A group of San Francisco goats regularly rented out for clearing brush are being used to eat old Christmas trees. Now, company that owns the goats is pursuing nonprofit status to push a climate change agenda.
What began with San Francisco Bay Railroad owner David Gavrich buying a few goats to graze along the railroad tracks grew into an 80-goat rental business. Clients of City Grazing hire the animals most often for the purpose of clearing brush in the San Francisco Bay area, according to Fox 5 News. Gavrich purchased the first goats about eight years ago.
The Christmas tree disposal program partners with the San Francisco Fire Department, keeping in mind that dry, old trees can be a home fire hazard.
City Grazing is headed toward nonprofit status with the goal of focusing on “carbon sequestration” and “community outreach.” The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes carbon dioxide capture and sequestration as “a set of technologies that can greatly reduce CO2 emissions from new and existing coal- and gas-fired power plants and large industrial sources.”
Some may be worried about the safety of the goats, but the report notes that “the trees have extra vitamin C and provide de-worming benefits” for the goats. Trees that have flame retardant treating are not fed to the goats.
“They all have names,” City Grazing general manager Genevieve Church told the local news outlet. “Most of them know their names too, but they don’t necessarily come when you call. Because they’re goats.”
Church did add that the goats do get tired of eating Christmas trees “so by the second weekend they’re getting a little sluggish.” The company’s goal is to get each goat to eat two trees.
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