Grazing for God: Goats clear Carson City church lot

Goats provide a natural way to control weeds on a lot owned by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. (Photo: Steve Ranson/LVN)

By Steve Ranson Nevada News Group

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

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Fire mitigation and weed control have gone to the goats this summer.
Shari and Denton Wood’s High Desert Graziers are assisting Northern Nevada businesses in eradicating pesky weeds and cheatgrass. Even St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Carson City cleaned up its lot with the help of Wood’s goats.
“It’s a good way to remove the weeds,” said Pastor Chad Adamik.
The Woods, who live on the historic Hunnewell Ranch in Wellington, have been providing the targeted grazing service for the past four years.
“We take them around for fire mitigation,” Denton Wood said.
Among his clients have been NV Energy, Washoe County Parks and the Nevada Division of Forestry. He also said the goats will clear land for private businesses and homeowners.
During the past month, the High Desert Graziers were clearing land for Carson High School when Wood noticed the thick vegetation next door at the church.

Denton Wood, left, of High Desert Graziers explains his service to several members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. (Photo: Steve Ranson/LVN)

“We saw the heavy brush and grass,” Wood said, when speaking of the church’s back lot.
Because the church’s lot borders a major highway, Wood was afraid someone would throw a cigarette out the car window, which would then ignite the brush. Wood approached Adamik to offer his services.
“We’re blessed. Denny offered to clean up the small piece of land,” Adamik said, adding he told Wood the church hadn’t budgeted for the weed clearing. “He (Wood) said he would donate his services before his next job.”
For almost five days, approximately two dozen goats worked the land, gnawing down the weeds and grass. The goats also had plenty of water and shade. Wood said the heat didn’t appear to bother his four-legged work force.
Adamik, who grew up in Ohio, said he wasn’t used to seeing goats grazing. He said his father had owned some cattle. Adamik said he was grateful for the goats.
“They’re (the Woods) are actually providing a service like fire prevention,” Adamik said. “I’ve never encountered that before.”
Wood said he was a cattle producer, but he had to pay for the land for grazing. Instead, he said people now pay him for the grazing.
For the next three months, the Woods and their goats will be busy. During the winter months, Wood said they may take their service to California or stay at their Wellington Ranch.
For more information of the Woods’ business, contact Denton Wood at dennie@highdesertgraziers.com or call 775-291-6372.

Grazing for God: Goats clear Carson City church lot

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