Showing posts with label goat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goat. Show all posts

Goat herd hired for regular gig at Pan Terra Pump Station in Shoreline

Sunday, April 14, 2024

Pan Terra Pump Station at 185th and Dayton
Map courtesy City of Shoreline

Our favorite goat herd has been hired for a regular gig at the Pan Terra Pump Station (see map - I'd never heard of it either).

Steep hills are perfect for goats
N 185th and Dayton Ave N

Weather permitting, Ed Portnow and Earth Craft Services goats will be at the pump station at N 185th and Dayton Ave N once a month on either the first or second Monday of the month.

Fortunately there is room for a few cars to pull off the street.

--Diane Hettrick


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End of 2023 Goat Season

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Photo by Kristine Tsujikawa
By Derek Creisler

September 9, 2023 was the final goat grazing session this summer at 'Midvale Gardens - the neighborhood name of the Seattle City Light parcel at the corner of N 192nd St and the Interurban Trail.

There was a good turnout to cheer on these magnificent beasts as they drifted back and forth across the property. 

High energy goats need a lot of food
Photo by Kristine Tsujikawa
No forest fire smoke this time (thankfully). 

There was a snafu when one of the goats decided to jump the fence during the morning round-up at their pasture. 

The herd disappointed a few families who stopped by to get an early look. No goats until noon. 

Sorry. Ed stayed late and the goats got their leaves worth so it all worked out in the end.

Goats are happy to be fed and are delicate about eating out of the hands of small children
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

For those who remember the condition of this site five years ago it almost doesn't feel like the same place today. We will work this fall and winter to get the City of Shoreline (in cooperation with Seattle City Light) to commit to keeping this property clear now that it has been opened up for neighborhood observation. 

Thanks to the volunteers - human and 4-legged - children and kids don't have concerns about drug use at this location. Photo by Steven H. Robinson

We do not want it to slip back into the invasive jungle that once existed. We are pleased to announce that this summer there was no evidence of needles or habitation.

The herd by Steven H. Robinson

For those wishing to show support for this volunteer project please consider donating funds to our Goat-fund-me Diggin Shoreline site at GoFundMe. Currently we are only set up to receive donations through PayPal however you can contact Midvalegardens@gmail.com if you'd like to donate cash or get more involved.


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Goats Galore! Visit the living lawnmowers in their last appearance this season on Saturday

Friday, September 8, 2023

Last appearance in Shoreline this Saturday

Goats Galore!

Come watch the final session of the season as the Earthcraft Services goatherd finish their fourth summer of clearing invasive brambles at 'Midvale Gardens'.

All eight of these living lawnmowers can be seen hard at work enjoying a late lunch this Saturday September 9, 2023 10am to 6pm. 

Visit them on your way to the Shoreline Farmers Market at the junction of N 192nd St and the Interurban Trail. (The Shoreline Farmers Market is just across Aurora at the 192nd Park n Ride lot)

Visit the online GoFundMe website and enter Goat-fund-me Diggin Shoreline. Or click here

This neighborhood improvement project is sponsored by 'Diggin' Shoreline' and all donations are tax deductible. Thanks for your support.


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Goats on Parade

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Despite the less than perfect air quality on Saturday, August 26, 2023 the Earthcraft Services goat herd enjoyed their chance to once again dine on a diet of weeds at 'Midvale Gardens' located at 192nd and the Interurban Trail in Shoreline.

If you missed this opportunity, there will be another chance.

The next 'goat day' is tentatively scheduled for the third Saturday in September.

Shoreline Police Officer Mainaga makes friends with the goats.

Ed Portnow (goat herd owner) explained the advantages of using goats to clear overgrown properties.

The herd is funded by donations through Diggin' Shoreline

Derek and Diggin' Shoreline set up a Goat Fund Me Diggin' Shoreline site to raise money from the public.

--Story and photos by Derek Creisler


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Goats on Parade! Saturday, August 26th 10am - 6pm

Thursday, August 24, 2023

Story and photo by Derek Creisler

The weed eating goatherd (Earthcraft Services) will return to 'Midvale Gardens' this Saturday, August 26, 2023 from 10am to 6pm. 

This event serves as an excellent demonstration for children (and adults) on the effectiveness of using goats to organically clear invasive overgrowth in an urban setting.

Located at the intersection of N 192nd St and the Interurban Trail (Shoreline) you'll find this site directly behind the big blue apartment complex currently under construction.

This public utility parcel (Seattle City Light) has been transformed over the last four years by these ravenous ruminants. This project has been made possible by the non-profit organization Diggin' Shoreline as well as public donations.

Support can be sent by visiting GoFundMe and looking for: Goat-fund-me Diggin Shoreline. For other donations please contact: Midvalegardens@gmail.com


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Visit the goats Saturday August 26, 2023 on the Interurban Trail

Sunday, August 20, 2023

Poster boy Filbert is happy to pose for the camera

By Diane Hettrick

Goat Day at Midvale Gardens on Saturday August 26, 2023, 10am to 6pm. 

Midvale Gardens is a piece of land adjacent to the Interurban Trail at 192nd and Midvale, behind Sky Nursery. The property belongs to Seattle City Light, which allowed it to go wild. 

A thick tangle of blackberry and ivy eight feet tall choked the trees on the site, looking impenetrable to all but the homeless and drug users who burrowed into it to make camps.

Neighbors, led by Derek Creisler, began a clean up project. Affiliating with Shoreline Parks - and through them City Light - they started to clear the site. 

Volunteers from the immediate neighborhood and the greater Echo Lake Neighborhood Association held work parties to remove piles and piles of vines. Parks staff came in and cleared the garbage and drug paraphernalia as well as hauling away the piles of vegetation. 

Midvale Gardens - before and after
Photos by Derek Creisler

Derek joined Diggin' Shoreline, a local organization dedicated to the creation of community gardens, which has 501(c)3 status, and enlisted their help and sponsorship. Clearing the site was still slow and laborious.

And then - someone (probably Derek) said "What about the goats?"

Ed Portnow owns Earthcraft Services and rents out a herd of hungry goats to clear overgrown sites like this. The City of Shoreline has used Ed's goats on several occasions, usually for clearing brambles on steep slopes, which, of course, are no obstacle to goats.

Derek says "Ed loves the project and the goats need to eat." 

In the beginning the City funded the cost through environmental mini-grants but that fund was never intended to support ongoing projects. Rather than ask for more from the city, Derek and Diggin' Shoreline set up a Goat Fund Me Diggin' Shoreline site to raise money from the public.

Derek points out that "in the end the money raised goes into hay fodder for the herd. So we've worked out a strong relationship. He brings the goats, and I raise the $. This year we're actively advertising the events"
 
So far this year, the project has received some strong donations, including local businesses Dunn Lumber, and West Highland Dental, and many individuals such as Larry Monger. Larry and his late wife Jeanne were among the first to step up to clear blackberry vines from the site.

The goats were able to work through the pandemic, so progress continued. 

The site has been literally transformed from a spooky urban jungle that appeared impenetrable (but wasn't if you were determined to setup camp hidden in the weeds).

The goats cost $500 a day and it usually takes six days a summer to keep the site clear. You can help by donating here.

The public is more than welcome to visit as the goats are at work. They are comfortable with people and dogs, but you might not be as attractive as a yummy mouthful of blackberry vines.

Midvale Gardens is directly across the street from the Aurora Park n' Ride where the Shoreline Farmers Market is held, also on Saturday.


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Bramble brunching goats at Midvale Gardens Saturday August 5, 2023

Friday, August 4, 2023

Filbert poses for the camera
Just in time for the Seafair celebrations, the Earthcraft Services fleet of bramble brunching goats are docking at 'Midvale Gardens' this Saturday. Stop by and cheer their patriotic fervor as they joyfully devour one invasive species after another. 10am to 6pm at the junction of the Interurban Trail and N 192nd St one block east of Aurora.
Before and After
Today we have 'on the ground at the scene' evidence of their astounding and astonishing ruminant abilities. The 'green' photo was taken in 2019. The 'brown' photo was taken at the end of goating season 2022.

Supporters of this chemical free landscaping demonstration can donate by going online to the GoFundMe website and entering Goat-fund-me Diggin Shoreline. Look for Filbert posing for the public. Or click here.

This community improvement project is sponsored by Diggin' Shoreline (making all financial assistance tax deductible).


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Last Saturday to visit the goats at N 192nd

Friday, September 30, 2022

Goat at Midvale Gardens on 192nd - Saturday is the last day for the season

Howdy Shoreline neighbors. 

We'd like to invite you to visit the Earthcraft Services goatherd this Saturday as they finish their season at Midvale Gardens. This Seattle City Light parcel is located along the Interurban Trail at N 192nd St Shoreline.

These magnificent animals have consumed the invasive jungle of blackberries and ivy that once covered this site. We're bringing them back so they can bulk up on fresh greens before the winter.

Kid friendly, dog tolerant.

To show your $upport for this environmentally benign non-profit activity please visit GoFundMe and enter: https://gofund.me/b81695d3

Or visit Google and enter: Goat-fund-me Diggin Shoreline

For more information please contact: Midvalegardens@gmail.com

--Derek Creisler



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Goats return to N 192nd this Saturday and Monday

Thursday, September 22, 2022

Photo by Derek Creisler
This Saturday and Monday, September 24 and 26, 2022, the Earthcraft Services goat herd will return to the Interurban Trail and N 192nd St to eat their fill of invasive brambles.

This is the third summer for these hard working, hungry beasts on this Seattle City Light parcel. Those in the neighborhood can attest to the success of their ravenous ways.

We would like to thank the City of Shoreline for their support during COVID. Their environmental mini-grants helped finance the first two summers for this project. This summer we're exploring GoFundMe. Check out our Goat-fund-me site: https://gofund.me/b81695d3

All donations go directly to Diggin' Shoreline and are tax deductible.

Hope you can stop by. Kids are welcome. Please keep your dogs on a leash.


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Goat Fund Me: Goats to return along the Interurban Trail

Sunday, July 31, 2022

Filbert at Midvale Gardens

Derek Creisler, from Diggin' Shoreline's Midvale Gardens project, announced that he has received permission from Seattle City Light to graze goats on the section of City Light land on the southeast corner of N 192nd and the Interurban Trail in the Echo Lake Neighborhood.

The goats are the property of Earthcraft Farms which rents them out to clear unwanted vegetation, particularly on difficult to access sites.

Derek has set up a GoatFundMe (ok it's a GoFundMe) site to raise funds to pay for the goat rental.

The goats have been at the site several times before and are very entertaining and very popular.




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Goat season ends this weekend at Midvale Gardens

Saturday, August 28, 2021

Photo by Derek Creisler at Midvale Gardens

It's Goodbye to Goat Season at Midvale Gardens!

This weekend the Earthcraft goat herd wraps up their second environmental grant at Midvale Gardens (N 192nd St. and the Interurban Trail). 

Our thanks go out to the City of Shoreline, Seattle City Light, and Diggin' Shoreline whose combined support has made this neighborhood improvement possible.

Stop by and watch their ruminant ways (four stomachs apiece) hour after hour turning invasive foliage into pellets of power!

--Derek Creisler



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For your entertainment: Goats return to Midvale Gardens this weekend

Saturday, August 21, 2021

The crew at work. Photo courtesy Earthcraft Farms.

This weekend (and next) the Earthcraft goat herd returns to Midvale Gardens (N 192nd St. and the Interurban Trail).

Meet Project Manager Filbert. Photo courtesy Earthcraft Farms.

Once again they'll be setting weed eating records as they devour their way to the finish line of their City of Shoreline environmental grant.

The crew at lunch. Photo courtesy Earthcraft Farms.

Farm friendly hours: 10am - 6pm rain or shine.



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GOAT Weed Eating continues this weekend at Midvale Gardens August 7-8

Saturday, August 7, 2021

Midvale Gardens soccer team gets distracted once again.
Photo by Derek Creisler

MIDVALE GARDENS. AUGUST 7-8
(192nd St and the Interurban Trail)

The Greatest of All Time weed eating continues this weekend between the eleven hungry goats of the Earthcraft Services goatherd. Come cheer them on while they transmogrify blackberry vines into fertile pellets of power. 

You might even catch them butting heads over some tasty green treats. But don't worry, goats are benign by nature and definitely kid friendly. And they aren't camera shy either!

PS: The herd will return to the Midvale Gardens site again in September to wrap up their work for the season. We'll announce the dates for these two weekends via Shoreline Area News

And now back to the cud chewing semi-finals...



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Goat Olympics at Midvale Gardens July 31st - August 1st

Friday, July 30, 2021

Hungry goats at Midvale Gardens this weekend

Just back from lunch and ready for more, 'Team Goatherd ' brings their hungry expertise to Midvale Gardens (N 192nd St and the Interurban Trail) Saturday and Sunday, July 31 - Aug 1, 2021. 

This is the second summer for this project and the subsequent reduction in invasive foliage now allows a vastly improved line of sight across the entire property.

Made possible by 'Diggin' Shoreline' and financed through an environmental grant (courtesy of the City of Shoreline) fans of the Interurban are invited to cheer on these robust ruminants. 

Eat those weeds! Eat those weeds!

PS: 'Team Goatherd ' will return next weekend - August 7/8. Two more weekends will be announced for September as soon as they have been scheduled.


 

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Goat alert: Goats return to Midvale Garden site this weekend

Saturday, July 10, 2021


This weekend (July 10-11, 2021) the amazing grazing goats return to the Midvale Gardens site at N 192nd and the Interurban Trail.

Their mission? To turn the invasive jungle into lunch.

Made possible through a City of Shoreline environmental grant, this entertaining activity is brought to our community by Diggin' Shoreline and Earthcraft Services.  



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Last day to watch the goats at the Midvale Garden worksite - Tuesday

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Goat at Midvale Garden
Photo by JM



Earthcraft Farms will have their goats at the Midvale Garden worksite, N 192nd and the Interurban Trail, on Tuesday, September 29, 2020. This is their last scheduled day.

The site is on property belonging to Seattle City Light, which will allow passive use of its property as long as no permanent structures are installed.

This goat prefers trees to blackberry and ivy
Photo by JM


Neighbors, led by Derek Creisler and David Chen, have been working with the City of Shoreline, City Light, Diggin' Shoreline and neighborhood volunteers to clear the site, which was covered with blackberries and undergrowth and had become a popular spot for homeless camps and drug use.

From working with the volunteer group Diggin Shoreline their efforts qualified them this spring for a Mini-Grant from the City of Shoreline Department of Environmental Services to bring in the goats.


Correction: goats were obtained with an Environmental mini-grant from the City of Shoreline



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Hungry goats are helping to clear the site of the Midvale Community Garden

Sunday, August 30, 2020

This area of the Midvale Community Garden was cleared by volunteers in multiple work parties. The Interurban Trail runs through the property. Photo by David Chen.


On a little strip of land, just one block north of Sky Nursery on the InterUrban Trail sits an unused parcel of land full of invasive plants and discarded trash.

But for several Echo Lake residents, the strip represents the opportunity to breath new life into an overlooked part of the neighborhood. 

Thus was born the vision for the Midvale Community Garden, a place where the community can gather, learn about urban permaculture, and find a place of spiritual renewal in an ever-expanding concrete world. 

12 hungry goats from Earthcraft Farms are now eating their way through the wild growth
Photo by Gidget Terpstra


Although COVID-19 has slowed the construction process, partnership with the City of Shoreline, Diggin Shoreline, and Earthcraft Services has brought twelve hungry goats to hold back the vegetation.

"Our hope is to break ground next Spring on building space that is inclusive, community-centered, and serves one of Shoreline's most diverse communities," said David Chen, one of the project's volunteers. 


The initial garden design includes educational features, garden plots, ADA accessibility, and a nature play area. The goats will be on site on September 19-20 and 26-27.

 
The Midvale Community Garden is on N 192nd in the Echo Lake Neighborhood. The Interurban Trail runs through the site, which is just north of Sky Nursery. Photo by David Chen.



If you would like to learn more about the project or volunteer, email midvalecommunitygarden@gmail.com




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East Wenatchee using goats to protect city from wildfires

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Filbert and friends take a short nap
Photo copyright Marc Weinberg

Now that wildfire season has begun, the city of East Wenatchee, just across the mountains, is using a very large herd of goats to eat and trample the dried grasses and vines that helped sustain and spread a wildfire by the town last year.

The city lost 28 houses when sparks from burning grasslands were picked up by the winds and spread to homes.

The Seattle Times has the story: Goats gobble wildfire fuel around Wenatchee, where dozens of homes burned in 2015.

Shoreline residents know how effective goats are. The city has been using Earthcraft Services goat herds for seven years, to clear steep slopes in Shoreline. (Shoreline's urban shepherd)

The wildfires in Shoreline and north Seattle have primarily been on the steep slopes next to the freeway. Often they threatened homes. One wildfire last year managed to burn both sides of the freeway.

Perhaps WSDOT would consider maintaining their property with a few goat herds.

--Diane Hettrick


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Shoreline's urban shepherd

Monday, July 1, 2019

A noon time rest for Filbert and buddies
copyright, Marc Weinberg


Text and photos by Marc Weinberg


Seven years ago the City of Shoreline revised its commitment to the vegetation management plan to make it eco-friendly, green and sustainable.

It was through that effort that they discovered an innovative approach. The City Manager and staff contracted with Earthcraft Services. Each year since, particularly during the heavy growing season, Ed Portnow brings his herd of 12 hungry and happy goats to five sites the City selects to clear brush. 

Goats make us smile
copyright, Marc Weinberg


Their favorite job is to work on blackberries and other invasive species. They show up for work led by Filbert and followed by his team of hungry chaps like Nutmeg, Floppy, Mancha and others, each with a personality well suited to their names.

Ed says his team loves the van he uses for transportation and considers it their home as he delivers them from their pasture in Bothell (which they share with some horses) to the five work sites in Shoreline and elsewhere. 

Kayla and Rowan stop for a visit with the herd
copyright, Marc Weinberg


According to Ed and the City, both children and adults have responded favorably to seeing the goats and having an opportunity to watch them up close. When adequate fencing isn’t already installed on site, Ed sets up a temporary fence to define the work area and keep his herd contained.

If you stop to visit be sure to speak with Ed before reaching though the fence since sometimes it is electrified.

Pruning the low hanging branches of your apple tree at no extra cost
copyright, Marc Weinberg
 

Eric Bratton, Communications Program Manager at the City, confirmed that the cost of clearing unwanted foliage by “goat power versus people” is about the same, but the community response is so supportive and after multiple visits to the same site the goats have the advantage of also fertilizing as they go. 

This eco-friendly approach allows local grasses and indigenous plants an opportunity to survive. Ed says some of his goats have an enzyme in their stomach that actually kills the blackberry seeds. 

Tips of grass are much sweeter along Dayton Ave by 185th
 copyright, Marc Weinberg


Watch for the herd as you travel around town and know that you are always welcome to visit. The life of the “Urban Shepherd” as with that of others around the world can be a lonely and solitary one. 

Ed has interesting stories to tell about life with his goats. If you have property to be cleared… contact Ed and you can have an up-close creative, eco-friendly experience right at home.




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Poem: Billy the Goat

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Earthcraft goats working at
Richmond Beach Saltwater Park


I'm Billy the Kid and I love to "GO GREEN"
I'll gladly devour what is on the scene
My dad and his friends will be part of the crew
He's WILLIAM THE GOAT did I need to tell you


We're glad to be stationed at such a great place
We'll be here six months so we're not in a race
The Bioswales are our target Vegetation our aim
You may see us grazing--"Nature's Gardeners"  our claim


The bottom of the parking lot  We may be in view
Please NO old tin cans -that we're asking of you
And one thing for certain NO SALT for the greens
It all is provided The SALTWATER theme


So thank you for using Our wonderful crew
There's No Butts about it We love to help you

Billy and William and a bunch of old goats


 Jean Monce Bryant
 Lake Forest Park, WA



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