Dozens of sheep are hard at work this spring at the Biocycle Farm, eating grass and weeds without creating ruts typically left behind by larger machinery.
The sheep, about 150 in all, graze between the Poplar trees at the nearly 600 acre farm. The area is usually wet and hard to mow early in the spring.
The Biocycle Farm is part of the Regional Water Pollution Control Facilities and uses recycled water and soil amendments (residuals) made as part of the treatment of wastewater. Poplar trees are grown on the farm for the air ability to utilize the nutrients in both the water and soil amendment. Grass grows under the trees and must be maintained. City staff work with local farmers to allow the sheep to come to the farm at no cost.
Additional benefits of the sheep grazing at the farm include reduced diesel consumption and herbicide usage. For more information about the Residuals Work program contact Randy Gray at (541) 682-8660. For information about the Environmental Management System contract Tanya Haeri-McCarrol at (541) 682-8613.