The cleanup is part of the cemetery’s upcoming expansion

ATASCADERO — For almost the entire month of January, local business SLO Goats & Sheep was instrumental in helping the Atascadero Cemetery District (Pine Mountain Cemetery) clear weeds and reduce unwanted vegetation on the premises with sustainable grazing.

“We installed a team on Dec. 29, 2024, and they completed their work on Jan. 26, 2025,” stated Cindy Findley of SLO Goats & Sheep. “Winter was ideal because toxic plants like poison oak are dormant, making the clearing process safer and more efficient.” 

This was the first time that the Atascadero Cemetery District and SLO Goats & Sheep had worked together. Findley said they were thrilled to be able to team up with the cemetery to help reduce invasive plants, improve the health of the land’s soil, and clear out dry grasses and weeds. This is especially important to reduce the possibility of fires. The goats and sheep were brought in, and they had five key roles in helping clear out and keep the cemetery safe. Those were:

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  • Devouring invasive species, dry grasses and excess vegetation.
  • The herd’s size made it so they could easily trample branches and new invasive growth.
  • The herd skirted the low-hanging branches on trees, which reduces ladder fuels that help fires get into tree canopies.
  • The herd’s grazing also reduced fire-prone fuel and created natural firebreaks while minimizing the need for extensive manual labor.
  • The sheep and goats hoofs also aerate the soil and promote better drainage and health for new plant growth.

“In addition, the nutrient-rich compost produced by manure and decomposing vegetation works wonders for the soil,” Findley added. “It naturally boosts fertility and reduces our reliance on synthetic fertilizers. In fact, an adult goat or sheep produces about 4 lbs. of organic fertilizer every day, nicely distributed throughout the area. Studies have found that targeted grazing can reduce vegetation biomass by 40-60 percent, significantly enhancing the overall sustainability of the land.”

SLO Goats & Sheep is owned by the Ordaz family, which has decades of experience in the grazing business.

“Three years ago, we started as strangers who met when I stopped by a roadside to admire their small herd and request a consultation for my ranch,” said Findley. “Now they are my family, true and true. I work on everything that does not require sweat while they work their butts off transporting, erecting fencing, and managing the teams.”

The Ordaz business started out small, but now SLO Goats & Sheep is turning down business, being in such high demand.  

“We run three teams every single day of the year providing fire fuel reduction across SLO County,” Findley continued. “It’s a good feeling when a business can support a family while providing valuable services for the community.”

The Atascadero Cemetery District is currently in the midst of an extension in which they will open new burial grounds on undeveloped land, and having the SLO Goats & Sheep herd come in was just the start of their process.

“The cemetery had earmarked grazing as a method to reduce vegetation and cut down on manual labor during their expansion. Director Cindy Summers heard about us from a previous client and invited us to review the expansion project and propose a solution,” Findley said, explaining how the collaboration started. “After we presented our detailed plan and timeline, the board voted in our favor, and we were fortunate to be awarded the project. As an Atascadero resident, I was especially excited to be part of this initiative. I was especially excited to help transform a space that can often be somber into one that brings hope, renewal, and a touch of light to the community.”

The grazing business installed a team of 75 goats and sheep that was perfectly planned and sized to cover the 10 acres that Atascadero Cemetery District needed to have grazed on. The goat-to-sheep ratio was carefully selected to make sure that the job was done thoroughly, and they were watched over by their guardian dog, named Peligro (“danger” in Spanish).

“Despite his intimidating name, Peligro is a kind and gentle soul devoted solely to protecting his herd,” Findley said. “He patrols day and night, helps with new births by keeping the little ones warm, and makes sure no predators disturb his family.”

There was even an unexpected birth of a lamb during the targeted grazing at the cemetery, which was adorably named Pine in honor of Pine Mountain Cemetery. Visitors were also able to watch the herd graze, and SLO Goats & Sheep even received a few phone calls thanking them for brightening cemetery visitor’s days.  

“Hearing that our team brought a smile to someone’s face means a great deal to us. It’s a reminder that sustainable, eco-friendly practices can have a real, positive impact on our community,” concluded Findley.

To find out more about SLO Goats & Sheep, go to slogoats.com

Featured Image: One of SLO Goats & Sheep’s teams grazes at Pine Mountain Cemetery. Photo provided by SLO Goats & Sheep