verdant vistas

6058 Riverdale Road S. Salem, OR 97302 Phone 503-391-1377

Contact: Pat or George Copa Phone: 503-391-1377

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10 A.M. PT, January 4, 2006

verdant vistas hosts first predator-proof structure in oregon

SALEM, OREGON JANUARY 8, 2006:  Good morning! It’s a real pleasure to be here with you this morning to tell you why we are excited to be able to work with the Mountain Lion Foundation to provide a model cougar-proof pen at our farm, Verdant Vistas.

I am Pat Copa and with me is our #1 farm hand—and spouse—George and together we operate a small fiber goat farm in the south Salem hills not far from Independence. As we explored a farm enterprise in the late 90’s, one of the most important considerations for us was that any animals we kept would not be harmed. Eventually we decided to raise Pygora fiber goats, a breed that was developed in Oregon in the 70s and began as a cross between pygmy and angora goats. We now have 26-28 adult goats and raise about 20 kids each spring who are sold across the northwest and the rest of the country—and, we sell their fiber for spinning and felting and yarn for knitting and weaving. Within the next few months, our yarn will be sold in an outstanding Portland yarn shop.

Our animals are very dear to us—George might tell you that is understatement. From an economic perspective, they are valuable commercial property. Thus, it‘s critical to us that they are safe and healthy at all times. On the other hand, we also treasure the critters that live in the hills around us and frequently call out at night with their eerie howls and barks. So--we have found different ways to set up peaceful and mutually-beneficial relationships between our farm animals and those who live in the wild. For example, we were very fortunate to have two small enclosed barns on our farm when we bought it. We put up sturdy perimeter fencing and have employed two competent guard llamas. However, I’m always dividing up goats into different groupings and wanting to rotate fields so the structures the Mountain Lion Foundation has developed are very good resources for us. For many of our buyers, several of whom are 4-H/FFA member families, the features we had on our farm when we moved in or have invested into our commercial operation are not reasonable or even possible.  The Mountain Lion Foundation structures provide secure, inexpensive housing for these folks’ small groups of Pygoras and other farm animals. Potential Pygora buyers often tour our farm and ask for ideas on goat structures. We are pleased to be able to show them a shelter than is economical and provides exceptional safety for their new livestock.

I was very active in 4-H as a youngster and teen and George was an equally dedicated FFAer. We both have been educators our whole professional lives. We always look forward to bringing our little goat kids to the Oregon Ag Fest and Mission Mill’s Sheep to Shawl festival each spring. It’s a special experience to introduce 2- and 4-legged kids to each other and see the wonder. “Can I touch your goat?”  Several young people tour our farm each year and we have visited schools bringing young goats the past couple years. 4-H, FFA, and other young people are very important customers for us and we are committed to helping them develop high standards of animal husbandry, including living in harmony with wild creatures.

George and I sincerely applaud the work the Mountain Lion Foundation is doing to develop facilities and operations that are friendly to people, livestock and wildlife too. We are pleased to be part of setting the standard for the farm community to do just this!