Grazing, Not Spraying: How Vrooman Ranch Uses Sheep & Goats for Regenerative Brush Management

At Vrooman Ranch, we believe that land management should work with nature, not against it. As part of our commitment to regenerative agriculture, we’ve embraced a time-tested, eco-friendly approach to managing weeds and brush: targeted grazing with our flock of sheep and goats.

No herbicides. No machines. Just animals doing what they do best — eating.

Why Sheep and Goats?

Sheep and goats are more than just livestock here — they’re partners in land stewardship. Each species brings its own unique benefits to the ecosystem:
        •       Goats are natural browsers. They love woody plants, vines, and tough shrubs — the kind that dominate overgrown pastures and fire-prone areas.
        •       Sheep are grazers. They prefer grasses and broadleaf plants, helping keep invasive species in check and maintaining healthy, balanced forage.

By rotating these animals strategically across the ranch, we create a natural, low-impact way to:
        •       Suppress unwanted brush and invasive weeds
        •       Reduce wildfire fuel loads
        •       Improve soil health through natural fertilization and hoof action
        •       Encourage native plant regeneration by giving them room and light to grow

No Chemicals, No Compromise

One of the cornerstones of regenerative ranching is eliminating synthetic inputs — including herbicides. Not only can chemical weed control damage soil biology and water quality, but it also works against the very biodiversity we’re trying to support.

Instead, our animals provide a living solution. Their grazing is selective, seasonal, and constantly moving — mimicking how wild herds used to shape the landscape. The result is a more dynamic, diverse, and resilient ecosystem.

Benefits Beyond the Brush

This method of brush management offers more than land improvement:
        •       Healthier animals, with a varied and nutritious diet
        •       Less reliance on fuel-powered equipment, reducing emissions
        •       Educational opportunities for visitors to witness regenerative practices in action
        •       Stronger soil structure and moisture retention, helping the land weather droughts

It’s one more way we’re creating a closed-loop system, where every element on the ranch supports the whole.

Land That Heals Itself

Regeneration means working with the rhythms of the natural world — and sometimes, the best weed control doesn’t come in a bottle, but on four legs.

At Vrooman Ranch, our sheep and goats are helping us restore balance to the land, one bite at a time.