Making Money With Goats: How Targeted Grazing Can Turn Your Herd Into a Side Hustle
If you’ve ever watched your goats absolutely destroy poison ivy, blackberry brambles, or weeds you’ve been battling for years with zero success… congratulations. You’re already sitting on a money-making opportunity.
Welcome to targeted grazing — where goat chaos meets actual income.
Goats are equal parts joy and destruction, and when that destruction is aimed at invasive plants? People will happily pay for it.
Let’s talk about how everyday goat owners are turning their herds into hardworking weed-control crews.
What Is Targeted Grazing (a.k.a. Goats With a Job)?
Targeted grazing is the intentional use of goats to control unwanted vegetation in a natural, eco-friendly way.
Your goats happily snack on things like:
- Poison ivy
- Kudzu (the vine that refuses to die)
- Briars, thistles, and brush
- Overgrown lots and fence lines
- Invasive plants landowners are desperate to remove
Instead of chemicals, tractors, or backbreaking labor, landowners hire goats. Specifically… your goats.
Who Pays for Goat Grazing?
You might think this is a niche thing — it’s not.
People who regularly hire targeted grazing include:
- Homeowners with overgrown or unsafe yards
- Farmers and ranchers
- Vineyards and orchards
- Businesses with hard-to-maintain land
- Municipalities, parks, and HOAs
Anywhere weeds thrive and mowing or spraying is a pain, goats suddenly become very appealing.
What You Need to Get Started (Spoiler: Less Than You Think)
You don’t need hundreds of goats or a Pinterest-perfect setup.
The basics:
- A small herd (even 5–20 goats can handle jobs)
- Portable electric net fencing
- A way to transport goats (trailer or stock rack)
- Liability insurance (non-negotiable)
- A simple grazing contract
That’s it. No milk stand. No kidding schedule. Just goats doing what goats do best.
Partnering With the Pros: Becoming an Affiliate With Goats On The Go
If starting a targeted grazing business from scratch feels intimidating, there’s another option I highly suggest: partnering with Goats On The Go.
Goats On The Go is a nationwide targeted grazing company that works with independent goat owners through an affiliate-style model. You bring the goats and the labor — they provide systems, structure, and brand recognition.
Why This Can Be a Smart Move
Affiliating with Goats On The Go can offer:
- A recognizable, trusted brand
- Proven grazing and pricing systems
- Marketing support and credibility
- Training and ongoing guidance
- A business model that’s already working
Instead of reinventing the wheel, you’re plugging into one that’s been rolling for years.
What Affiliates Typically Need
Requirements vary by region, but most affiliates need:
- A healthy, manageable goat herd
- Portable electric fencing
- Reliable transportation
- Willingness to follow established systems
- A strong work ethic (because goats do not care about weekends)
This is still hands-on work — but it comes with a roadmap.
Is an Affiliate Model Right for You?
This path is ideal if you:
- Love goats but hate marketing
- Want faster credibility with landowners
- Prefer structure over trial-and-error
- Like support while you grow
If you’re fiercely independent and love building everything yourself, going solo may suit you better. There’s no wrong choice — just the one that fits your life.
The Not-So-Instagram Side of Targeted Grazing
Let’s be honest — targeted grazing is not passive income.
You’ll deal with:
- Moving electric fencing (often daily)
- Answering the same goat questions on repeat
- Escape attempts (because goats)
- Weather drama
- Well-meaning neighbors trying to feed your goats treats they absolutely should not have
If you already own goats, none of this will shock you.
Crazy Goat Lady Tip
If you think your fence is strong enough, make it stronger.
Targeted grazing goats are highly motivated employees with escape fantasies.
Good electric netting will save your sanity.
Disclosure
I am an affiliate with Goats On The Go (not like an Amazon affiliate, but an actual goat grazier with a GOTG territory), and it’s a program I highly recommend for goat owners interested in targeted grazing. If you reach out to them through my referral, I may earn a commission — at no additional cost to you.
I only recommend Goats On The Go because I genuinely believe it’s a solid, proven option for people who want a supported path into grazing work with goats.
If you contact Goats On The Go, please mention me by name (The Crazy Goat Lady)— it helps support my work here and allows me to keep creating free goat resources for you.
Transparency matters, and goats are expensive.
Is Targeted Grazing Right for You?
Targeted grazing is a great fit if you:
- Already have goats (or plan to)
- Enjoy outdoor, physical work
- Don’t mind educating the public
- Want seasonal, flexible income
- Believe goats deserve jobs
It may not be your thing if fences, people, or unpredictability make you twitch.
Final Thoughts
Targeted grazing isn’t just about making money — it’s about letting goats be goats with purpose.
Whether you build your own grazing business or partner with Goats On The Go, the opportunity is real and growing.
Goat ownership isn’t about perfection — it’s about stories. And targeted grazing? It will give you plenty.
Ready to start?
Grab my FREE Beginner Goat Owner Checklist and start building a goat life that helps pay the bills.
Welcome to the herd — may your fences be strong and your goats stay in them.
