In many parts of the United States, goats effectively have restored brush fields to pasture. Now the Kentucky Division of Forestry has a provision in their Forest Land Enhancement Program that will allow landowners to use goats to control invasive brush and weeds in the Commonwealth’s forestlands. “Under this new provision, cooperating landowners can get 75 percent cost share for contracting with goat producers to perform this service,” said Terry Hutchens, Extension associate for goats at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. “In response to a need for more information about this, Kentucky’s land grant universities, UK and Kentucky State University, and the Kentucky Goat Producer’s Association decided to offer a workshop to educate goat producers and landowners about the opportunities this provision will provide to them.”The workshop titled “Utilization of Goats as a Management Tool in Hardwood Forests of Kentucky,” will begin at 9 a.m. CST on April 15 at the Logan County Extension Office.Hutchens said topics include an overview of why FLEP wants to use goats, an overview of vegetative management, brush ecology, livestock behavior, nutrition and supplementation, fencing and facilities, economics and financial planning, and understanding and writing contracts. An H. Pieschel, Extension goat specialist at Tennessee State University, will conduct the workshop.“Prior to becoming a specialist, An operated a goat grazing company,” Hutchens said. “She brings a great deal of experience and insight to this workshop and we are excited to hear from her.”Registration is free, but is required and includes a sponsored meal. For registration or further information, contact Gil Myers with the Kentucky Goat Producers Association (270) 324-3811, the Logan County Extension Office (270) 726-6323, or Terry Hutchens (859) 257-7533.The Logan County Extension Office is located at 121 S. Spring Street in Russellville.