I guess this will keep them away

I Guess This Will Keep Them Away
#field #farm #laurafarms #animals #farmlife

Every farmer has that one ongoing battle—whether it’s weeds, pests, weather, or, in my case, animals that don’t respect fences or property lines. I thought I’d seen it all until this week when my carefully planted cornfield turned into a buffet for a gang of unexpected visitors.

It started with hoofprints. I walked out early one morning with my coffee in hand, planning to check on the new irrigation setup, when I noticed fresh tracks in the soft soil near the north fence line. Not deer—these were wider. Heavier. A little too close together for comfort. I followed the trail and sure enough, I found the culprits: three rogue goats standing in the middle of the field like they owned the place.

Now, these weren’t my goats. I know my animals, and these guys were way too smug to be mine. Turns out they’d busted out from a neighbor’s place half a mile down the road. No note. No apology. Just a trio of four-legged freeloaders munching on young corn shoots like they were at an all-you-can-eat salad bar.

I rounded them up and got them back home, but not before they left a trail of nibbled plants and a healthy dose of sass. That was the final straw. I needed a plan. Something foolproof. Something that would keep not only the goats out, but deter any other freeloaders thinking about using my farm as a snack stop.

Enter my secret weapon: Scarecrows. Not the raggedy, half-falling-apart kind you see in cartoons. No, I went all out. I built what I now lovingly refer to as “Scare-Cowboys.” Life-sized dummies wearing old jeans, flannel shirts, and even cowboy hats. I set them up around the perimeter of the field, each one posed differently—one tipping his hat, one pointing like he’s about to yell “Git!” and one holding a garden rake like a pitchfork. I even added an old Bluetooth speaker to one that randomly plays dog barking sounds throughout the day.

The result? Silence. No more goat invasions, no deer, no curious raccoons. It’s like the whole animal kingdom got the message loud and clear. I guess this will keep them away.

The funny thing is, the scarecowboys have become a bit of a local attraction. Folks driving by slow down to get a look. One neighbor asked if I was starting some kind of outdoor art installation. Another said it was the most “country thing” she’d ever seen—and honestly, I’ll take that as a compliment.

Farming is full of unexpected challenges, and creativity is half the job. You can’t control everything, but you can sure try to outsmart it. So if you’re ever facing some uninvited guests on your farm, don’t be afraid to get creative. Grab an old shirt, stuff it with straw, give it a name, and let it stand guard.

Just another day on the farm. Just another solution born out of frustration and duct tape.

And hey—if nothing else, it gives the cows something to stare at.