If you have driven through Clay recently, you may have noticed a quiet and wooly crew busily at work on the fenced hillsides around Clay. Since they have been introduced to the town by Clay County extension agent Michael Shamblin, these sheep have steadily eaten their way along the hillsides and riverbanks. Most drivers or walkers just pass them without so much as a by your leave or consideration of their work. Make no mistake, these grazers of the fields are our only line of defense against a plant that could turn this town into a third world country – the dreaded Kudzu, also known as the plant that ate the South. These sheep are in the trenches holding the plant at bay. Kudzu left unattended is a threat to the environment as well as our infrastructure.
A single kudzu vine can grow as much as 100 feet per season. It can climb power poles, cars, trees and bushes or most anything that gets in the way. This out-of-control overgrowth blocks the sun from the town’s natural plant life, causing it to die out which takes years to recover. Heavy vines can weaken foundations and bring down power lines. Kudzu, simply put, destroys the natural environment that we all enjoy, turning a once lush area into a dense blanket of vines and leaves.
Sheep are the best ecofriendly way to rid us of kudzu. Mr. Shamblin has periodically moved the fence that holds the sheep, allowing them to target the most difficult areas. Kudzu is very tasty to sheep and every bite they take helps destroy the plant over time, which doesn’t disrupt the environment around them like chemicals would.
So, the next time you see the crew working their 24/7 fence line shifts, give them a nod or a moment’s look. They are not there just for grazing; they are actively saving this town from looking like a jungle one bite at a time.
