Beige and brown and tan and black, with horns spiraled or semicircular or in undulating waves, a legion of goats marched up the hill toward us, bleating in anticipation of fresh grass and leaves.

After around three years at the head of the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank’s goat grazing operation, Island farmer Zachary Jesse is hanging up his hat as lead goat herder.

In Chilmark last Friday, a queen and a mother, horned and cloven-hooved, died at the Native Earth Teaching farm after a period of illness.

The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank is tightening its pet policy after eight land bank goats were injured in recent dog attacks.

The approval of a new awning for the Land Bank Goats comes after a meeting last month between land bank staff, the Agricultural Society and Island animal control officers on the wellbeing of the herd.

Questions about the wellbeing of the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank goat herd were raised at a meeting this week between land bank staff, Island animal control officers and the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society.

Goats seem to be the new Vineyard obsession. And why not? Goats have a lot going for them.

The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank has acquired 120 goats, following a two-year pilot program at the Farm Institute, and plans to deploy them as living lawnmowers as early as next week. The goats will take up residency at Waskosim's Rock in Chilmark.

Imagine sheep grazing at Wasque Point on Chappaquiddick, or goats and cattle browsing the greenery at Long Point Wildlife Refuge.

It’s not a long shot if farmers and conservation groups can manage land together, says David R. Foster, an ecologist and director of the Harvard Forest.

“This is a fabulous time for agriculture and there’s a wonderful opportunity for agriculture, land owners and conservationists to come together in a way that they haven’t previously,” Mr. Foster said in an interview at his home this week.

The sound of bleating echoed across the water.

“Do you hear them?” Kristen Fauteux said standing at the edge of Daggett Pond at Cedar Tree Neck Sanctuary.

The still June morning had just settled over the pond on Wednesday as three pygmy goats made their maiden voyage from the head of the pond to its eastern edge, a small wake trailing behind their raft.