Why Madison is Using Goats to Clean Up Parks š
Next time youāre at Olin Turville Park, say hello to new park staffers Donna, Nancy, Emma, Janelle, Midnight and Dorito. Donāt be mad if they donāt talk back, though. Theyāre goats.Ā
These goats are on assignment cleaning up brush and invasive species in many Madison parks. They belong to Greg Haak and Brooke Hushagen of HaakHagen Goat Grazing, who set the herd up inside a portable electric fence and let them graze. Goats are natural browsers, and the idea is that theyāll naturally eat their way through the park, cleaning up unwanted vegetation and reducing the need for herbicides.Ā
Producer Molly Stentz tracked down the goat wranglers to learn how itās working.
Mentioned in the episode:Ā
š Want to volunteer as a goat checker?
š¢ The Dane County Fair is this weekend
Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. Weāre also on Twitter and Instagram!Ā
Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.Ā
Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Latest Episodes
WI Governor Race Updates & Assembly District 76 Forum Takeaways
There are still seven candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for the Wisconsin Governorās race. With the August 11 primary less t...
The Ultimate Madison Ice Cream Showdown
There are so many great local spots in town to get ice cream. From Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream to Babcock Dairy Store, Madison is rich wit...
Police Monitor Blames MPD for Manās Death, Plus Ridglan Farms To Close
Richard Lee Johnson died on Dec. 31, 2024, after being arrested the previous night. A new ā report ā by the Office of the Independent Polic...
Regent Street Redesign, Tourism Boom, and Juneteenth Events in Madison
After months of public input, Regent Street is getting a major redesign which will include wider sidewalks, fewer driving lanes, added pa...
Why Madison Needs The Center for Black Excellence and Culture
The new Center for Black Excellence and Culture has officially opened! City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin sits down with founder Rev. D...
'Your City Could Be Better': Why Every Region Needs A Park Map Tool Like Salt Lakeās ā Presented By City Cast Madison
Do you know how many parks Madison has? Residents of Salt Lake County have wondered about their parks for years ā that is, until City Cas...
City Anticipates Budget Cuts, Madisonās Election Trust Crisis, and Free Meals for Local Kids
This week, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway told city agencies to be prepared to cut 2% from their budgets amid inflation and higher fue...
Spicy Takes From Madisonās Chef of the Year. Plus, WTF Is Cookie Salad?!?
Chef Patrick OāHalloran has been cooking for Madison for decades, and his latest business, The Deliciouser, blends spices, classes, and g...
Hot Takes on Madisonās Queer Scene
Itās Pride Month! Gov. Tony Evers was the first Wisconsin governor to raise the pride flag over the State Capitol, and he did so again fo...
Honoring Michael Johnson, Public Art Woes, and Pop-Ups at Madison Public Market
We start todayās show remembering and mourning community leader Michael Johnson. Host Bianca Martin reflects with executive producer Hayl...