First Church of Christ in Simsbury had a poison ivy problem, but they did not want to use chemicals around children who go to the preschool on the property, so they looked for something more natural. They found the solution in goats.
“Poison ivy is a treat for goats. It's as if we put a fancy salad with a vinaigrette dressing, that's how they feel about the poison ivy,” Karyn Cordner, a church board member, said. “They're not allergic to it, so it's a great solution to get rid of it and also to preserve the environment.”
Goat scaping is a growing trend in Connecticut and John Mason is supplying his herd of six goats, including Eddie and Tom Brady, from the herd at his landscaping service, John Mason Enterprises, in West Suffield.
He rents the goats out for a week at a time for around $700, which the church is paying for through donations.
Mason sets up a fence and the goats start nibbling away, basically suffocating the poison ivy vines by eating the leaves.
“They'll eat the leaves of the poison ivy, the brush. They'll eat anything that's three-quarters inch or smaller, usually right down to the ground,” Mason said.
The goats can clear about a quarter-acre to half and acre in about six days.
The herd will arrive at the church in Simsbury this weekend.
