(June 23, 2026)
Michael Choi operates a goat grazing business based in Mariposa, California, for clearing brush for fire prevention, conservation, and a non-toxic way of weed killing. He uses about 200-500 goats per site, with portable electric fences. He uses guard dogs and herding dogs to manage the goats, with a shepherd on site 24/7. For wildfire safety, they typically clear 200 feet from vulnerable structures.
He showed many photos of his “workforce”, the goats at work and the dogs keeping them in their assigned work area. Goats are useful for this because they eat a wide variety of vegetation down to the ground, and they can climb hills and even onto low tree branches. A drinking water tub is made available on site. People love the goats when they see them, especially children who have probably never seen goats before.
He showed numerous examples of the contrast between before and after clearing brush. The goats are very effective at clearing flammable brush, compared to the dangers of using preventive burning or toxic pesticides. They can also clear invasive species to promote conservation of native species such as the Palos Verdes Blue butterfly and Rattlepod (a flowering shrub).
Contact information for Michael Choi is 4107 Triangle Rd, Mariposa, CA 95338; phone 310-465-9727; website vishnu@goatsrock.com. (Thanks to Marilyn Ginsberg for bringing us this interesting speaker.)