By: Melissa Toupin
mtoupin@abc6.com
As we get ready to ring in the New Year people are starting
to get rid of their Christmas trees. One Middletown
farm is taking those trees out to pasture.
For years Simmons Farm has welcomed visitors to their petting
zoo. Now they've added a new attraction. Well, sort of.
"It started a few years back when we gave them our own
Christmas tree," said Karla Simmons.
The family farm's 50 goats have taken a liking to the pine
needles, chomping and chewing on the branches.
"The pushier ones will get first. And then the wimpier
ones will have what's left," said Simmons.
The tradition grows with each passing Christmas. Neighbors
have begun to drop off their used trees for the goats to munch on; A good
alternative to throwing them away.
The goats don't leave anything to waste. Once the pine
needles are gone they start on the bark. After about 2 days the tree is peeled
clean.
But it's not just the goats that enjoy the holiday treat. The
lambs and cows also flock to the trees put out in the pasture.
The Simmons' say the timing couldn't be better. The animals
have already eaten everything else in the pasture.
"They've eaten all the leaves off the trees that they
could reach. They've eaten all the grass, so there's not a whole lot green left
for them," said Simmons.
The goats enjoy every last bite knowing this delicacy only
comes around once a year.
