“Put away the power tools and herbicide, and hire herbivores,” says RVA Goats & Honey owner Kristi Orcutt. The Chesterfield-based farmer has been using a herd of about 75 goats to clear weeds, brush, and fast-growing invasive species like kudzu from public lands, businesses, schools, and yards since 2015.
“It’s an effective, cost efficient, all natural and sustainable method to manage overgrown vegetation and restore landscapes,” says Orcutt. Her caprine team has a voracious appetite and can strip a large area of unwanted plants in just two weeks. Past high-profile clients include the University of Richmond, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, and James River Park System, in addition to more low-profile homeowners who hire the herd to eradicate stands of English ivy, among other noxious pests. RVaGoatsAndHoney.com
This article originally appeared in the Best of Virginia 2024 issue.
