Amherst farmer wants Christmas trees for her goats

AMHERST, Mass. (AP) - Residents of the Amherst area have a new option this year to get rid of their Christmas trees -- give them to goats.

Hope Crolius owns a business that offers her seven goats to eat cleared brush.

Now she's inviting residents to drop off their Christmas trees to Simple Gifts Farm on North Pleasant Street to feed the animals.

Crolius tells The Daily Hampshire Gazette the goats enjoy pine, balsam fir, hemlock, spruce and other evergreens, which contain vitamin C and other nutrients that help them get through the winter. The needles on the trees can act as dewormers.

She says it's also a way to keep the trees out of a landfill.

Of course, residents can still bring their discarded Christmas trees to the transfer station at no charge.

For more information visit Hope's website at www.thegoatgirls.com