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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic comment Staudenmayer 8.5.2025 and 8.26.2025 TO: Yarmouth Conservation Commission From: Mary Ann Staudenmayer, 134 Water Street, Yarmouth Port RE: Good Hope Farm Plan for 88-100 Mill Lane, Yarmouth Port Date: August 25, 2025 Thank you for volunteering to help keep Yarmouth safe and clean for its citizens. It is unfortunate the 88&100 Mill Lane Property Proposal has become contentious and time consuming. However, introducing a commercial enterprise, located on coastal waters and marsh, into a residential community deserves thorough, thoughtful consideration. A few clarifications may help. A Farmer's Guide to Regenerative Agriculture defines a single goat's waste as "the goat's manure plus its wasted food and hay." For composting these components are stacked together. The waste from an average goat "can exceed 2200 lbs annually." Since the Nigerian goat is a smaller variety, assume its annual waste to be 1100 lbs. 40 goats could generate (40x1100) 44,0001bs of waste per year. This means more than 22 tons (44,000/2000) of animal waste could be deposited on land at 88&100 Mill Lane annually. Distribution of the 22 tons of organic waste could occur in various ways. Some could be composted; some could be applied to vegetation to enhance growth and some could contaminate ground water. Successful composting requires a bin no larger than 4'x4'x6' (less than 100 cubic feet) with frequent turning and all excess manure removed according to local ordinance. Plants can take up only as much nitrogen from the waste that they need for growth. Excess nitrogen waste could contaminate ground water and contribute to the pollution of surrounding waterways and marshland ( note the explosive growth of the Phragmites in the Short Wharf area). Furthermore, the unpredictable factors of climate, weather and human activity could affect the rate of decomposition, plant transport and water absorption of contaminants. Because the annual deposit of 22 tons or more of goat waste will have indeterminable consequences for the land, surrounding waterways and adjoining marsh, it would be imprudent for the Commission to accept the the Good Hope Farm Plan for 88&100Mill Lane Yarmouth Port Massachusetts. ACAPEMY a A FARMER'S GUIDE by TO REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE Boost Yields & Resilience REGISTER NOW e!L E�� a tnut ta,u ur L•x k niaU+�&T'i� h'a oa y • `ar Ate"*-e Do not underestimate the quantity of wastes that a single goat can produce. It is estimated that a single goat's manure plus its wasted food and hay can exceed 2200 lbs. (1000 kg) per year. Consequently, having in advance a solid and legitimate waste management policy will keep you secured against environmental (e.g. water pollution) and health problems or violations of local laws. You can enrich this article by leaving a comment or photo of your goat waste management techniques. 1.) How to raise Goats 2.) Housing Goats - Building the Goat Farm 3.) How to select Goats for milk or meat 4.) How to feed Goats https://wikifarmer.com/library/en/article/goat-manure-production-and-waste-management 8/8/25,4:22 PM Page 4 of 7 }, r i re4...A, ri a c 4.— r s _ " tic,. . t.. 4 f` ✓ Y td i i • = i tf ,1 #4 'If'.'-r'l ) • Prepare the basic materials for composting. Auxiliaries, such as sa and straw, can be added to goat manure. • Maize flour gives glucose to microorganisms and fermented cultu and rice husk controls moisture, air permeability, and C/N ratio an 51 IOUIU 1Je CVCt Hy Lot I lull ieu. • Second, goat manure and auxiliary materials such as sawdust anc can be stacked together. They can be stacked in long beds or put fermenting grooves. • Windrow compost piles are typically at the height of 0.8 to 1.5 m, 1 m in breadth, and 2 m or more in length. Lastly, until the fermentation is complete, turn the compost pile continuously. It is adequate to do it 2-4 times each day for the first and once every two days for the subsequent weeks. Once composted, goat manure compost is safe and valuable. Manure tea can be made from it or added to other scraps in the compost bin. Composting is t natural decaying of organic matter into a dark, loose, soil-like substance that c used to enrich gardens. Further, it is a natural recycling process that occurs continuously in nature, thus reducing household waste significantly. IUsing goat manure for fertilizer https://www.agrifarming.in/how-to-make-goat-manure-compost-a-step-by-step-guide-to-using-in-your-garden-farm 8/8/25,4:33 PM Page 6 of 17 TO: Yarmouth Conservation Commission From: Mary Ann Staudenmayer, Yarmouth Port RE: Good Hope Farm Plan for 88-100 Mill Lane, Yarmouth Port Date: August 4, 2025 Many Yarmouth residents have fond memories of Mill Farm with ponies grazing in a bucolic setting. The neighborhood was enhanced by the presence of Mill Farm. However, the Good Hope Farm Plan to relocate its S. Salem,NY farm to the site of the former Mill Farm raises some concerns. First, the 88-100 Mill Lane property borders both Mill Creek and Cape Cod Bay where Nitrogen runoff is an ongoing problem. The waste from 30 goats would contribute to the problem. Because the town ordinance allows 6.2 goats per acre, the Nitrogen runoff could potentially be increased even more. Controlling Nitrogen runoff is a concern. Second, a "black chain link fence" surrounding the property is not appropriate to the neighborhood. Several properties have split rail fences which were approved by the Historic Commission. A metal chainlink fence does not meet the historic standards. Third, many Yarmouth residents enjoy walking the Wharf Lane, Water Street, Mill Lane loop, some with their pets. Goats are adept at escaping their enclosures. An escaped goat would be a hazard to the walker and his/her pet. The relocation of the Good Hope Farm with 30 goats to 88-100 Mill Lane, Yarmouth Port would not be an asset to the neighborhood. It would add to the Nitrogen runoff, add inappropriate fencing, and put walkers and pets at risk. Thank you.