Ironically, the idea for a story about a herd of goats originated not in rural Dauphin County but in Midtown Harrisburg.
Several residents had eyed a pick-up truck carrying goats in its bed. Naturally, curiosity led to a few questions, and it was discovered that the truck belonged to Brent Durborow, who had recently moved into the neighborhood.
It turned out that the goats belonged to the family business, Grazing Green Goats, run by Brent’s stepfather John Connelly. The herd is hired out to help property owners clear brush from their land. So, on a chilly morning, I drive out of the city into the open spaces that surround our capital; I am off to see a man about his goats.
Connelly’s Herd
As I pull into the Connelly’s farm, John is already at work. He greets me and then quickly ushers me over to the herd.
“We have about 20 goats, plus an additional dozen on another site,” says Connelly.
In addition to goats, which eat brush and woody overgrowth, Connelly also keeps sheep that eat grass.
The number and types of animals hired out depends on the needs of the property. After identifying the land that needs to be grazed, Connelly simply sets up a portable fence around the property and checks on the herd periodically until the job is done. Depending on the size of the property and the herd, the job usually takes between one and two weeks.
Connelly is marketing his herd as a green landscaping alternative. They help property owners by eliminating the need for herbicides while also removing invasive species. Plus, their droppings are very good for the soil. However, many times, Connelly’s goats are logistically the best option, green or otherwise.
“There are certain terrains that typical landscapers can’t tackle,” says Connelly. “My goats aren’t scared of steep slopes.”
As we chat, the animals make it clear that they aren’t shy. Goats approach me at the fence and nudge me, including an especially rotund female.
“She’s pregnant,” notes Connelly with a smile. “By the size of her, we suspect twins.”
As he pats the mother-to-be, named Tessie, I can’t help but notice the affection he has for his herd. After few more moments, he invites me inside to speak more.
Goat Appeal
We take a seat in the Connelly farmhouse with mugs of tea to stave off the chill. I’ve already been won over by the personality of Connelly’s goats, but I am interested in getting a sense of how customers react to having the herd on their property.
“Our herd is especially popular with families,” says Connelly. “The kids love playing with the goats. They get very sad when we bring the goats home.”
Durborow agrees. “People just love the goats. Kids will make up stories about them and their lives.”
Sometimes, Connelly takes unnamed goats to jobs with families so that children can name them. Children will often check in with the Connelly family to ask about the goats that they grew to love.
I was able to talk to Steve Bergstrom, a Lancaster County resident who works in medical sales, and a former client of the Connellys. Between the slope of his property and the amount of poison ivy present, Bergstrom was desperate to find a way to clear his land. The herd not only succeeded in doing its job, but won the hearts of the Bergstrom family—and the rest of their neighborhood—as well.
“We were the talk of the town,” says Bergstrom. “Everyone in the neighborhood was coming by to see the goats.”
The neighborhood continues to ask Bergstrom about the animals. Considering how well the goats did the first time around, Bergstrom plans on contracting the Connelly herd again.
Recovering from Tragedy
It is inevitable that people grow attached to these animals, and the Connellys are no exception. Unfortunately, tragedy struck the family this past October. While the herd was hired out to graze land near Conewago Creek, floodwaters suddenly rose. Brent and John rushed to rescue all that they could, but, by the time they arrived, they were too late for the majority of the herd.
“It was a big loss, it was terrible,” says Connelly.
In all, 23 goats were lost.
However, a few were rescued. Found buried in mud up to her head and forelegs, Tessie, the matriarch who greeted me at the fence, was pulled to safety.
“She actually got outside of the fence, which was lucky for her, since the fence was completely underwater,” says Durborow.
Adds Connelly, pointing to a picture of Tessie, “that was the joy right there.”
For Connelly and his family, Tessie’s pregnancy is especially uplifting.
The Growing Herd
It is a few weeks later when I check back in with Brent. He is at the state Farm Show promoting the business.
“Man, you need to come by again. The herd has grown!” says Durborow.
Tessie successfully gave birth to two kids, named Bonnie and Clyde. Another doe in the herd, Nina, gave birth to three kids as well, Holly, Nicholas and Noel.
While family members are still saddened by October’s tragedy, they are excited about the future. Like the herd, the business continues to grow. Come springtime, Connelly’s goats will once again be put to work clearing fields, one bite at a time.
For more information visit, www.grazinggreengoats.com.
