just the beginning. I kept sheep for many years and it was a very.... More
Vicky - Anticelebrity.net
05/10/2009 11:59 AM
Excellent solution... although Google will probably start selling Adsense on the goats soon to make some money!
Siel
05/09/2009 16:40 PM
I'd imagine that different cities / states have different laws.... If you're really considering hiring your own goats, you might try consulting a local farmer. Animal control may also be a good place to start inquiring --
erin.p.fielding
05/06/2009 17:19 PM
I wonder if you have to get a special permit to bring in the goats, because they are livestock??? Does anyone know?
courtney1946
05/06/2009 14:31 PM
I love it. Lawn care that makes sense. Why don't we see more of this all around this country and even the world - courtney in virginia USA
