:strip_icc()/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_afe5c125c3bb42f0b5ae633b58923923/internal_photos/bs/2024/S/9/UmBdumQoqLMUhrMtFN6A/casa-ecologica.png "Pigs helped build eco-house in England; How to find | Sustainable Farming")
A couple from Caerphilly, Wales came up with an unusual solution to build the eco-home of their dreams. They enlisted the help of two pigs named Cagney and Lacey to do the job.
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Animals did not participate in breaking down. They removed the tamarind trees grown by the previous owner of the place and worked the land. For example, pigs pull out the roots of plants when they root in the earth in search of food such as earthworms.
In an interview with the South Wales Argus website, the owner, Elizabeth Ostrowski, explains, “In general, it is difficult to remove ferns without resorting to harmful chemicals.” With the participation of pigs, the removal takes place in a more sustainable manner.
The couple has gardens, vegetable gardens and mushroom farming. In addition to serving as a home for the couple, there is a space reserved for entertaining visitors, a woodshed and a lake.
“We have composting toilets, we run on solar power, our water is natural and we have an uncompromising commitment to using environmentally safe laundry and cleaning products,” says Ostrowski on the property's official website.
That place was the final National Welsh Environment AwardsThe award celebrates sustainable initiatives in Wales.
+ Discover the Brazilian award that recognizes sustainable farms
Are ferns poisonous?
He explains that the plant belongs to an order called Pteridophytes, which is known to be vascular and seedless, and should not be in close proximity to animals. Everton GrabeGeneral President of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Institute for Pigs and Poultry (Embrapa).
“Ferns are toxic plants. When we talk about Brazil, for example, we know that they usually grow in areas with low fertility and little opportunities for agricultural research. These are usually areas with poor and acidic soils. There are many toxic molecules, and each one is carcinogenic, neurotoxic. and have different effects on many animals.
Experts advise that animals and ferns should not be in the same place, as this is dangerous and poses a risk of poisoning.
Henry Blackwell is a contributor at Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a wide range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. He focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and useful information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. His work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, with an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and accessible journalism.