Maa-ry Christmas! London goats feast on festive firs

After pioneering the project last year, the farm has widened its drive to 650 trees

Published: January 08, 2022 18:51 AFP

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London: A herd of goats grazing on a London city farm are getting their teeth into hundreds of unwanted Christmas trees donated by residents in a fundraising drive. The eight goats can't get enough of the discarded firs, which the Kentish Town City Farm is collecting from outside homes in the area. Image Credit: AFP

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Trustee Angela Woods said the project started last year "when one of our staff who's got a real soft spot for the goats saw a video of goats eating Christmas trees and thought, 'Ooh, I might try that'". Image Credit: AFP

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The pine needles aren't just a tasty treat but also a "natural de-wormer", she explained, as the goats, including the herd's four-year-old leader Rockie, nibbled on a festive spruce. They eat everything except the trunk, leaving it looking "like it's been in a nuclear blast", Woods said. Image Credit: AFP

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After pioneering the project last year, the farm has widened its drive to 650 trees - the juiciest of which go the goats. The remainder will be turned into woodchips for a nearby park. The trees are collected by a local van company offering vehicles for free. Image Credit: AFP

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Locals have booked collection slots for #10 ($13.50, 12 euros), while for #15 they also receive a "goat note" of thanks. The drive is set to raise at least #8,500. Some children attach a note back to the goats on their trees, Woods said. Image Credit: AFP

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For city dwellers without gardens or fireplaces, disposing of Christmas trees, which are traditionally taken down on January 6, is a perennial headache. The project is a "perfect solution and it's great for the goats, great for the farm," Woods said. Image Credit: AFP

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The city farm - typically community run spaces designed to give urban dwellers a taste of the land - is the oldest in the country, turning 50 this year. Image Credit: AFP

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When the farm suffered financial problems two years ago, an anonymous Russian donor stepped in and "gave us #100,000" and it is now "financially stable", Woods said. Image Credit: AFP

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