Sonoma County community uses sheep to reduce wildfire risk

flock of sheep in tranquil autumn landscape

With California’s fire season just around the corner, cutting down the tall dry grass is going to be a priority over the next few weeks. In the North Bay, tractors have been commonly used, but now grazing is gaining popularity. While many contract out grazing services, one woman has been trying to encourage homeowners to take matters into their own hands. Welcome to the Hunters Lane community grazing cooperative. A flock of a dozen sheep chows down on grass and goes from one home to another. While grazing has been around for a long time, Sarah Keiser took this to a whole new level after the 2017 wildfires.

“I just walked around the neighborhood, knocked on doors and said, ‘Hey, do you want the sheep?’ ” Keiser said. “Essentially, the vision came from what was a burden to them was a resource to me. Through sharing the flock, we both benefited from it.” Now, there are about 12 community grazing cooperatives in Sonoma County. Bo Laurent reached out to Keiser, hoping to get a few sheep to graze her property in 2020. She didn’t know she was about to be talked into becoming a part of the community grazing cooperative. “I don’t want to be tied down all the time,” Laurent said. “I’m getting older, and I like to travel. I have to go out places and I just don’t want to have those constant tasks I have to take care of. She said no, no, you’re going to share them with your neighbors. It’s going to grow. I’m going to come over and tell you all about it.”

Source: Sonoma County community uses sheep to reduce wildfire risk – CBS San Francisco

Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.
1 Corinthians 10:24

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