Ever-tightening budgets let us flex our creative muscles. City manager Tim Riordan’s presentation of the 2010 budget shows us just how creative we’ll have to be. He mentions that Dayton will need to depend on its citizens to do some things for which the city has been responsible in the past. While that may sound frustrating to most, it returned this former farm boy’s creative muscles back to their roots for inspiration. I see dairy goats in Huffman’s future.
It’s not as crazy as it first seems. We know the city has trouble maintaining vacant property. It shouldn’t have to maintain property it doesn’t own anyway, but that’s a different rant. City mowers are too big to maneuver within our small, fenced residential lots, and there are just too many neglected properties to address – especially in the spring when the grass is out of control. However, goats are both nimble and hungry, and I’d like to think our wrought iron could keep a herd from wandering about too much.
Aside from being great lawn mowers (and fertilizerers), dairy goats can be profitable, too. I could imagine a line of quality cheeses for sale in Oregon District and Webster Station boutiques. Nearby restaurants and grocers may also have a need for local dairy products. I can imagine both the New York Pizzaria and Taqueria Mixteca offering Huffman goat products. Though thorough inspection of the taqueria’s menu leads me to believe they may be less interested in dairy than the goat itself!
Sure, there are a problems with the concept. City ordinances probably don’t allow for livestock. I don’t know because I haven’t yet checked. I also don’t know how to herd goats. But, is a stray goat any more of a problem than a stray dog or cat? Again, I don’t know. In assessing the viability of Huffman goats with what little I do know, I’m optimistic. Besides, wouldn’t it be fun to figure out?
UPDATE:
This just had to be included. There is a precedent… sort of.
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6 Responses to “Goats. Really?”
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December 19th, 2009 at 5:37 PM
As one former farm boy to another, I have to say that this idea will never fly in Dayton. For one thing, it makes too much sense. For another, it would be too much fun and far too entertaining. Everyone would be sitting around staring at the goats and forgetting to go to work. Next thing you know, we’d be giving them names like Billy Goat Gruff and Big Shirley.
By the way, as you know, but forgot to mention, goats eat lots of things other than grass. How about we put glasses and cans in our usual blue buckets and toss most of our food-type garbage in the unkempt yards? Saves money spent on garbage pickup and reduces landfill waste.
December 20th, 2009 at 12:21 AM
But then we wouldn’t get our cheese.
December 21st, 2009 at 4:43 PM
I’ve always wanted a goat! Seriously…
December 22nd, 2009 at 8:11 AM
John, it took me a while to understand your comment about other food waste. Not only would it keep the goats better fed, but it could also feed other livestock… hogs anyone? Maybe not.
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:54 PM
Oh my god–we had 3 Nubian goats (the same handsome goat that you feature in your photo, there) when I was growing up! My sister had them for her 4H animals and we did sell the goat milk to someone who wanted it. They are fun, friendly animals, although they frequently give voice to a hearty “Mmmmmaaaaahhhh!!” I think marketing urban farm goat cheese is an idea whose time has come!
December 23rd, 2009 at 10:54 PM
My niece had a goat for a 4H project this past year for the first time. Do you think they could be heard over the regular urban din? They can’t be any louder than barking dogs, could they?