cow protection - Blog - ISKCON Desire Tree | IDT2024-03-29T11:38:48Zhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/cow+protectionOur Farms, Now More Necessary than Ever by Jiva Tattva dashttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/our-farms-now-more-necessary-than-ever-by-jiva-tattva-das2023-12-31T09:30:00.000Z2023-12-31T09:30:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="https://i.imgur.com/P19EJsA.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://i.imgur.com/P19EJsA.jpg?profile=RESIZE_584x" alt="P19EJsA.jpg?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="450" /></a></p>
<p>This is an article of appreciation and support to all our devotees who are working and maintaining our rural communities, producing food and taking care of the cows. Right now when we are living in a situation where, all the modern civilization is paralyzed and threatened for a very contagious disease and an impending economical chaos, all your services take a very special relevance. Srila Prabhupada already visualized this scenario and he spoke many times about it and bought many farms around the world so the devotees can live in. We can think that to buy farms and cows, was not a direct order of his Guru Maharaj, or from the Goswamis, however because of his immense goodness and mercy he was convinced, that it was a completely relevant aspect for Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu Sankirtan Movement. He bought these farms to create a simple and natural way of life, self-sufficient and aimed toward self realization.</p>
<p>Like an expert doctor who seeing a patient with metastases know that he will soon die, Srila Prabhupada by seeing how the modern society have created so many slaughterhouses, so many cars and industries spoiling the atmosphere, paper money as an economic base, drugs, abortion… he knew the consequences of these activities, that by laws of nature there will be war, pestilence, famine and many other unwanted calamities. He also knew… that the devotees always have problems to live a rural life, far from the commodities of the cities, the jobs, the supermarkets… we are used to it. But he insisted and made his motto “simple living high thinking”. He said that finally many, many people would come to our farms. We appreciate so much the broad vision of these projects boost by Srila Prabhupada. So, many of his words were predictions of the future. Prabhu Gokularajana count:</p>
<p>Gokularanajana: With his cane Prabhupada pointed to the skyline and said, “You see this city? This city and all cities will collapse very soon. Do you know why?” Everyone hesitated, wondering, but Tamal Krishna quickly said, “Because the people here don’t know how to grow food.”… Prabhupada said, “Yes.” Growing food is the whole purpose of our farm communities and we still are trying to grasp their importance. (Gokularanajana Ch, 44)</p>
<p>So this artificial way of banking, that will be also collapsed. [Conversation, January 1977]</p>
<p>The social body of the modern civilization has shown its illness in the form of this pandemic which has stopped all of humanity. Devotees are also affected because all our preaching activities like Harinams, restaurants, Sankirtan, etc have had to stop. Literally, at least in relation with the public, the Sankirtan Movement is forced to stop. But Prabhupada assured us that nothing will stop this Movement. Then? Why does it happens? For the materialistic people it is a big disaster and danger, but for the Lord´s devotee, although it´s the same danger, he knows that it is also a situation to improve his service. First personally, to look inside and think which lesson we have to learn from this and examine our services. And also as a community, cooperate and be closer together than ever to improve our Krishna conscious management. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Krishna Himself, He is Acyuta, Infallible. His Sankirtan Movement is always victorious, param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam. Lord Caitanya is the most magnanimous form of the Lord, namo maha-vadanyaya… In this age His only weapons are His devotees, confidential companions and the Holy Name, säìgopäìgästra-pärñadam yajïaiù saìkértana So we can be sure that all Sankirtan Movement´s activities will recover very soon. Prabhupada says:</p>
<p>But we must learn to tolerate all the difficulties and push on regardless of whatever obstacles we may be presented with. No one can stop this Krishna Consciousness Movement because Lord Caitanya wants that His Holy Names will be spread to every village and town.</p>
<p>Srila Prabhupada always gives a lot of importance, to the cows and food production in our farms. Curiously we see in the actual world crisis that in all big cities like New York, London, or Paris, the fashion shop, jewelleries, car companies like Mercedes, Audi, everything is close.The big and famous airports and train station practically also close. But which only shops are open all around? Only food stores.</p>
<p>There are many professions, according to the different qualities and karma of the people like teachers, administrators, lawyers, engineers, but all profession depend on food. What profession Srila Prabhupada call a gift from God?:</p>
<p>Therefore God’s gifted professions for mankind are agriculture and cow protection. Agriculture is the noblest profession. It makes society happy, wealthy, healthy, honest, and spiritually advanced for a better life after death. (Ligth of the Bhagavata. Vs. 9)</p>
<p>Even in ancient time, in Rome, the great philosopher Cicerone said: “The Agriculture is the proper profession of the sage, the most suitable for the simple person, and the most worthy occupation for all free man”.</p>
<p>Srila Prabhupada did not agree with the approach of what the humanity called “progress” When he saw the great industrial development and the false banking economy, he say: “Factory means destruction. And agriculture means construction” sohe insisted on applying a natural and ecological life in his Movement:</p>
<p>Prabhupada: Actually if you possess land and cows, the Government can fail or not, but your real value is there. That is real property. The basic principle of economy is centered around the land and cows.</p>
<p>We hear that the main problem for the devotees to stay in the farms are that they don´t have a job that would produce a basic economy to pay their bills. However there are many works in relation with the land, food production and cows, which can be develop and you can make profit. One way is to organize a producer’s team that in addition to planting organic products, also have local mills, eco manufactures and cow products. Secondly to have another group who can sell the products, open shops, restaurants, supply to eco stores, etc These are all sustainable jobs and in harmony with nature. Soon there will be many devotees would like to join the farm communities, therefore all possible arrangements must be made.</p>
<p>Mainly after the departure of Prabhupada the devotees were taught to do Sankirtana and to those with more tendency to vaisya to also sell paintings and others products from India and eastern countries. In the beginning to buy and maintain the Temples, but later it became the only profession to maintain their families, practically to this day. Now in this crisis we have the opportunity, for the new generation of devotees with Vaisya´s nature, are trained as true Vaisyas, just as the Bhagavad-gita teaches:</p>
<p>Prabhupada: Therefore our, as recommended in the Bhagavad-gétä; kåñi-go-rakñya-väëijyam [Bg. 18.44] People… A class of men should be trained up for agriculture, producing food grain, and cow protection.</p>
<p>Actually, this machine civilization is shocked and wobbles because it has no real scientific basis for harmony with the earth, neither with human beings, nor with the Divine laws of nature.</p>
<p>Srila Prabhupada was clear, about the true life system for his devotees and humanity in general, so they can get the maximum benefit of this human form of life. Now in this forced confinement, is a good opportunity to meditate, pray, and surrender more our life to Krishna, so we can get better understanding of Srila Prabhupäda instruction for all of us and his Movement.<br /> <br /> <strong>Source: </strong><a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=84915">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=84915</a></p></div>An ox visits a primary school by Sanjay Gohilhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/an-ox-visits-a-primary-school-by-sanjay-gohil2022-07-09T12:34:33.000Z2022-07-09T12:34:33.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10632259454,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="450" alt="10632259454?profile=RESIZE_584x" /></p>
<p>Bhaktivedanta Manor’s goshala, New Gokul Farm, is dedicated to the welfare of a beautiful herd of cows, oxen and two bulls. Beyond meeting their everyday needs, the goshala team love preaching to our community about Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings of Cow Protection! We enjoy delivering courses on Cow Protection with the School of Bhakti, hosting retreats, and doing workshops. But for the very first time, we headed to a school to preach about Cow Protection to young students!</p>
<p>Friday 8th July 2022 was a very exciting day. At 8.30am we loaded up our beautiful ox, Ram, into the trailer and we began the 1.5 mile journey to the sweet Gurukula – The Hare Krishna Primary School!</p>
<p>When we arrived, 3 year-old Ram proudly marched into his pre-made enclosure in the playground and was ready to say hello to the school community!</p>
<p>The students were treated to a range of activities and had an opportunity to ask lots of questions about cow husbandry. We spoke on the glories of cow dung and then the students made some dung patties and sowed some flowering seeds into individual pots using cow dung and soil. They even got to see dried dung being burned to boil a saucepan of milk! But the highlight was most definitely the opportunity to brush Ram – the students loved getting up close and personal with him! We ended the activities with a Go-Puja ceremony and some blissful Kirtan lead by the students.</p>
<p>In the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.6.19) Śrīla Prabhupāda said “There are so many facilities afforded by cow protection, but people have forgotten these arts. The importance of protecting cows is therefore stressed by Kṛṣṇa in Bhagavad-gītā (kṛṣi-go-rakṣya-vāṇijyaṁ vaiśya-karma svabhāvajam).”</p>
<p>Helping instill a deep love for cows at an early age is no doubt a powerful tool in the Cow Protection mission as young students will grow up knowing the importance of Cow Protection service.</p>
<p>We’d like to thank Visakha Prabhu and the Bhaktivedanta Manor management team for their support in making this event happen. We’d also like to thank Gunacuda Dasi and the Gurukula teachers for welcoming Ram and the goshala team onto their grounds. Finally, we’d like to extend our deepest gratitude to Dean for taking the time out of his day to drive Ram from New Gokul Farm to the school and back – thank you!</p>
<p>We’d like to invite all readers of this post to New Gokul Farm – a place where devotees are sincerely trying to serve cows, oxen and bulls to the highest of standards. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!<br /> <br /> <strong>Source: </strong><a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=100211">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=100211</a></p></div>Plant based Dietary Lobby groups bring attention to the cow in the room by proposing less cows and other animalshttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/plant-based-dietary-lobby-groups-bring-attention-to-the-cow-in-12021-11-23T11:40:40.000Z2021-11-23T11:40:40.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><strong><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9836306461,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="429" alt="9836306461?profile=RESIZE_584x" />A Gorakshya (Cow Protection) Perspective by Syamasundara Das</strong></p>
<p>I am submitting a response to an article I read very recently by Jennifer Mishler in Sentient Media. Plant-Based Companies Call Attention to ‘the Cow in the Room’ at COP26 (<a href="https://sentientmedia.org/plant-based-companies-call-attention-to-the-cow-in-the-room-at-cop26/">https://sentientmedia.org/plant-based-companies-call-attention-to-the-cow-in-the-room-at-cop26/</a>)</p>
<p>In Jennifer Mishler’s article she mentions <em>‘environmental harms of animal agriculture, often left out of climate change discussions—and most importantly—not addressed in climate policy or action.’</em> At first glance we might think yes, we would agree with that, we have heard it so many times that it practically rolls off our own tongues. But I ask you to hold on for a minute and pick out the various issues and wonder if we agree with the premise then. In the article the environmental harms are not specifically sited and hence we don’t know what is being referred to. It is clear throughout the article that the drive is towards a plant-based diet and a reduction if not elimination of animal agriculture. In this article I am not going to talk about all the many types of animal agriculture as that is not my focus, here I want to bring our attention to Cows or specifically Cow Protection or Gorakshya and how this might be affected by articles like this. So let me restate then my understanding of the article with cows in mind. The lobbyists are proposing a reduction in dairy production and consumption.</p>
<p><em>“We simply cannot afford to ignore the cow in the room any longer—the science is clear that targets to reduce meat and dairy production and consumption are crucial if we are to meet internationally agreed-upon climate targets,” said Claire Bass, Executive Director of Humane Society International/UK.</em></p>
<p>I am sure the regular readers of Danavats will not disagree that meat eating should be reduced or better still negated and certainly would not support the raising of cows for slaughter. Yet we want to balance any position we hold when exposed to the liberal statements where Srila Prabhupada sets out conditions when meat eating, even cows, could be available.</p>
<p><em>Srila Prabhupada ‘…But don’t eat cows until after they have died a natural death. We don’t say, “Don’t eat.” You are so very fond of eating cows. All right, you can eat them, because after their death we have to give them to somebody, some living entity. (conversation with Yogesvara Das cited in Journey of Self Discovery).</em></p>
<p>Within our realm of Gorakshya there is a place for those who don’t have plant and dairy based diets. Just wait a while it will die anyway. Something must be done with the body. You can have it then, even to eat. Hare Krishna’s are not going to be eating any cows even those that died naturally but for the general society there is a natural source without any killing. There is scope within the practices of Gorakshya to provide dead cows for the general society. From a purifying your consciousness perspective we would say don’t eat meat, or at least reduce your intake, however from a societal perspective Srila Prabhupada has outlined a practical step so those who cannot or will not completely give it up can continue within a limited setting.</p>
<p>In regard to having a discussion with the leaders of society about animal-based agriculture, we are likely to have many points we would like them to consider. One that comes to my mind foremost is if we want to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels then why not increase our dependence on animal traction or in our case ox traction. Really? Using oxen for transportation. That is very controversial, forward looking but drawing from the past, sustainability but at a slower pace, not high tech but locally available low tech. Certainly this is going to go in one ear and leave quickly through the other of any leader exposed to such a notion. Come to think of it we might want to have this discussion with our own inhouse leaders as a precursor to our attempts to save the world.</p>
<p>The article goes on <em>‘Research shows that factory farming is <a href="https://sentientmedia.org/how-animal-agriculture-is-accelerating-the-climate-crisis/">accelerating the climate crisis</a>. Despite only providing <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/global-land-for-agriculture">18 percent</a> of the world’s calories, the livestock industry uses 77 percent of the land used for agriculture—and contributes more than <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352100490_Emissions_from_Animal_Agriculture-165_Is_the_New_Minimum_Figure">16 percent</a> of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. One recent study <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/heres-how-much-food-contributes-to-climate-change/">found</a> the animal agriculture industry’s impact to be much higher, at nearly 57 percent of total emissions.</em></p>
<p>Here we must take a serious pause and consider what is being said here and wonder does this support a gorakshya position. Here the word factory farming is used and is likely to get many emotional reactions. We can talk about this point a bit later in the article. Here the comparison is on the calorific output of land used for plant-based foods compared with food from animal agriculture. There is a saying give a dog a bad name and hang him. I think this is the same here. Give cows a bad name and then reduce them or eliminate them without really considering the issues. If you want to bamboozle the population talk in terms of calorific output and then compare different rates of calorific output. When any of us consider our food for the day we have an eye on calories if we are trying to lose excess weight, however, I dare say, hardly any of us seriously consider calories in our food choice and aspects of our meals of the day. We mostly choose from our likes and dislikes. We choose foods that satisfy us in some way and are available at our local producer or supplier. To compare a field of beans with the calorific output of dairy cows per acre is an irritation to our normal thinking. I suggest a more realistic question would be how can we provide nutritious food for everyone and in our particular setting with a dairy element. As dairy producers we naturally must ensure the food production is sustainable environmentally, socially, economically and spiritually. The calorie component might be interesting but it not the key consideration. A key question to ask would be can we provide food for the cows we need to provide our dairy, and can we provide the food we need to feed the worlds population. A topic of another article could be where is there a food shortage on the earth and why.</p>
<p>If you are interested in calorie comparisons, then why just compare beans with dairy. Why not compare the calorie measurement of the food production. For example, how many calories are used in growing beans in the machinery manufacturing, in the fuel consumption etc. In the cows you may also want to give a credit to the calories in the dung and what its calorific energy potential is. Bamboozle the readers by talking about something they know little about and then prescribe a solution to a problem you have injected. What we do know is that dairy consumption is at the heart of Agricultural production outlined by Krishna in the Bhagavad- Gita. Tilling the land, Cow Protection and Trade are the natural work of the merchant community. Cow protection or Go-Rakshya is about producing milk and ensuring the cows are protected.</p>
<p>Factory Farms. Dictionary Meaning <em>–a system of rearing livestock using highly intensive methods, by which poultry, pigs, or cattle are confined indoors under strictly controlled conditions.</em> I would say that this method of cattle rearing does not appeal to a cow protector on face value. Our idea is cows grazing the fields and ranging as they wish. However, in the UK, where I am writing from, the cows are generally kept indoors during the winter months for about 5 or 6 months as the ground cannot take the cows hooves during the wet months as this leads to poaching of the soil. So, a normal cow herding system in the UK requires a period of confinement indoors. The notion of highly intensive methods does not ring too well in our minds as it gives the connotation of not really taking care of the cows in a loving environment. Such methods also suggest a strained numerical relationship between cows and their handlers and carers. If you want to save money have less people and more mechanization. Cow Protection is a method of close interaction of the cows and their protectors and if you are choosing the preferred method of hand milking then you have a milking cow to milker of about 8 cows per milker. Natural milking then has a higher labour requirement and a related expense associated with it. This is quite different to the modern milking parlour where one person milks over a hundred cows, or even more extreme an automated system that has a person observing from afar. When we look at our own larger goshalas in Vrindavana and Mayapura we note that for them to have a working goshala in their locations they have adopted a practice of large pens and the fodders brought in. The cows are happy and contented and all their needs are met. Ok some improvements can always be cited, however if you visit and observe the cows you will note how well they are cared for and how happy the cows are. I bring these two goshalas into the discussion as point of reference when we consider what might be wrong with a ‘Factory Farm’ for cows. Having a lot of cows together, some herds have 28,000 cows, is a problem in that such a large quantity of cows together are hardly going to get appropriate pasture opportunity to graze and eat their fodder directly from the land. Again, if we draw on my examples so far. The UK herds are winter housed and so are not grazing 6 months or so a year, our large goshalas in India also do not have sufficient grazing for all their needs. Both examples require fodder to brought in and fed during the times when grazing is not available. Half a year for one example and all year for the other. I am saying this so we can balance our views about what might be wrong with a factory farm for cows system that we could clearly say is a problem. Having a well managed large herd in itself is not a problem if properly run, we are reminded of the massive herds of cows attributed to Krishna and his village in Vrindavana, Ok he had a distinct advantage of having unlimited resources and was able to stretch land use and movement but I think we can draw on a point that we can not be against large herd numbers per se. Our point could be that we are against large herds being poorly run. In a large concentration of cows contained in barns or yards you are faced with the manure and urine resource and how you handle it for the improvement of the land and society. The farmers want this manure and urine for their own crop production and so the manure is not a waste product but it is a resource of added value that needs to be appropriately placed and handled. If a large farm allows its manures to enter water sources then naturally the nutrition content of the manures can overload the ability of the water and its inhabitants to bare it. The solution being done overload the water sources with manures and cow urine. It is not the problem that cows give us dung and urine it is the problem of how their bodily surpluses are used. Often times we find figures where those proposing no cows or less cows calculate the total amount of manure the worlds cows produce and then describe it negatively as being a burden to the earth. Far from it the manures of all the worlds cows is a benefit to the world, but handle it properly.</p>
<p>Methane Gas. Much is being said about the gaseous discharges of the cows from belching and flatulating and usually in a non-too supportive way. We are led to believe that the cows are contributing to the heating of the plant by their methane contributions and that the heating of the planet is a bad thing and should be curtailed. One of the areas of propaganda is that there are too many cows and if there were less the methane load would be reduced and we would have a colder planet. Frankly I am very doubtful about many of the claims being made about the impact of cow gases. Practically speaking all that we know about the cow is beneficial to the cow and to the land. How can we accept that the things we can’t really measure like where has their gas gone be detrimental? It does not seem logical. To find what is the science behind cow methane in the atmosphere you find a maze of information. Which information is authoritative. How much time can a layperson spend dredging through myriads of misleading notions and statements. For me as cow protecting focused person, I cannot accept the idea that cows are detrimental to the planet. Where is such evidence. Statements about it is not evidence. If anybody has a simple study (for my mind) that can settle my doubt I am very interested. Everything we know about the cow is beneficial, why should we assume the gas is not part of this benevolence.</p>
<p>More from the article <em>“We simply cannot afford to ignore the cow in the room any longer—the science is clear that targets to reduce meat and dairy production and consumption are crucial if we are to meet internationally agreed-upon climate targets,” said Claire Bass, Executive Director of Humane Society International/UK.</em></p>
<p>‘The science is clear’. Is it, where is this clear science. Why should there be a global reduction in dairy production. Why should there be a global reduction in the numbers of cows. How much dairy should each person have available to them in any case. Perhaps we might consider Srila Prabhupadas conversation in New Vrindavana West Virginia in 1974 as a guide</p>
<p><strong>Prabhupāda: </strong>So everyone is getting milk? How much?</p>
<p><strong>Kīrtanānanda:</strong> As much as they want.</p>
<p><strong>Prabhupāda: </strong>As much as they want, then jaundice. [laughter] Too much is not good. They may take minimum half pound per head.</p>
<p><strong>Kīrtanānanda: </strong>Minimum.</p>
<p><strong>Prabhupāda:</strong> Minimum. And maximum one pound. Not more than that. But “Because there is enough, let us eat,” no. That is not good. But children must get at least one pound milk. If they drink more milk, they become stout and strong. ¶</p>
<p>Here in Srila Prabhupadas own words he acknowledges that too much milk can lead to health issues and he gives a recommendation of half a pound to one pound of milk per person per day. For a global population of 7.9 billion people, we might wonder how many cows we need to produce that amount of milk. An internet search informs us that there are about 1 billion cows on the earth. In a comparable study of the UK and what a national cow protected herd would look like I came to a ratio of humans to cows as 6.6:1 and each person would be getting 0.28 litres of milk per day. Simplistically speaking if extrapolate the same ratios globally we can estimate that for a total world population of 7.9 billion we would need a herd of 1.2 billion cows, bulls, calves and oxen. Of course, this simple analysis is not taking into account the differences between bos indicus and bos taurus type cows and their respective milk yields. However, if we were to take into account that bos indicus give less milk then the total global herd would need to be larger. My simple cow protection analysis informs us <strong>that there are not too many cows on this earth </strong>there are not enough to provide the dairy needs of the whole population if they wanted it. As the world can provide for the present and expanded herd so it can for the food supply.</p>
<p>Drutakarma Prabhu writes ‘The world is far from being overpopulated. A simple calculation shows that all five billion men, women, and children on earth could be placed within the 267,339 square miles of the state of Texas, with each person occupying about fifteen hundred square feet of space. But what about food? A study by the University of California’s Division of Agricultural Science shows that by practicing the best agricultural methods now in use, the world’s farmers could raise enough food to provide an American style diet for ten times the present population. And if people would be satisfied with an equally nourishing but mostly vegetarian diet, we could feed thirty times the present population.</p>
<p>The notion that there are too many cows and they should be reduced is an anti cow position and we as cow protection aspirants should be cautious about how we are exposed to these ideas and how we might use the information in our own presentations. We might support that people should not eat meat because it is not good for their consciousness, and we would certainly say the cows should not be killed. However, we are mindful of Srila Prabhupadas ideas he presented in being able to provide dead cows for those who must continue. It is the management practices of large farms and their attempts at increasing profit at the expense of local environments that we can raise concern about, and our appeal is that land and cows should be farmed responsibly and sustainably. I suggest to you that we are not against the current global herd size, but we are against harmful practices that are overloading and draining local requirements. Hare Krishna<br /> <br /> <strong>Source: </strong><a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=96469">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=96469</a></p></div>Cow Protection at Bhaktivedanta Manorhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/cow-protection-at-bhaktivedanta-manor2021-05-16T12:27:17.000Z2021-05-16T12:27:17.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><strong><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8935068893,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="8935068893?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="450" />By Sanj Gohil</strong></p>
<p>“There are so many facilities afforded by cow protection, but people have forgotten these arts. The importance of protecting cows is therefore stressed by Kṛṣṇa in Bhagavad-gītā (kṛṣi-go-rakṣya-vāṇijyaṁ vaiśya-karma svabhāvajam).</p>
<p>– Śrīla Prabhupāda, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, 10.6.19, Purport.</p>
<p>Established in 1973, Bhaktivedanta Manor has truly developed into a spiritual hub like no other. It is organized, structured, and methodologically presented in such a way that it leaves a lasting impression on visitors all year round. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s presence is felt in every corner of the Bhaktivedanta Manor grounds; from the temple room to the Tulsi house, from George Harrison’s memorial garden to the beautiful lake, and from the Haveli to New Gokul Farm, our beacon cow sanctuary!</p>
<p>Caring for cows has been an integral part of Bhaktivedanta Manor’s history and the first cow were brought onsite soon after the estate was acquired by the devotees with the financial help of the late Beatle, George Harrison. Over time, the cow sanctuary facilities grew and in 2010, HH Bhakti Charu Swami arrived to open the brand-new goshala complex dedicated to taking the Manor’s cow protection program to a whole new level. The facilities feature modern barns, a cow hospital, and a milking room to draw ahimsa milk from our happy cows! A special feature of the complex is the integrated classrooms, a small bakery kitchen and a nursery pre-school has even temporarily moved in!</p>
<p>Currently we are caring for a herd size of 64 and our primary breed is the hardy Meuse Rhine Issel. Our cows produce nourishing milk to which is used to make delicious offerings for our residing deities, the ever-beautiful Sri Radha Gokulananda, the merciful Sri Sita Rama Lakshman Hanuman, and of course our dearest Sri Gaura Nitai! We have two mating bulls and any males born into our family are employed for draught work to help us cultivate the land to grow our own vegetables!</p>
<p>New Gokul Farm is managed by a small team of permanent staff as well as a whole host of enthusiastic volunteers. Together, a real sense of service to the herd can be seen as everyone is collectively committed to ensuring their wellbeing and happiness is maintained. The team milk the cows, feed them, and wash them regularly. People also eagerly come to help on our small agricultural plot which is connected to the cow pasturing land, and the produce is sold to visitors as well as cooked for our prasadam distribution programs. During this COVID-19 pandemic we’ve been growing tomatoes, aubergine, courgettes, spinach, carrots, beetroot and pumpkin! We really are extremely grateful for the time and energy our volunteers direct towards New Gokul Farm to make it what it is!</p>
<p>2010 was a monumental time for us as the new sanctuary facilities gave us a platform to practically display to the world the meaning of Cow Protection. Now, in 2021, we are taking our Cow Protection program to the next level which focuses on education and preaching. It began with social media to raise awareness of New Gokul Farm as well as Śrīla Prabhupāda’s vision for cows within ISKCON. Now as our social media platforms have been established and we have a consistently growing following, we are planning to teach a short introductory course on the topic of Cow Protection through our education department called School of Bhakti! We hope this becomes a catalyst for further cow related courses being established in our educational curriculum. It really is exciting times!</p>
<p>The ultimate and ideal goal of our cow protection preaching efforts must be to inspire people to take up the responsibility of caring for cows themselves. As the grips of Kaliyuga strengthen, there is an immediate need for devotees to take up this common Vaisnava duty of caring for cows and cultivating the land to produce crop. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s cow protection vision and the teachings of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam regarding Varṇāśrama is not something to just think of as a utopian but unrealistic way of life. We must see it as sublime and something to actively strive towards. We often keep cow figurines as altar paraphernalia and we heartwarmingly think of the Lord’s sweet pastimes in Vṛndāvana with His cows. This remembrance of Lord Kṛṣṇa is integral for our spiritual development and now is the time to transform this remembrance into action for the descendants of Surabhi.</p>
<p>We learn that the killing of cows is hugely detrimental to the peaceful progression of society and the karmic reactions from such a gross activity is immense. Through reading scriptures such as the Bhagavad-Gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, we know cows need to be protected and cared for if society is to be spiritually uplifted. Bhaktivedanta Manor stands strong in this purpose! We hope that our preaching efforts will inspire others to give cow protection a serious thought as a complete occupation or as an integrated, spiritually motivated pastime.</p>
<p>Our wider congregation is huge, ever growing, and we have supporters and well-wishers all over the UK and beyond. We are in an extremely blessed situation! Our close proximity to the nearby towns and the city of London has certainly got its benefits for preaching purposes however we have learned one thing; the majority of us have been conditioned to accept a fast-paced city life as opposed to an agrarian one. It has become clear to Bhaktivedanta Manor that alongside structured education on the topic of cow protection, devotees leading more self-sufficient lifestyles will be an important factor in the development of this essential cow-caring part of our dharma. The idea is that with proper knowledge, land and community support, devotee families can lead more self-sufficient lifestyles where some fruits and vegetables can be produced, and a cow or two can live peacefully and in harmony with the family. Of course, if it is not feasible to make such changes in our lives, we must still honour our duty of cow protection therefore we encourage the support of already existing cow protection initiatives, including our New Gokul Farm!</p>
<p>Śrīla Prabhupāda regularly enquired about the wellbeing of the cows at Bhaktivedanta Manor and mentioned His desire to have 150 cows onsite. We are 86 short of that target but with no neighboring land available to purchase currently, a new solution may need to be considered. That, alongside the GBC’s resolution for more ahimsa milk may mean a New Gokul Farm sister facility could be the answer and talks are ongoing regarding this idea. Again, it is exciting times here at Bhaktivedanta Manor!</p>
<p>Ultimately our goal is to lead by example with regards to Cow Protection in our movement and beyond, and for us to do this we must deeply study the scriptures such Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and read over everything Śrīla Prabhupāda has said about the topic. It is everyone’s duty to protect cows, and Bhaktivedanta Manor’s congregation folds their hands in appreciation and in honour for everyone in this world who is working to see Śrīla Prabhupāda’s vision for cow care and sustainable farm communities manifest. Hare Krishna!</p>
<div><strong>Source: </strong><a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=95408">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=95408</a></div></div>Cow Protection: It is not just your temple’s responsibilityhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/cow-protection-it-is-not-just-your-temple-s-responsibility2020-05-07T08:59:30.000Z2020-05-07T08:59:30.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img class="align-center" src="https://i.imgur.com/uqQFHQV.jpg?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="450" alt="uqQFHQV.jpg?profile=RESIZE_584x" /></p>
<p><strong>By Sanjaya Gohil </strong>(Bhaktivedanta Manor, UK.)</p>
<p>“When Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa incarnated Himself at Vṛndāvana, He took pleasure in becoming a beloved son of such a vaiśya family. Nanda Mahārāja was a big protector of cows, and Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, as the most beloved son of Nanda Mahārāja, used to tend His father’s animals in the neighboring forest. By His personal example Lord Kṛṣṇa wanted to teach us the value of protecting cows.”</p>
<p>Śrīla Prabhupāda (Light of the Bhāgavata, Text 9)</p>
<p>Over the last few years, we have seen a huge increase in the awareness of food production, animal husbandry and its links to ecology and changes in our planetary climate. There has been an exponential rise in the veganism movement, and a greater spotlight has been placed on our ISKCON movement regarding cow protection.</p>
<p>Here at Bhaktivedanta Manor we understand there is a sense of urgency regarding this topic. It was Śrīla Prabhupāda’s great desire to show the world the meaning of cow protection through our movement and be a beacon of inspiration with regards to simple living and high thinking. With that in mind, Bhaktivedanta Manor is mobilizing. The temple is increasing its cow protection preaching efforts alongside planning for an increase in goshala herd size to meet its ahimsa dairy requirements. On top of that, there has been a clear shift towards education as Bhaktivedanta Manor will soon be formally teaching students about cow protection through a six-week introductory course.</p>
<p>The ultimate and ideal goal of cow protection preaching efforts must be to inspire people to take up the responsibility of caring for cows themselves. As the grips of Kaliyuga strengthen, there is an immediate need for devotees to take up this common Vaisnava duty. Perhaps now is time to turn our attention towards thinking practically about developing small cow sanctuary projects up and down the country, wherever you are. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s cow protection vision and the teachings of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam regarding Varṇāśrama is not something to just think of as a utopian but unrealistic way of life. We must see it as sublime and something to actively strive towards. We often keep cow figurines as altar paraphernalia and we heartwarmingly think of the Lord’s sweet pastimes in Vṛndāvana with His cows. This remembrance of Lord Kṛṣṇa is integral for our spiritual development and now is the time to transform this remembrance into action for the descendants of Surabhi.</p>
<p>We learn that the killing of cows is hugely detrimental to the peaceful progression of society and the karmic reactions from such a gross activity is immense. Through reading scriptures such as the Bhagavad-Gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, we know cows need to be protected and cared for if society is to be spiritually uplifted.</p>
<p>The concern here is that your nearest temple that has a Goshala can only do so much for the cause before reaching its own saturation point. It is likely that their cow shed facilities and pasturing land have reached full capacity and thus no more cows can be accommodated for. It is also highly likely that the temple’s finances and available manpower may not stretch far enough to extend their cow protection program. The temple management team could also be focusing their efforts on other vital fronts, such as prasadam and book distribution.</p>
<p>So a change in culture needs to happen swiftly if we are to see more cows and bulls being saved from senseless slaughter. In the Western world it has long been seen as a temple’s responsibility to look after cows but as we study the topic of cow protection further, we know that this belief is not correct. The dharmic duty of caring for cows is common to all and must be adopted by all.</p>
<p>The majority of us have been conditioned to accept a fast-paced city life as opposed to an agrarian one. It is clear that alongside structured education on the topic of cow protection, devotees leading more self-sufficient lifestyles will be an important factor in the development of this essential part of our dharma. With the proper knowledge, land and community support, devotee families can lead more self-sufficient lifestyles where some fruits and vegetables can be produced, and a cow or two can live peacefully and in harmony with the family. There is an increasing culture of taking up smallholdings just outside of the big cities, particularly amongst non-devotees looking to untangle from the rat race. However, it is the Vaisnavas that are primed to lead this emerging smallholding culture with Vedic knowledge as the wind in their sails. As we become more conscious of our lifestyle choices and more knowledgeable on the topic of sustainability, smallholdings should be taught about and encouraged amongst our Krishna Conscious communities. For those who do decide to give such a lifestyle a chance, the congregational community should rally around them to provide support and encouragement; this will be most important. Over time we may become inspired by those who are successfully living a simpler lifestyle in harmony with cows that it sparks the fire in others to do the same.</p>
<p>Knowledge is no doubt the key to unlock the potential within us to take positive steps forward in this mission of cow protection and over time, our temples will lead the way in providing structured and methodological education on this topic. We are lucky to have an active GBC department focused on the subject of cow protection and agriculture, and we are certainly progressing in the right direction. Hare Krishna!</p>
<p>“Human society needs only sufficient grain and sufficient cows to solve its economic problems. All other things but these two are artificial necessities created by man to kill his valuable life at the human level and waste his time in things which are not needed.”</p>
<p>Śrīla Prabhupāda (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, 3.2.29, Purport.)<br /> <br /> <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=85234">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=85234</a></p></div>The Global Importance of Cow Protection by Vrisabha dashttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/the-global-importance-of-cow-protection-by-vrisabha-das2020-04-18T12:50:40.000Z2020-04-18T12:50:40.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}4455053590,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="450" alt="4455053590?profile=RESIZE_584x" /></p>
<p>OM SRI SURABHYAI NAMAH. OM SRI GURAVE NAMAH!</p>
<p>Dear devotees,</p>
<p>Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!</p>
<p>About ten years ago I made a PowerPoint presentation on cow protection. In the meantime, I have got many more insights into the matter. Therefore, I have considerably upgraded and enriched my previous work.</p>
<p>I have spent A LOT of time to research the internet and various books dealing with the topic. This presentation targets a wide audience to achieve various purposes:</p>
<p>1) to develop an awareness of spiritual and material importance of the cow for the whole of humanity,</p>
<p>2) to significantly reduce cruelty on animals (especially cows) in the world,</p>
<p>3) to educate people about harmful health consequences related to industrial dairy and meat-eating diet,</p>
<p>4) to educate people about the dire consequences of industrial cow husbandry on bio-ecological systems of our planet and world economy,</p>
<p>5) to inspire people to become vegetarians,</p>
<p>6) to point out the importance and values of ISKCON’s spiritual and traditional heritage in relation to cow protection, thus recognising ISKCON as one of the leading organisations that can bring about significant positive changes in human society.</p>
<p>While viewing this presentation (in pdf format) you will inevitably come to the conclusion that I have run into a conflicting situation while glorifying the importance of raw milk and cruelty-free dairy products on one side, and indicating the values of the vegan diet on the other side. At the very end of the presentation, I recommended the viewers to watch three brilliant documentary movies (‘What you eat – matters’, ‘Forks over knives’ and ‘The game changers’); the reason being that they provide extremely convincing and scientific evidence of natural values of a meat-free diet, and expose all the harms lurking in the animal protein-based diet. However, the movies are based on vegan-based viewpoint, lacking information on the vast difference between industrially produced dairy products and cruelty-free (lovingly and spiritually) produced dairy products. In spite of lacking such information, I strongly recommend these three movies as I consider much more beneficial that the meat-eating people become vegans, rather than remaining meat-eaters.</p>
<p>I am well aware that my presentation (140 slides) “The global importance of cow protection” is not perfect, but still, I consider it one of the best presentations on cow protection that ISKCON-affiliated people have ever made. Please find the presentation in the attached file. Should you have any suggestions I will take them into consideration and make necessary amendments where needed.</p>
<p>*Also, at the end of the presentation I can advertise your cow protection project.* Thus, you would be able to use this presentation for your online advertisement, public slide-show preaching or simply as an informative PDF booklet that can easily be shared via social networks. If you are happy with the presentation as it is now, please feel free to make it downloadable from your website.</p>
<p>If you want me to add your advertisement, please send me one or two slides (in ppt format), so I can insert them into the presentation. Alternatively, let me know what information you want me to appear in your advertisement.</p>
<p>*I am not asking for any financial reward for my service.* My reward it the fact that the word (Srila Prabhupada’s teachings on cow protection) will spread around.</p>
<p>I am offering this project to our beloved Srila Prabhupada who taught us all the values and benefits of Vedic cow protection and its spiritual significance.</p>
<p>This presentation has been made by the blessings of my spiritual master HH. Smita-Krishna Swami.</p>
<p>Your servant, Vrisabha das vpd108@gmail.com</p>
<p><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A4J-bfNAVjnokjesQ5XB1FmAnrBR_sdz/view?usp=sharing_eip&ts=5e95b62a">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A4J-bfNAVjnokjesQ5XB1FmAnrBR_sdz/view?usp=sharing_eip&ts=5e95b62a</a><br /> <br /> <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=84637">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=84637</a></p></div>Guidelines for Cow Protection from the Mahabharatahttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/guidelines-for-cow-protection-from-the-mahabharata-12019-11-21T10:15:46.000Z2019-11-21T10:15:46.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3723338245,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="300" alt="3723338245?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></p>
<p>1. One should never kick cows, for one who does so will have to suffer in hell for a hundred lives. Cows are the abode of all auspiciousness. For this reason, they always deserve worship.</p>
<p>2. Bullocks should never be struck harshly with a goad or whip.</p>
<p>3. One should not proceed through the midst of cows.</p>
<p>4. When cows are grazing or lying down, one should not disturb them in any way.</p>
<p>5. When cows are thirsty and are refused water [ because a person is obstructing their access to a water tank or river ] merely by glancing at such a person a cow will create great difficulties for him along with all his relatives and friends. What creatures can be more sacred than cows, whose very dung is purifying?</p>
<p>6. That man who, before eating himself, gives everyday for a year a handful of grass to a cow belonging to another person, is regarded as undergoing a vow or observance which bestows the fruition of his every wish. Such a person acquires children, fame, wealth and prosperity and dispels all evils.</p>
<p>7. The cow should never be given away for slaughter.</p>
<p>8. A bull or bullock can be used for ploughing, but a cow should never be used to till the soil.</p>
<p>9. A cow should not be given to an atheist.</p>
<p>10. One should not, even in thought, injure a cow. One should always show compassion towards cows.</p>
<p>11. One should never show disregard for cows in any way.</p>
<p>12. One should never cast one’s urine, excreta and other secretions on cow dung.</p>
<p>13. One should never obstruct cows in any way.</p>
<p>14. One should not disrespect cow dung. The circular marks in the cow dung represent Lord Visnu’s chakra.</p>
<p>15. He who, without being checked by the restraints of the scriptures, sells a cow for slaughter, kills a cow, or eats the flesh of a cow, or for the sake of money causes a person to kill cows, rots in hell for as many years as there are hairs on the body of the slain cow.</p>
<p>[ Mahabharata, Anusasana Parva ]</p>
<p><strong>Source: </strong><a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=72865">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=72865</a></p></div>Devotee Farmers Discuss Ahimsa Milk Logistics at Czech Farm Conferencehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/devotee-farmers-discuss-ahimsa-milk-logistics-at-czech-farm-confe2019-10-17T11:47:29.000Z2019-10-17T11:47:29.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:justify;"><strong><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3666504266,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="600" alt="3666504266?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>By Lalitanatha dasa</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">For the past 13 years ISKCON’s Ministry for Cow Protection and Agriculture (IMCPA) has organized a European conference for ISKCON farmers and anyone interested in agriculture and cow protection. The idea is to create networks and unite everyone towards Srila Prabhupada’s goals for cow protection and simple living. This year, 2019, the conference was hosted at the Krishna Dvur community in the Czech Republic between the 30th of August and the 1st of September. The participants were made up of the European regional representatives of the Ministry and many other key players with a committed interest in the realms of agriculture, cow protection, horticulture and rural development. </p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Everyone was treated to an exciting weekend in this ideal rural setting southeast of Prague where ISKCON has been running its farm community since 1977. About a dozen devotees directly live on or spend their day on the farm itself while another 80 devotees reside in the surrounding area and take part in the activities of the community including the Deity worship, festivals and spiritual programs. </p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The participants were given a guided tour of the farm to its 40 hectars of fields of which 20 hectares are arable and 20 hectares are pasture and grass lands, and the barns, where 16 cows and bulls are being cared for. Premadatta Das told how the cows are mostly Jersey with some Hungarian grey oxen. Two cows are currently giving 30 litres of milk per day between them. This is used by the temple from which they make butter, cheese and yogurt; milk products from outside are only bought during festivals.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The cows are rotationally grazed on 1 hectare strips which are changed about every 15 days. The farm grows its own hay and produces 100 round bales on 10 hectares of land plus their own straw for bedding (around 20 round bales per hectare). Each year the devotees also grow 25 tonnes of grains such as wheat, spelt, rye, buckwheat and peas; in addition there are also potatoes. The arable work follows a low till system where a covering crop is always planted to avoid bare land. The rotation systems consists of peas, wheat, rye and buckwheat. </p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Next, Radhavallabha Das told about the vegetable growing in the vegetable garden of 500m2 which yields 1.5 to 2 tonnes of vegetables per year. This very productive patch of land only takes 300 hours of work per year and supplies the temple kitchen with most of its needed produce. Radhavallabha went on to tell how they specialize in drought resistant vegetables or at least grow the crops with little irrigation. Mulching plays an important part of their system to keep in moisture.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The tour also included a visit to the flour mill which has become a big business for the farm. In addition to the grain grown on the farm, 75 tonnes is purchased from outside to be made into flours and other ground products. Some of it is used in the bakery and the temple kitchen but most is sold at the market. The mill business is a main source of income for the farm. Five stone mills including the largest stone mill anywhere in middle Europe that can grind 500 kg in one hour are being run by two devotees who have milling and packing the flour as their full-time services. The devotees are producing quality flour which is in high demand around Czech. The bran left over from the milling business is fed to the cows. </p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Over the years the project has also developed other businesses so they are not dependent on donations. A bakery is producing a variety of products that are sold at farm markets as well as at the farm’s two restaurants, one in Prague and one in a local nearby town that the devotees are operating. There is also a honey production of about 1000 kgs per year and a fruit plantation that is planned to increase to 150 to 200 fruit trees. </p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">On winding up the tour, Varnasrama Das, temple president of Krishna Dvur, recognized that he doesn’t find the project complete; most of the labour in the fields is done with tractors and machinery. Much is to improve in order to come to the actual standard of self-sufficiency and reliance on the products of the cows and the land and the work of the oxen. This requires more devotees, however, so for now the farm is simply maintaining a stable situation which can then be upgraded whenever more devotees are ready to be part of the project. </p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">*** </p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Aside from relishing the scenery and quietude of the farm and the wonderful late-summer weather that graced the conference, the about 30 participants had talks on different farm related topics. At the opening session Kalakantha Das, ISKCON’s minister for cow protection and agriculture, gave an overview of the work of the international ministry. He told how the continental farm conferences that started in Europe have been adopted in other parts of the world such as the USA, South America, India, Ukraine and the Baltic Region and Russia. Africa and Australasia will also soon hold such farm conferences.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">An important GBC resolution from this year was especially the focus of a lot discussion:</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Resolved: By Janmastami 2022 all ISKCON centers should develop a plan whereby all milk and milk products – butter, ghee, yogurt etc. – offered to the Deities are procured from protected cows. The centers may approach the International Ministry of Cow Protection for assistance.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The discussion targeted two audiences – the producers/farmers and the consumers/temples/devotees. As far as the farmers are concerned, Premarasa Das, who himself is heading up New Mayapur, a big farm community in Ukraine, explained how to establish good business plans for cow protection. Of course, devotees are not motivated by commercial interest. Still a business plan is needed to help avoid mistakes and make the service more efficient. Thus it is a plan for Krishna and the devotees and how to serve the cows and Krishna better. </p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Cow protection means a plan for life. Things needed to be considered include a description of the project with clear goals and purposes, sources of funding (voluntary donations or/and income from selling products), the schedule of the steps of the project, defining all the parameters such as land and cows, understanding the production process, the required manpower, equipment needs, legal issues, market possibilities, risk analysis, worst case scenarios and much more. </p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">He also informed that as part of the mission in ensuring that cow protection is conducted with a long term view of sustainability the Ministry had the following resolution passed with the GBC:</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Resolved: In order to start a cow protection project that will be accredited within ISKCON and accepted as an ISKCON supported project, a “Cow Protection Certificate of Readiness” needs to be obtained.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">In Ukraine they are 100 km from the nearest big market. They decided that berries are a very effective use of land. They are organic and have a premium in the European market. The berries are picked, preserved by refrigeration and freezing and shipped to Europe. </p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Next, Syamasundara Das from the UK had an exercise with the participants to understand how much milk is required to cover the yearly needs of Deities at an ISKCON temple or centre. The group went through the logical steps to understand how dairy product needs are calculated into required milk yields and herd size of cows. For instance, if a Deity department requires 5 kg of ghee every week it becomes 260 kg per year. If 3% of the milk is pure butterfat, then 8.667 litres of milk are required to supply 260 kg ghee. If it is assumed that a cow will give 10.000 liters of milk over 4 years for each calf she bears, then about four actively milking cows will be required to supply this particular Deity department.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">However, for the farmers to supply like this, the second audience, namely the consumers, i.e. temples and devotees, must pay a proper price for the milk. That was next discussed. A proper price may be somewhere around 5 euros per litre. This means that temples or whoever the consumers are will have to understand the value of milk. Of course, the first reaction will often be, ”But this is too expensive! In the stores you can get organic milk for one or one and half euro for one litre.” One participant brought up the point that this all a matter of a mental adjustment. If we are convinced about the value of milk then a proper price is not a problem. An example is the price that people are willing to pay for alcohol such as whiskey or vodka. A price for less than a litre of 20, 30 or 50 euros is not unusual – and that is for something that is harmful, gives you headaches and basically makes you unhappy and miserable! Still, some people are convinced of the value and therefore ready to pay such an exorbitant price. So what is the problem with paying a proper price for milk which is sattvic, healthy, produces fine brain tissue and makes one spiritually inclined? Milk is dharma in a liquid form; according to Vedic logic, artha or wealth comes from protecting dharma, so why should one be afraid of bankruptcy by paying a proper price for milk and supporting dharma?</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Sitarama Das from the UK then shared his experiences with running an actual ahimsa dairy farm. He outlined the starting and funding of the ahimsa dairy foundation. Initially he was working with an existing organic dairy farm but gradually took steps to be self-sustaining with his own land and own management system. Now he and the devotees of the Ahimsa Foundation have 48 acres of land in the village of Wing in Midengland near Leicester. A further 24 acres are being rented with an option to buy in 18 months. </p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">It was a big endeavor to raise the funds to buy the farm. At first the devotees tried to get a bank loan, but as the bank wanted the cows as collateral Sitarama did not want to risk the cows so he preferred to loan from private individuals. Some of the funds were also provided by supporters on the promise of receiving a return in the form of milk in the future. Now the farm is run by milk sales that pay for the running operation whereas membership donations are used to pay back the loans and improve the infrastructure and development of the project which is a practical proof of how it is feasible to run a farm centered on the protection of cows. </p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Supplying milk from protected cows took up ninety percent of the discussion. But other presentations were also there. Devotees from New Vraja Dhama in Hungary explained how they are exploring self-sufficiency in cloth-making. They are growing flax and hemp and making material from it and also planning to get sheep for wool. At the conclusion of the conference Lalitanatha Dasa from Denmark gave a presentation about urban farming, making the point that farming, small-scale horticulture and self-sufficiency the whole year around with vegetables, fruits and herbs are not limited to big farm projects in rural areas but is achievable for anyone with even a few square meters plot of land.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">At the conclusion the participants voted on the conference for next year. An overwhelming majority took up Premarasa Das offer to host the conference in Ukraine in 2020. Thus the European farm conference in 2020 will be held at the New Mayapur Ukrainian farm.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Source: </strong><a href="https://iskconnews.org/devotee-farmers-discuss-ahimsa-milk-logistics-at-czech-farm-conference,7118/">https://iskconnews.org/devotee-farmers-discuss-ahimsa-milk-logistics-at-czech-farm-conference,7118/</a></p></div>European Farm Conference 2019https://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/european-farm-conference-20192019-10-11T08:11:42.000Z2019-10-11T08:11:42.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img style="height:390px;width:600px;" src="https://i.imgur.com/9ElZ8L6.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>By Lalitanatha dasa</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">For the past 13 years ISKCON’s Ministry for Cow Protection and Agriculture (IMCPA) has organized a European conference for ISKCON farmers and anyone interested in agriculture and cow protection. The idea is to create networks and unite everyone towards Srila Prabhupada’s goals for cow protection and simple living. This year, 2019, the conference was hosted at the Krishna Dvur community in the Czech Republic between the 30th of August and the 1st of September. The participants were made up of the European regional representatives of the Ministry and many other key players with a committed interest in the realms of agriculture, cow protection, horticulture and rural development.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Everyone was treated to an exciting weekend in this ideal rural setting southeast of Prague where ISKCON has been running its farm community since 1977. About a dozen devotees directly live on or spend their day on the farm itself while another 80 devotees reside in the surrounding area and take part in the activities of the community including the Deity worship, festivals and spiritual programmes.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The participants were given a guided tour of the farm to its 40 hectars of fields of which 20 hectares are arable and 20 hectares are pasture and grass lands, and the barns, where 16 cows and bulls are being cared for. Premadatta Prabhu told how the cows are mostly Jersey with some Hungarian grey oxen. Two cows are currently giving 30 litres of milk per day between them. This is used by the temple from which they make butter, cheese and yogurt; milk products from outside are only bought during festivals.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The cows are rotationally grazed on 1 hectare strips which are changed about every 15 days. The farm grows its own hay and produces 100 round bales on 10 hectares of land plus their own straw for bedding (around 20 round bales per hectare). Each year the devotees also grow 25 tonnes of grains such as wheat, spelt, rye, buckwheat and peas; in addition there are also potatoes. The arable work follows a low till system where a covering crop is always planted to avoid bare land. The rotation systems consists of peas, wheat, rye and buckwheat.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Next, Radhavallabha Prabhu told about the vegetable growing in the vegetable garden of 500m2 which yields 1.5 to 2 tonnes of vegetables per year. This very productive patch of land only takes 300 hours of work per year and supplies the temple kitchen with most of its needed produce. Radhavallabha went on to tell how they specialize in drought resistant vegetables or at least grow the crops with little irrigation. Mulching plays an important part of their system to keep in moisture.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The tour also included a visit to the flour mill which has become a big business for the farm. In addition to the grain grown on the farm, 75 tonnes is purchased from outside to be made into flours and other ground products. Some of it is used in the bakery and the temple kitchen but most is sold at the market. The mill business is a main source of income for the farm. Five stone mills including the largest stone mill anywhere in middle Europe that can grind 500 kg in one hour are being run by two devotees who have milling and packing the flour as their full-time services. The devotees are producing quality flour which is in high demand around Czech. The bran left over from the milling business is fed to the cows.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Over the years the project has also developed other businesses so they are not dependent on donations. A bakery is producing a variety of products that are sold at farm markets as well as at the farm’s two restaurants, one in Prague and one in a local nearby town that the devotees are operating. There is also a honey production of about 1000 kgs per year and a fruit plantation that is planned to increase to 150 to 200 fruit trees.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">On winding up the tour, Varnasrama Prabhu, temple president of Krishna Dvur, recognized that he doesn’t find the project complete; most of the labour in the fields is done with tractors and machinery. Much is to improve in order to come to the actual standard of self-sufficiency and reliance on the products of the cows and the land and the work of the oxen. This requires more devotees, however, so for now the farm is simply maintaining a stable situation which can then be upgraded whenever more devotees are ready to be part of the project.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Aside from relishing the scenery and quietude of the farm and the wonderful late-summer weather that graced the conference, the about 30 participants had talks on different farm related topics. At the opening session Kalakantha Prabhu, ISKCON’s minister for cow protection and agriculture, gave an overview of the work of the international ministry. He told how the continental farm conferences that started in Europe have been adopted in other parts of the world such as the USA, South America, India, Ukraine and the Baltic Region and Russia. Africa and Australasia will also soon hold such farm conferences.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">An important GBC resolution from this year was especially the focus of a lot discussion:</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Resolved: By Janmastami 2022 all ISKCON centres should develop a plan whereby all milk and milk products – butter, ghee, yogurt etc . – offered to the Deities are procured from protected cows. The centres may approach the International Ministry of Cow Protection for assistance.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The discussion targeted two audiences – the producers/farmers and the consumers/temples/devotees. As far as the farmers are concerned, Premarasa Prabhu who himself is heading up New Mayapur, a big farm community in Ukraine, explained how to establish good business plans for cow protection. Of course, devotees are not motivated by commercial interest. Still a business plan is needed to help avoid mistakes and make the service more efficient. Thus it is a plan for Krishna and the devotees and how to serve the cows and Krishna better.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Cow protection means a plan for life. Things needed to be considered include a description of the project with clear goals and purposes, sources of funding (voluntary donations or/and income from selling products), the schedule of the steps of the project, defining all the parameters such as land and cows, understanding the production process, the required manpower, equipment needs, legal issues, market possibilities, risk analysis, worst case scenarios and much more.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">He also informed that as part of the mission in ensuring that cow protection is conducted with a long term view of sustainability the Ministry had the following resolution passed with the GBC:</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Resolved: In order to start a cow protection project that will be accredited within ISKCON and accepted as an ISKCON supported project, a “Cow Protection Certificate of Readiness” needs to be obtained.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">In Ukraine they are 100 km from the nearest big market. They decided that berries are a very effective use of land. They are organic and have a premium in the European market. The berries are picked, preserved by refrigeration and freezing and shipped to Europe.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Next Syamasundara Prabhu from the UK had an exercise with the participants to understand how much milk is required to cover the yearly needs of Deities at an ISKCON temple or centre. The group went through the logical steps to understand how dairy product needs are calculated into required milk yields and herd size of cows. For instance, if a Deity department requires 5 kg of ghee every week it becomes 260 kg per year. If 3 procent of the milk is pure butterfat, then 8.667 litres of milk are required to supply 260 kg ghee. If it is assumed that a cow will give 10.000 liters of milk over 4 years for each calf she bears, then about four actively milking cows will be required to supply this particular Deity department.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">However, for the farmers to supply like this, the second audience, namely the consumers, i.e. temples and devotees, must pay a proper price for the milk. That was next discussed. A proper price may be somewhere around 5 euros per litre. This means that temples or whoever the consumers are will have to understand the value of milk. Of course, the first reaction will often be, ”But this is too expensive! In the stores you can get organic milk for one or one and half euro for one litre.” One participant brought up the point that this all a matter of a mental adjustment. If we are convinced about the value of milk then a proper price is not a problem. An example is the price that people are willing to pay for alcohol such as whiskey or vodka. A price for less than a litre of 20, 30 or 50 euros is not unusual – and that is for something that is harmful, gives you headaches and basically makes you unhappy and miserable! Still, some people are convinced of the value and therefore ready to pay such an exorbitant price. So what is the problem with paying a proper price for milk which is sattvic, healthy, produces fine brain tissue and makes one spiritually inclined? Milk is dharma in a liquid form; according to Vedic logic, artha or wealth comes from protecting dharma, so why should one be afraid of bankruptcy by paying a proper price for milk and supporting dharma?</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Sitarama Prabhu from the UK then shared his experiences with running an actual ahimsa dairy farm. He outlined the starting and funding of the ahimsa dairy foundation. Initially he was working with an existing organic dairy farm but gradually took steps to be self-sustaining with his own land and own management system. Now he and the devotees of the Ahimsa Foundation have 48 acres of land in the village of Wing in Midengland near Leicester. A further 24 acres are being rented with an option to buy in 18 months.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">It was a big endeavour to raise the funds to buy the farm. At first the devotees tried to get a bank loan, but as the bank wanted the cows as collateral Sitarama did not want to risk the cows so he preferred to loan from private individuals. Some of the funds were also provided by supporters on the promise of receiving a return in the form of milk in the future. Now the farm is run by milk sales that pay for the running operation whereas membership donations are used to pay back the loans and improve the infrastructure and development of the project which is a practical proof of how it is feasible to run a farm centered on the protection of cows.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Supplying milk from protected cows took up ninety percent of the discussion. But other presentations were also there. Devotees from New Vraja Dhama in Hungary explained how they are exploring self-sufficiency in cloth-making. They are growing flax and hemp and making material from it and also planning to get sheep for wool. At the conclusion of the conference Lalitanatha Dasa from Denmark gave a presentation about urban farming, making the point that farming, small-scale horticulture and self-suffiency the whole year around with vegetables, fruits and herbs are not limited to big farm projects in rural areas but is achievable for anyone with even a few square meters plot of land.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">At the conclusion the participants voted on the conference for next year. An overwhelming majority took up Premarasa Prabhus offer to host the conference in Ukraine in 2020. Thus the European farm conference in 2020 will be held at the New Mayapur Ukrainian farm.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=79043">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=79043</a></p></div>