Minimum # of feet goat pasture should be from big pond

[Green Acres Farm]

We just got most of our woods cleared and want to keep our goats and maybe our horse on some of it. However, there is a big pond by it and I was wondering how far the fence should be away from it as a minimum?

Thanks!

 

[Southern by choice]

No idea. I just would want the fencing or hotwire up so my animals didn't drink from it. I would put 2 geese out there.

 

[Ponker]

The local extension office is a great resource for those questions. Also, the conservation department can do a wildlife survey of your land and give you a plan (all voluntary) for erosion control, fire breaks, and other improvements. There is grant money available for even small farmers for cross-fencing, pasture improvement, and remote automatic watering systems. I know from first hand experience. There are quite a few hoops to jump through but it is worth it in the end. A 90% grant will pay half the cost of hiring it done or all the materials cost if the project is done in-house.

 

[Green Acres Farm]

We have had the extension office and others out for a plan. We're doing it for an ag exemption. I was just wondering about the pond.

 

[Southern by choice]

The local extension office is a great resource for those questions. Also, the conservation department can do a wildlife survey of your land and give you a plan (all voluntary) for erosion control, fire breaks, and other improvements. There is grant money available for even small farmers for cross-fencing, pasture improvement, and remote automatic watering systems. I know from first hand experience. There are quite a few hoops to jump through but it is worth it in the end. A 90% grant will pay half the cost of hiring it done or all the materials cost if the project is done in-house.

I am hesitant of these things. Next thing you know your area will be declared a wetlands and you have no rights. This happens more than people think.

 

[NH homesteader]

I'm sorry if this is a dumb question. Are you asking for the sake of the goats or the pond? Are you looking for a legal logistical answer? For the goats sake as long as they can't get to it, it shouldn't matter. As for the other I have no idea.

 

[Green Acres Farm]

I'm sorry if this is a dumb question. Are you asking for the sake of the goats or the pond? Are you looking for a legal logistical answer? For the goats sake as long as they can't get to it, it shouldn't matter. As for the other I have no idea.

Sake of the goats.

 

[Green Acres Farm]

I am hesitant of these things. Next thing you know your area will be declared a wetlands and you have no rights. This happens more than people think.

That wouldn't be good... And we got 60 inches of rain last year!

 

[Bruce]

Yep. In VT you can't touch a wetland. VERY picky about that.

Oh, unless you are a big developer (yes your mind should go to MORE TAX INCOME!) then you can stomp all over a wetland if you build another somewhere else. Except I don't think man can build a wetland as well as Mother Nature can.

 

[babsbag]

The USDA won't let you modify or use wetlands or stream beds if you are getting any funds from them. They call the stream bed on the land I am trying to buy "highly erodible land" and I can't have livestock or crops near it, nor can I fence it. Fortunately for me it is on the other side of the road and I had no intention of using it to begin with. If it was in the middle of the property it would be a deal breaker unless I wanted to give the goats an ove-crossing.

As far as the distance from the pond I would take into account the high water mark and fence a few feet about that.