How goats are helping restore Iowa’s prairie and preserve the Loess Hills ecosystem

In a quiet suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa, at the top of a steep hill, the sidewalk ends, and the neighborhood seamlessly blends into wild prairie full of native grasses and vibrant wildflowers. Welcome to the Vincent Bluff State Preserve.

The only urban prairie preserve in the state, Vincent Bluff offers a rare glimpse into the diverse ecosystems of the Loess Hills—an extensive formation of wind-deposited silt, creating steep, rugged hills found primarily in western Iowa. Here, the rolling prairies, oak savannas, and eastern deciduous forests coexist, providing a sanctuary for various wildlife and a way for locals to reconnect with nature.

This summer, amidst the usual chorus of robins, cardinals, black-capped chickadees, and the occasional wild turkey, there is a new sound—the gentle bleating of goats. Mimicking the wild herds that once roamed here like bison and elk, albeit on a much smaller scale, these goats are at the forefront of a unique and eco-friendly method of invasive species control. This innovative approach is helping to preserve the delicate balance of the Vincent Bluff ecosystem, ensuring that this urban oasis continues to flourish.

Meet Goats On The Go® 

The goats at the Vincent Bluff State Preserve are part of the larger Goats On The Go® initiative, a targeted grazing service that deploys goats to manage unwanted vegetation in difficult-to-reach or environmentally sensitive areas. The organization partners with landowners and local authorities to implement this natural solution, reducing the need for chemical herbicides.

This initiative operates by strategically placing goats in areas overrun with invasive plant species. These agile and hardy animals can navigate steep and rugged terrain that would be challenging for human workers or machinery. Their natural grazing habits effectively control and reduce unwanted vegetation, allowing native plants to recover and thrive.

From the farm to the bluff

The goats' journey to Vincent Bluff State Preserve began with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Loess Hills Preservation Society. Through a brush removal program funded by the NRCS, the preserve secured the necessary resources to introduce goats as a natural way to solve their invasive species problem. Matt Vermeersch and Jenny Horner, local farmers affiliated with Goats On The Go®, have brought their herds to tackle the task.

On the menu: Invasive species

At Vincent Bluff, the goats primarily feast on honeysuckle and bittersweet, two pervasive invasive species. Each goat can consume up to 7% of its body weight in vegetation daily. With around 100 goats on-site—60 from Jenny’s herd and 40 from Matt’s—the area quickly benefits from this natural brush-clearing service. The goats typically clear an acre in about seven to ten days, depending on vegetation density.

The ecological impacts of goat grazing

Using goats for vegetation management has yielded noticeable ecological benefits. The goats' grazing patterns are particularly effective in controlling intrusive vegetation, allowing native plants to reclaim their territory. By eating these invasive plants, the goats create space for native species without the risks associated with controlled burns, which can be challenging in populated areas. Additionally, goats' droppings act as a natural fertilizer, enriching the soil with essential nutrients and enhancing soil structure and fertility.

Goat grazing also minimizes soil disturbance compared to mechanical methods, which can compact the soil and lead to erosion. The gentle treading of goats preserves the soil’s integrity, while their hooves help aerate it, improving water infiltration and root growth. 

Meet the goat wranglers: Matt and Jenny’s journey

Matt Vermeersch transitioned from a corporate job to farming after discovering his passion for animal husbandry. Initially, he and his family brought home a handful of goats to manage their acreage, but this small experiment quickly blossomed into a full-time endeavor. The satisfaction Matt found in caring for the animals and working the land led him to affiliate with Goats On The Go®, allowing him to turn his newfound passion into a sustainable business.

Jenny Horner’s journey into goat herding was inspired by her deep connections with the local Mexican community, who have a cultural appreciation for goat meat. Her initial interest in goats as a means to share agricultural experiences with her friends evolved into a professional pursuit. Jenny and her boyfriend Emilio partnered with Matt after recognizing the potential of Goats On The Go® to address environmental challenges while supporting local agricultural traditions.

Both Matt and Jenny also leverage their involvement with Practical Farmers of Iowa, a nonprofit that advocates for sustainable farming practices, to enhance their expertise and impact in the field. Their dedication to community engagement and regenerative agriculture has made them invaluable partners in these ventures and a dynamic team committed to innovative environmental solutions.

Deploying the herd: A strategic approach

Setting up goats in a new area requires strategic planning. Factors such as temperature, shade availability, and vegetation type dictate the deployment strategy. At Vincent Bluff, Matt and Jenny started their goats in cooler areas with ample shade, gradually moving them to sunnier spots as temperatures allowed. This careful management ensures the goats' well-being and maximizes their grazing efficiency

Overcoming challenges in the field

One of the biggest challenges faced by Matt and Jenny is ensuring a consistent water supply for the goats, especially in the hilly terrain of Vincent Bluff. Transporting water can be labor-intensive and time-consuming. To address this, they have implemented an efficient system of portable water tanks that can be easily relocated as the goats move through different sections of the preserve.

Additionally, biosecurity concerns necessitate keeping different herds separate to prevent disease transmission, complicating the logistics of large-scale grazing projects. An effective solution to this issue has been the use of portable electric fencing. These fences allow Matt and Jenny to quickly and securely enclose specific areas for grazing, ensuring that herds remain separate and safe.

Other grazing optimization efforts

In addition to the goat project at Vincent Bluff, Matt Vermeersch is also working with Highland cows at Hitchcock Nature Center. These robust animals are used to manage vegetation following controlled burns, promoting the regrowth of native plants, and maintaining the health of the prairie ecosystem. This method of using cattle to complement “good burns” is another example of how traditional livestock management practices can enhance modern conservation and restoration efforts.

Preserving the Loess Hills and the prairie

Both the Vincent Bluff State Preserve and Hitchcock Nature Center are integral parts of the larger Loess Hills ecosystem. The Loess Hills are a unique geological formation, characterized by steep, windblown silt deposits that create a rare prairie landscape and are home to a diverse array of plant and animal species.

The flora of the Loess Hills includes native prairie grasses such as big bluestem, little bluestem, and golden feather grass, along with wildflowers like yucca, pasque flower, and candle larkspur. These plants provide food and habitat for various wildlife. The area supports oak-hickory hardwood forests and some of the last remaining stands of prairie grass in the region. Notable fauna include white-tailed deer, coyotes, wild turkeys, ringneck pheasants, and red-tailed hawks. 

Projects like Goats On The Go® play a vital role in maintaining the health of this unique prairie ecosystem. By supporting the revitalization of native flora and fauna, these conservation strategies help ensure that the Loess Hills continue as a vital and vibrant natural resource.

A two-year endeavor with a vision for the future

The Goats On The Go®  project at Vincent Bluff is planned as a two-year endeavor with the option to extend into a third year. The success of this multi-year effort is measured by the reduction of target invasive species and the revival of native vegetation. “It's a continuous process, and each year builds upon the previous one to create a lasting impact,” notes Matt.

A model for sustainable land management

Goat grazing at the Vincent Bluff State Preserve is more than just a vegetation management strategy; it promotes a healthier, more resilient prairie ecosystem. By reducing the need for chemical treatments and heavy machinery, goats help lower the carbon footprint of land management efforts.

The success of initiatives like Goats On The Go® exemplifies how innovative and community-driven solutions can address environmental issues. By harnessing the natural behaviors of goats, this project not only manages invasive species but also fosters biodiversity.

Looking ahead, the efforts at Vincent Bluffs remind us that the answers to our most pressing ecological challenges often lie in the blend of traditional practices and modern innovation. Through community-driven initiatives and respecting the natural rhythms of the environment, we can ensure that places like the Iowa prairie continue to flourish for generations to come.

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