Winnipeg farm looking for leftover Christmas trees to feed hungry herd

Goats helping dispose of Christmas trees Goats at Aurora Farms are helping dispose of natural Christmas trees from this season.

One man’s trash could be a goat’s treasure.

Now that the holidays are over, many people are left wondering what to do with their Christmas trees. While the City of Winnipeg has several drop-off locations, a local farm is asking for donations to feed their hungry herd.

“It’s become a bit of a tradition for families to bring their Christmas trees,” said Aynsleigh Kerchak, the general manager of Aurora Farm.

Kerchak said the farm has been collecting trees after the holidays for the last few years.

“Goats naturally love to eat trees,” she said. “We just suddenly realize that people have trees that they want to get rid of in a sustainable way, so this is a great way to get rid of them.”

Kerchak said the trees have nutritional benefits for the animals.

“In the middle of winter, when they don't have too many fresh green things, they love the taste of the needles,” she said. “It's also a natural dewormer for them, so it's a boost to their health.”

The goats chow on the trees down to the bark and use the trunk as a scratching post. Afterwards, the trees are wood chipped and put into the farm’s gardens in the spring.

“They love it. It doesn’t take them long at all,” said Kerchak.

Those interested in dropping off their trees can do so between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Aurora Farm. People are asked to remove all of the ornaments and take the tree out of its garbage bag before adding it to the pile.

“Drop them off whenever you want,” Kerchak advised. “(The goats) prefer the fresh ones, so they probably won’t eat them, but we’ll still use them.”