So, Google is hiring again, and no programming skills needed.  They are now mowing their lawns with 200 goats (including adorable little kid ones too!) once a year.

A Google representative responded to PETA concerns about the goat's treatment by saying that they are taken care of and that, "I can confirm that during their time in Mountain View, like other Google employees, each goat is entitled to a free organic lunch."

Don't worry--Investigative reporters are on the case.  Putting the usual coverage of silicon valley companies and social networking aside, Tech Crunch's MG Siegler, who works in a field where he may well be paid less than the famed lawnmowers, went out for a day of goat observing.  He braved the wind, electric fences and a shaky camera to produce a nineteen minute video of him hanging out with the goats.  He talked to them about sticks, grass, and existential questions ("Hey, what's going on?").  He helped feed them too a little grass and mused on how things are better on the other side of the fence.  (Note to readers: do not feed them flowers--they can be poisonous.)

This little cutie walked away after the reporter's swine flu joke.  More pictures and video here.

Puns and cuteness aside, they create less noise and air pollution than traditional mowers.  Plus, they fertilize the grounds as well.  Yahoo already employees goats to tend its lawns.  (It might have generated less buzz because of a lack of alliterative news titles.  Try "Yahoo Yaks" next time.)

At my last job, I got an occasional free burrito, but I don't think they were organic.  These goats seem to have a pretty sweet deal, at least for now.

If cost-cutting measures continue, perhaps Google will force employees to get their free lunches from the lawn too, putting herds of goats out of work.  Google could also use employees to provide, uhm, natural fertilizers, and save on bathroom facilities at the same time.