Goats as farm workers

We have a small herd of miniature goats at the Green Connect farm, all working very hard for us. What’s wonderful is that from the goat’s point of view, they are not actually ‘working,’ but simply living an idyllic goat lifestyle!

After harvesting from a garden bed is complete, we let it rest a while and then bring in the goats. They munch down on the remaining plants, stalks, weeds, and anything else they can find.

By nature, goats are not fussy eaters. In fact, weedy and overgrown areas are their idea of paradise! They are very efficient at transforming all the vegetation into neat little pellets of manure. They then do us the favour of depositing this manure right where we need it – spread all over the garden bed.

It might take a week, or just a few days for small beds, but the transformation is amazing. When their work is complete, we move them on to the next gourmet meal (garden bed) and the cycle continues.

As well as all their hard work clearing vegetation and fertilising for us, we have the pleasure of their company. Goats are gentle, curious, and intelligent animals. I love seeing them each morning, saying hello, and admiring their work. Check out these before and after photos!

Enjoy!

Emily Henderson
Fair Food and Farm Manager

In your box:

Note: We sometimes need to make changes to what we pack in your veg box based on the quantity or quality of produce that we can harvest and source. If you have any questions about what is in your box, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].

Did you know?

Silverbeet & Rainbow chard, both types of swiss chard, are member of the beet family that have ben bred to have broad leaves and fat, juicy leaves instead of a bulbous root. They are a good source of calcium, magnesium and vitamin C and boast many health benefits. They can be cooked in exactly the same way – try adding the leaves to any meal you would normally add spinach and the stems to a stir fry, pasta, or smoothie! To ensure your silverbeet and rainbow chard stay fresher for longer, try wrapping a damp paper towel around the stems and covering the leaves inside a reused plastic bag.