Spring has truly arrived at Taos Land Trust and with it our small but mighty herd of goats. For now, they’re grazing contentedly in their starter paddock, adjusting to their new surroundings, and learning the rhythms of Rio Fernando Park.
Here’s the latest goat gossip:
Their current paddock is just temporary. The Taos High School construction class is building a comfy shed made from repurposed materials for them, and once it’s finished, we’ll put up permanent fences around their new space.
Grazing plans: Over the next few months, as the grasses and forbs fill in, our goats will start rotating through smaller mobile paddocks that roll around the property. This system keeps them on fresh forage and helps us improve soil health and reduce weeds naturally.
Community grazing: Eventually, we’ll open our grazing program to the community. When the systems are ready, we’ll share how you can bring the herd to your land. Until then, check out Chamisa Goatworks and Pallet Farms if you’d like help with regenerative grazing this spring.
Weekend care: We’re lucky to have an awesome crew of volunteers keeping the goats happy on weekends. Our team of trained animal technicians step in on holidays and longer breaks.
And what about the turkeys? They’re just running a little late. A hatchery hiccup means we’ll be welcoming them in April instead. We’ll introduce them when they land.
And for those of you who like to be on a first-name basis with your neighbors: the kids are Frida, Nero, and Coconut; Sweetie is their mom; Cookie is another doe; and Trifle and Oliver are the two wethers.
Our entire animal-care program is thanks to support from the LOR Foundation.
Why goats? Check out this student-made sign
Our natural resources interns, Jewelysa Cortez and Gabriella Medina, created a beautiful educational sign now posted at Rio Fernando Park that walks visitors through the benefits of goat grazing and how to keep the animals safe and healthy.
The sign explains how goats help with natural fertilizer, weed control, soil health, and reducing fire danger, and it highlights their unique “super-stomach” that lets them turn brush into energy while reminding visitors not to feed them human food or treats. It’s a great example of how youth, education, and land stewardship come together at Taos Land Trust.
We hope you’ll stop by Rio Fernando Park this spring to meet the goats, read the sign, and see this regenerative farming experiment in action.
Stay tuned for more updates as the herd (and our spring projects) grow!
Thank You for Your Support
You can help care for the goats, restore the land, and support youth programs at Rio Fernando Park with a gift to Taos Land Trust. Donations of any size go directly into hands-on work: buying feed and supplies for the herd, improving soil and habitat, and creating more opportunities for students and community members to learn on the land. If you’re able, please consider making a one-time or monthly contribution through our website, or by mailing a check to Taos Land Trust. Every dollar stays rooted right here in Taos and helps our land and community thrive.
