News Reports
Cows Protection in Winter
Winter is a prime time for diseases to flourish in cows. Cows have no difficulty handling snow, but rain is the biggest enemy of cows during winter. A goshala provides excellent protection against excessive wetness, but it must be well-ventilated to avoid trapping ammonia which can lead to respiratory problems like pneumonia.
Cows barns need heat in the winter. Our neighbouring Govardhana Goshala recently insulated the barn, keeping in body heat, but this prevents fresh air from entering. There are plans to build an external wood stove and to pump heat (via water pipes) into the goshala.
Foot health is also an issue in winter. Cows on pasture typically have fewer foot problems than cows housed on concrete. However, the goshala has a concrete floor and the cows spend most of the day inside in the winter.
It is bad for health to drink cold water on cold days. Drinking Water in…
Winter Challenges
December is dark, cold and sometimes snowy. We are warm and dry thanks to the forest and the abundant trees here. We are chopping down dead trees for firewood and chopping tree branches into wood chips used for various purposes. At the Govardhana Goshala wood chips are used keep the cow sleeping area and grounds dry and clean. The wood chips are also put on icy and slippery walkways at our homes, school and temple.
By chipping up branches and fallen tree pieces, we are helping prevent forest fires by keeping the forest free of combustible debris. A fire would "run" through cleared areas so quickly that trees will not catch on fire, causing a major blaze. Cleaning up the forest debris also clears paths for cows to graze.
Our winters can be either warm or cold depending on currents in the pacific ocean and polar jet streams. We are 400 km from the ocean and sometimes our…
Preparing for Winter
Winter came early covering us with snow in early November. Crystal clear and clean snow is beautiful, but signals a time to shift water use patterns. Freezing water damages pipelines and water hydrants. Since no one is living in the Vedic Eco Village this winter, the water was drained out of our system because a deep freeze can reach the pipelines 6 feet below. Emptying the water prevents frozen water lines, which only thaw in spring when the warm sun rays deeply penetrate the earth.
Days before the freeze began, we harvested all our crops and stored them in peat moss. This was a good year for carrots and we also grew the usual beets, squash potatoes for winter eating. We keep them in our root cellars, preserving them until spring and sometimes early next summer. Inside the greenhouse, the parsley is still alive and growing.
"Actually, everyone should be engaged to produce food…
Go Puja and Gopastami at Govardhan Goshala
We wrapped up a summer full of activity and the Eco Village boundaries are taking shape. The south side colonial fence is complete. The gate for the east entrance has been built and is currently lying on the ground until we can get an machine to lift it into place. The gate will be about 4 meters high.
This month we celebrate both Go Puja and Gopastami at the Govardhana Goshala In Saranagati Village. On both occasions, Surabhi cow was nicely decorated and sumptuously fed. Gopastami is the coming-of-age celebration when Nanda Maharaja gave Krishna the responsibility for taking care of the cows. Krishna had previously been taking care of the calves.
At the Govardhana Goshala, the zebu ox have been regularly put into a yoke and pulling a cart. With the guidance of Daivata and Yoginath prabhu, they have been moving items like manure from the Goshala to gardens. They also hauled logs…
Clearing the forest and preparing for cows
As we clear through the forest, the location of goshala is becoming more evident. The goshala will be in the north west corner and the entrance should face the north east, with sufficient sunlight and good ventilation. Cows do not like dark. Darkness does not allow good health. Cows love airy spacious inviting surroundings. As per Vedic wisdom, Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi stays in place which is clean, hygienic and attractive.
Forest materials are being moved into different location. On road and pathways, the forest floor (a.k.a. duff) is being moved into the garden areas and orchard for mulching trees. Fallen tree branches are being chipped up and put onto the raja marg and pathways.
The heat wave continues, with temperatures 10 degrees hotter than normal and no rain in sight. The fire north of us continues to grow, 2 months after it began.
"Why does Krsna go to the forest?…