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 Goats - Organic Weed Eaters! - D. Beard Compost Pile Spontaneously Combusts - D. Beard Goats - Organic Weed Eaters! - D. Beard  The
Albuquerque Middle Rio Grand Conservancy District is investigating a new
method of weed control, or should we say, a new "back to the future" method
of weed control. The governing agency that oversees 1,234 miles of canals,
drains and ditches, as well as 20,00 acres of Bosque Reserve land is considering
purchasing between 500 to 1000 New Zealand Kiko meat goats trained to eat
introduced broadleaf weeds. As broadleaf weeds disappear, native grasses
will flourish (nourished by goat waste) which in turn will prevent erosion.
Subhas Shah, the conservation district's chief engineer and chief executive officer, and biologist Sterling Grogan are refining the idea of using goats by coordinating their efforts with Denver where a similar program already exists. According to Gayle Weinstein, Denver's naturalist, two things are needed, a goat herder who understands city issues and a city that supports wildlife. Mr. Grogan plans to use solar powered fences and guard dogs to keep the herd in check. His biggest concern is changing the public's perception of livestock grazing with land damage. Mr. Grogan believes that land damage is the result of poor livestock management not livestock. Mr. Grogan is encouraged by unsolicited, anonymous phone calls stating, "this is the most intelligent thing they've heard of a government agency doing in a long time." Information gleaned from "No kidding: Goats touted as organic weed eaters", written by Zelie Pollon, a Santa Fe, NM free-lance writer as printed in the Dallas Morning News. Compost Pile Spontaneously Combusts - D. Beard "Spontaneous combustion ignited the compost, which ignited the surrounding area," said Pantego Fire Captain Tom Griffith about a fire that caused between $70,00 and $80,00 in damages to a house fire last December.* Compost piles generate heat, but most do not generate enough heat to combust. So, why did this particular compost pile ignite? According to a Pantego Fire Department representative, the fire was due to dry weather conditions and a compost pile that had been placed between a wooden fence and a wood carport attached to a house with wood shingles. The heap had been there some time and when it ignited, the flames quickly spread due to the pile's proximity to the fence and the carport. The fire representative had no specific information as to why the pile combusted, but recommended all compost piles be placed in open areas away from wooden structures in an effort to prevent similar episodes. We can only speculate as to the factors that may have led to combustion: the type of compost pile, the composition of the pile, or whether the homeowners actively monitored the pile. However, the combustion of this backyard compost pile raises the question of civic responsibility. Due to the diligence of the Pantego Fire Department, the fire did not spread to the surrounding lots. Imagine if it had. Backyard composting is extremely beneficial. Trash is reduced, water is conserved, and the need for fertilizers and pesticides is eliminated. However, it is necessary for the urban backyard composter, as evidenced by the compost fire, to compost in a safe manner. To teach backyard-composting techniques, many cities have organized Master Composter Programs. These classes cover, among other things: items that can and can't be composted, tending the pile, trouble shooting the pile, carbon: nitrogen ratios, and various composting methods. The City of Arlington has a Master Composter Program. It is a two-day program that is free to Arlington citizens. The city's only requirement is that program graduates provide 20 volunteer hours educating the public on the "how" and "why" of composting. All interested persons should contact the City of Arlington Recycling Department at 459-6777. ** *Quote from "Compost pile gets blame in fire that damaged house," December Arlington Star Telegram. **Master Composter Publicity Flyer |