San Francisco-Based Landscaper Adds Baby Goats to its Urban Herd

You might not expect to find a herd of goats feasting among rail cars and a cement recycling plant in the Bayview, but for City Grazing it's just another day on the ranch.

The San Francisco-based landscaping business rents out small herds of goats to clear overgrown yards and fields of unwanted brush and weeds. They position themselves as an eco-friendly alternative to herbicides and other chemicals. The goats are also quite adept at taking care of steep hillsides and other hard-to-reach spots.

"Goats are awesome at eating blackberries, ivy, Scotch broom, any kinds of weeds or vegetation, overgrown bamboo," says project manager Genevieve Church. "Whatever it is, goats are on top of it."

Last year, increased demand convinced the company it was time to grow the herd. They brought in a single buck to, ahem, take care of business

"He was a very happy animal for a few months," Church says with a smile.

In total, 28 female goats gave birth to 49 kids. There was one set of triplets, eight single births and the rest were twins, says Church. Counting the new kids, City Grazing now has nearly 100 goats.

"We've had moms and babies out on a few locations already," Church says. "Our busy season is just ramping up."