Post by SpyderLady on Apr 5, 2007 6:43:31 GMT -6
Kudzu Kids Are Back By Popular Demand - And Then Some
Set May 21-24 At Greenway Farm
by Betsy Bramlett
April 5, 2007
Chattanooga, Tennessee
The "kudzu goats" are heading back to Missionary Ridge, with a major expansion planned for the experimental project.
The first phase conducted over a three-month period last fall involved electric fencing and provision of water and power to accommodate about 30 goats to chow down on the invasive vine.
The site selected was city-owned property above the west side of the Missionary Ridge Tunnel.
"The success was beyond our wildest imagination," said Jerry Jeansonne, self-described "official goat dude" for the Chattanooga Public Works Department.
Yes, they came, they saw and they conquered.
"They ate it all up. They really cleared it," he said.
The second phase, set to begin a week from now, will "nip it in the bud" by targeting new growth. He says that if the goats do their job and consume the plant's green leaves, the kudzu will die.
The original test section is now being extended 100 feet south on city property as well as adjacent private property to the north, which will not be at taxpayers' expense.
"This will be a real plus for us," Mr. Jeansonne said of the partnership, "because kudzu spreads like wildfire."
He said if was allowed to go unchecked it would negate the city's progress on its site.
"We can't wait to have the goats," said the participating neighbor. "We've been battling it for years. We've had backhoes, we've rolled it back and nothing seems to work. I take clippers with me when I walk off the porch and up the sidewalk to the car, and I use them again when I go back down. It grows that fast. It's amazing."
Maurice Beavers, who is contracted with the city for the project, says that McCallie School has also expressed an interest in kudzu eradication but that nothing has been finalized so far. Calls to confirm were not returned.
"Have goats, will travel," he said.
He also plans to bring back two of his donkeys, which tend to bond with goats and protect them against predators.
Unfortunately, they weren't much help last year when dogs somehow got into the enclosure and killed three goats.
"They're good with coyotes, but they were as scared as the goats about the dogs," he said. "They were running for their lives, too."
In that regard, extra measures on fencing will be taken to assure the safety of the animals.
What will sound like music to the ears of residents on the eastern side of the McCallie Tunnel, the city plans to tackle that slope, too.
"I'm thrilled," said Judy Montague upon hearing the news. A resident of
2 South Crest Road, she says that despite efforts to cut it, chop it or wish it away, it's just impossible to control.
"Especially when it rains, you can just see it growing. It acts like it's just going to reach out and grab you."
Pending a formal agreement between Mr. Beavers and the city, goats will be fenced in and released at the foot of the Ridge on South Seminole Drive between Rose Terrace and Rosemont Drive.
"I hope they can make it up here, because it's so steep that I can't get one foot over into the kudzu to fight it without falling," she said.
"I'm going to have a party when I see them up here!"
Of course, there's a lot more kudzu in Chattanooga than on the Ridge, which begs the question whether anyone can have kudzu-eating goats.
The current city ordinance declares it is "unlawful to possess goats on property other than agriculturally zoned land, unless such animals are kept on a tract of land containing five or more contiguous acres. They have to be kept in a manner which does not constitute a nuisance, including foul or offensive odors."
Now, here's the "gotcha" part.
The next paragraph says, among other things that "this section shall not be construed to apply to persons possessing such animals….which are located temporarily on property for the purpose of kudzu control."
Well?
While the city has not yet revised its ordinance, it looks like goats are going to be welcome with certain restrictions.
"Everybody now wants to have a goat," said Steve Leach, director of the Public Works Department, "but there's more to it than just putting one out in the yard."
Enter the first "Goat Browse Academy" scheduled for May 21-24 at Greenway Farm to provide information about goats, their role in fighting kudzu, their care and keeping. The curriculum will include sessions on required fencing, power, water, nutrition and appropriate goat breeds.
"Participants in the academy can be accredited, and then they'll be on our 311 referral list for property owners to call if they want to hire some help," Mr. Jeansonne said.
The academy is a cooperative effort by the city of Chattanooga, the University of Tennessee Extension and Tennessee State University.
"It will be a hands-on session," said Dr. Ray Burden of UT Extension.
He said that participants will see goats in action at an adjacent site to Greenway Farm which will ultimately become a "leash-free area" for pet owners to bring their dogs for exercise and recreation.
The academy is not just limited to people planning to get into the business of goat herding.
"Anyone who has a kudzu problem and wants to hire a goat contractor might want to attend to learn about what you should expect and what your responsibilities are," he said.
The registration fee is $125, and will include lunch.
What's the menu?
"Yes, we're going to have goat dishes," Dr. Burden said, "but we're not going to eat the ones that we want to eat kudzu."
Set May 21-24 At Greenway Farm
by Betsy Bramlett
April 5, 2007
Chattanooga, Tennessee
The "kudzu goats" are heading back to Missionary Ridge, with a major expansion planned for the experimental project.
The first phase conducted over a three-month period last fall involved electric fencing and provision of water and power to accommodate about 30 goats to chow down on the invasive vine.
The site selected was city-owned property above the west side of the Missionary Ridge Tunnel.
"The success was beyond our wildest imagination," said Jerry Jeansonne, self-described "official goat dude" for the Chattanooga Public Works Department.
Yes, they came, they saw and they conquered.
"They ate it all up. They really cleared it," he said.
The second phase, set to begin a week from now, will "nip it in the bud" by targeting new growth. He says that if the goats do their job and consume the plant's green leaves, the kudzu will die.
The original test section is now being extended 100 feet south on city property as well as adjacent private property to the north, which will not be at taxpayers' expense.
"This will be a real plus for us," Mr. Jeansonne said of the partnership, "because kudzu spreads like wildfire."
He said if was allowed to go unchecked it would negate the city's progress on its site.
"We can't wait to have the goats," said the participating neighbor. "We've been battling it for years. We've had backhoes, we've rolled it back and nothing seems to work. I take clippers with me when I walk off the porch and up the sidewalk to the car, and I use them again when I go back down. It grows that fast. It's amazing."
Maurice Beavers, who is contracted with the city for the project, says that McCallie School has also expressed an interest in kudzu eradication but that nothing has been finalized so far. Calls to confirm were not returned.
"Have goats, will travel," he said.
He also plans to bring back two of his donkeys, which tend to bond with goats and protect them against predators.
Unfortunately, they weren't much help last year when dogs somehow got into the enclosure and killed three goats.
"They're good with coyotes, but they were as scared as the goats about the dogs," he said. "They were running for their lives, too."
In that regard, extra measures on fencing will be taken to assure the safety of the animals.
What will sound like music to the ears of residents on the eastern side of the McCallie Tunnel, the city plans to tackle that slope, too.
"I'm thrilled," said Judy Montague upon hearing the news. A resident of
2 South Crest Road, she says that despite efforts to cut it, chop it or wish it away, it's just impossible to control.
"Especially when it rains, you can just see it growing. It acts like it's just going to reach out and grab you."
Pending a formal agreement between Mr. Beavers and the city, goats will be fenced in and released at the foot of the Ridge on South Seminole Drive between Rose Terrace and Rosemont Drive.
"I hope they can make it up here, because it's so steep that I can't get one foot over into the kudzu to fight it without falling," she said.
"I'm going to have a party when I see them up here!"
Of course, there's a lot more kudzu in Chattanooga than on the Ridge, which begs the question whether anyone can have kudzu-eating goats.
The current city ordinance declares it is "unlawful to possess goats on property other than agriculturally zoned land, unless such animals are kept on a tract of land containing five or more contiguous acres. They have to be kept in a manner which does not constitute a nuisance, including foul or offensive odors."
Now, here's the "gotcha" part.
The next paragraph says, among other things that "this section shall not be construed to apply to persons possessing such animals….which are located temporarily on property for the purpose of kudzu control."
Well?
While the city has not yet revised its ordinance, it looks like goats are going to be welcome with certain restrictions.
"Everybody now wants to have a goat," said Steve Leach, director of the Public Works Department, "but there's more to it than just putting one out in the yard."
Enter the first "Goat Browse Academy" scheduled for May 21-24 at Greenway Farm to provide information about goats, their role in fighting kudzu, their care and keeping. The curriculum will include sessions on required fencing, power, water, nutrition and appropriate goat breeds.
"Participants in the academy can be accredited, and then they'll be on our 311 referral list for property owners to call if they want to hire some help," Mr. Jeansonne said.
The academy is a cooperative effort by the city of Chattanooga, the University of Tennessee Extension and Tennessee State University.
"It will be a hands-on session," said Dr. Ray Burden of UT Extension.
He said that participants will see goats in action at an adjacent site to Greenway Farm which will ultimately become a "leash-free area" for pet owners to bring their dogs for exercise and recreation.
The academy is not just limited to people planning to get into the business of goat herding.
"Anyone who has a kudzu problem and wants to hire a goat contractor might want to attend to learn about what you should expect and what your responsibilities are," he said.
The registration fee is $125, and will include lunch.
What's the menu?
"Yes, we're going to have goat dishes," Dr. Burden said, "but we're not going to eat the ones that we want to eat kudzu."
