ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 02/16/2020

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes cow protection, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON New Vrindaban’s Founder-Acharya.

Participating Directors: Anuttama (partial attendance), Jamuna Jivani (board secretary), Makara (chair), Ranaka, and Vraja

Participating Advisors: Chaitanya Mangala, Ishana, and Lalita Gopi

1. Ranaka’s Monthly Report

• Lalita Gopi (Temple Barn)
  • Currently milking nine cows who are giving 23 gal of milk daily: Surabhi, Sita, Vamsika, Jaya Radhe, Cintamani, Parijata, Subhadra, Gopikatyayani, and Sriya.
  • Gopikatyayani gave birth to a heifer named Vaisnavi on January 26th.
  • A total of six calves are in the barn: Narada, Dhruva, Prahlad, Yasoda,   Satyabhama, and Vaisnavi.
  • Anandavidya is making 30 lb of butter and 10 gal of yogurt weekly, he has also been keeping up with the cleaning and maintenance.
  • Soil samples have been taken from the pasture and have been sent to the WVU extension center in Morgantown (who have offered to help with pasture improvements)
  • Lalita attended an Amish farming conference, a department of agriculture dairy meeting, and a soil lecture from the WVU extension center.
  • Nila Govinda continues to help in the barn on weekends.
  • Due to the complications of managing nine cows in the goshala, Subhadra is being dried off so she can be rebred.
• Ray
  • Moved hay to Temple Barn and Nandagram on a weekly basis.
  • Scraped the Valley Barn pads daily and tractor-scraped the aisles weekly
  • Stocked feed aisles with hay.
  • Moved topsoil into high tunnel #1.
  • Delivered 400 lb of potatoes to the temple kitchen in January.
• Caitanya Bhagavat (Nandagram)
  • Daily general cow care and ensuring the safety of the Nandagram herd.
  • Monitored the herd numbers – four cows, 10 steers, and one bull
  • Planned and arranged for favorable social dynamics among the cows.
  • Cow health checks, arranged and facilitated veterinarian visits.
  • Oversaw and supplemented Nandagram’s winter hay stock.
  • Planned upcoming herd accommodations.
  • Facilitated, monitored, and cared for planned cow pregnancies.
  • General barn maintenance.
  • Planned and cared for aging cows.
  • Made preparations for winter weather.
• Suchandra
  • Teaching Garden
    • Removed the stinging nettle around the fence and sprayed with organic weed killer.
    • Trimmed trees and weeded behind back fence and inside garden for laying plastic
    • Trimmed back the rose bushes and butterfly bushes
  • Community Garden
    • Pulled and stacked tomato poles in shed.
    • Pulled some marigold and zinnia plants.
    • Clipped zip ties on front and side part of fence and pulled some of the metal poles.
    • Removed some of the cages from tomato plants.
• Analaksita (Vidya’s & Valley High Tunnels)
  • Was assisted by Joseph, Noah, and Daniel
  • A grow station was set up with a heat mat and new sprouts were started at Vidya’s. 
  • Weeded, cleaned, and harvested Vidya’s high tunnel.
  •  The carnations were pruned back to prepare for spring.
  • The greenhouse at Vidya’s was set up with insulation, heat mats with temperature control box, and a heater.
  • The new sprouts were transplanted and put into the greenhouse.
  • Plants at Vidya’s have been covered with cloth when temperatures get too cold.
  • Seeding blueprints were made for all high tunnels and have been initiated for Vidya’s outdoor garden and the Teaching Garden.
  • High tunnel #1 was broad forked on both sides to allow the dirt to air out.
  • Topsoil was delivered to high tunnel #1, the dirt was then spread and leveled.
  • High tunnel #2 was tilled and more rocks were removed before the topsoil is delivered and spread.
  • All of the butternut squash grown last year and all of the frozen tomato puree from last year was delivered to the temple kitchen.
  • The conference room at the Valley Barn was set up for the garden department.
  • Began breaking down the Community Garden and delivered supplies to high tunnels #1 and 2.
  • Plants in high tunnel #1 were sprayed with neem oil.
  • Laid chicken wire and plastic on ground around high tunnel #1 for critter control.
  • January 2020 deliveries to the temple kitchen from Vidya’s high tunnels and high tunnel #1:
    • Beet bunches – 18
    • Kale bunches – 46
    • Lettuce heads – 15
    • Daikon bunches – 34
    • Spinach bunches – 27
    • Butternut squash – 60 lb
    • Carrots bunches – 4
    • Potatoes – 400 lb
• Ranaka
  • Bahulaban Barn apartment project: Met with Ishana and Mervin Yoder (Amish contractor) to discuss the overall project. Will report discussion to subcommittee to present a recommendation to the board.
  • Met with Ram Associates, CPAs on January 30 and we are now in the process of reviewing the first draft of annual review.
  • With the birth of Vaisnavi on January 26, the herd count is now 67.

2. Internal Funding Request: $3.5K for Gifts for On-Site Meetings

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to offer a token of appreciation to the INV, VA, and ECO-V staff and volunteers.

RESOLVED: The Board approved up to $3,500 as a budget for the purchase of appreciation gifts.

3. Offering for Srila Prabhupada

Lalita Gopi is considering writing the offering for Srila Prabhupada’s vyasa puja book, in conjunction with Anandavidya. She will require a few days to decide.

4. FY19 Finalized Operating Budget Approval

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to review ECO-V’s income and expenses for the previous year.

RESOLVED: The Board approves a finalized operating budget of $300K for 2019.

5. FY20 Operating Budget Approval

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to set projections of ECO-V’s income and expenses for the upcoming year.

RESOLVED: The Board approves an operating budget of $365K for 2020

6. On-site Meetings Planning Update

Vrsni, Gaurasakti, Vrindavan, and Ishana have formed a subcommittee. Rebecca and Julia will be facilitating the discussions. The topics to be covered include:

·  Wrapping up topics from previous meetings

·  Identifying roles and responsibilities

·  Measuring the effectiveness of onsite joint board meetings

·  Service conflicts

·  Land and housing committee update

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 01/12/2020

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes cow protection, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON New Vrindaban’s Founder-Acharya.

Participating Directors: Jamuna Jivani (board secretary), Makara (chair), Ranaka, and Vraja.

Participating Advisors: Chaitanya Mangala and Ishana

1. Ranaka’s Monthly Report

Ranaka reported on the previous month’s projects:

• Lalita Gopi (Temple Barn)
  • There are eight mothers giving milk; Sita, Sriya, Parijata, Cintamani, Vamsika, Jaya Radhe, Surabhi, and Subhadra.
  • There are five calves at the barn: Dhruva, Narada, Prahlad, Yasoda, and Satyabhama.
  • The cows are producing 21 gal of milk daily.
  • Anandavidya makes butter twice a week, approximately 30 lb in total. The temple kitchen does not use much yogurt this time of year so the extra milk is made into curd.
• Ray
  • Transported hay to Temple Barn and Nandagram on a weekly basis
  • Scraped the Valley Barn pads daily and tractor-scraped the aisles weekly
  • Stocked feed aisles with hay
  • Installed the side netting on high tunnel #2 at the Valley Barn, with assistance from Analaksita and Daniel
  • Delivered 300 lb of potatoes to the temple kitchen during December
  • Installed rebuilt injection pump on 5095M JD tractor
• Caitanya Bhagavat (Nandagram)
  • Daily general cow care for Nandagram herd.
  • Monitored the herd numbers – five cows, 10 steers, and one bull
  • Performed cow checks, and arranged and facilitated veterinarian visits
  • Regularly maintained the fence lines
• Suchandra (Community & Teaching Gardens)
  • Transferred tools from the Community Garden to the Valley Barn high tunnels.
  • Worked on breaking down the Community Garden so it can be cleared out.
  • Cleared the Teaching Garden
  • Ordered tomato seeds
• Analaksita (Vidya’s and Valley Barn’s High Tunnels)
  • Harvested and delivered lettuce, kale (smooth leaf and curly), daikon radishes, red radishes, beets, carrots, and spinach to the temple kitchen. 
  • Delivered 26 gal of organic tomato puree to the temple kitchen from last year’s harvest.
  • Made the seed order for all high tunnels and gardens. 
  • Cleared rocks from Valley Barn high tunnel #2.
  • Planned for increased ventilation for Valley Barn high tunnels.
  • Made planting plans for each garden and high tunnel. 
  • Cleared out the basement leading to the greenhouse at Vidya’s. Collected all planting and seeding trays, and organized them in the basement. 
  • Started cleaning the Teaching Garden. Did weed-eating, and cleared the fence line and pavilion to set up a picnic area. 
  • Vidya’s High Tunnel harvest totals for December 2019:
    • Carnations – 22
    • Beets bunches – 15
    • Kale bunches – 16
    • Lettuce heads – 9
    • Radish bunches – 14
    • Spinach bunches – 13

• Ranaka
  • Bahulaban Barn apartment project: The last 200’ of the 600’ leach field has been finished. Effluent pump needs installation. Also, we need to test the system and get completed paperwork from the state of West Virginia.
  • Worked with ECO-V subcommittee (Makara, Jamuna Jivani, Ishana, and Ranaka) on proposed layout of Bahulaban apartment project.
  • Worked on the end of fourth quarter and 2019 payroll reporting to IRS and West Viginia state tax department.
  • Prepared for audit with Ram Associates, CPAs scheduled for January 31st
  • With no births or deaths since the last report, the herd count remains at 66.

2. External Grant Request: $18K for Gopal’s Garden 2019-20 Academic Year

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to continue its support of a school in the New Vrindaban community. 

RESOLVED: The Board approves a grant of $18K for Gopal’s Garden 2019-20 school year.

3. Spring On-site Meetings

Ishana has volunteered for the joint board subcommittee to plan the weekend. The topics for the meetings will include housing, Krishna Ika’s proposal, ongoing community meetings, and ECO-V related topics/involvement. 

4. Lalita Gopi as Advisor

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to maintain a team of advisors.

RESOLVED: The Board appoints Lalita Gopi as an advisor for a one-year term. 

5. November On-site Meeting Review

The Board discussed a number of highlights from the weekend’s meetings:

• The focus of the weekend was on housing in New Vrindaban and Krsna Ika’s proposal for the Seven Temples project
• Much positive, forward-moving discussion was had on these topics
• The facilitators did a great job guiding the conversations
• Potential sites for a housing project were put forth by INV and ECO-V to the Land & Housing Committee. The committee was encouraged to bring a proposal for developing one of the sites to the boards. 
• The bamboo utensil gifts were appreciated by the attendees

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 12/01/2019

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes cow protection, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON New Vrindaban’s Founder-Acharya.

Participating Directors: Anuttama, Chaitanya Mangala, Jamuna Jivani (board secretary), Makara (chair), Ranaka, and Vraja.

1. Ranaka’s Monthly Report:

• Lalita Gopi (Temple Barn):
  • There are eight cows being milked: Surabhi, Subhadra, Parijata, Cintamani, Vamsika, Sita, Jaya Radhe, and now Sriya, who came fresh with a heifer calf named Yasoda on October 23.
  • Usa has been moved to Nandagram to spend time with the bull, Madhu. 
  • The milk production is between 18-20 gal/day. 
  • 20 gal of yogurt and 30 lb of butter are being produced weekly
  • Lalita has replaced some of the fence in the back of the barn and is finishing the painting of the back area. 
  • There are five calves at the barn. Three (Satyabhama, Puspavati, and Prahlad) have been weaned at six months or older. Prahlad has undergone castration and is doing well. The other two calves, Dhruva and Narada Muni, are still nursing. 
  • There are five unconfirmed expectant mothers. Gopikatyayani, Lalita, Usa, Lakshmi, and Gaurangi
  • There was a festival for the cows on Govardhana Puja. Nityodita gave a class for 10 children. The children made butter, which they used on their chapatis, and also cow dung patties. They helped milk the cows. There were also 30-40 other devotees in attendance.
  • Some ECO-V representatives participated in the North American ISKCON Farm Conference: Ranaka, Jamuna Jivani, Kalakantha, Ananda Vidya, and Lalita Gopi. Many volunteers helped in the barn that weekend. 
• Ray (General Farmhand):
  • Finished attaching the side netting on Valley High Tunnel #1.
  • Finished moving manure into and roto-tilled Valley High Tunnel #1.
  • Spread limestone behind Valley High Tunnels.
  • Cut, baled, and stacked an additional 25 second-cutting bales in the barns. 
    • total hay baled and stored in Valley Barn is now 492 first cutting and 147 second cutting 800-lb round bales 
    • total hay baled and stacked in Nandagram barn is 162 bales 
    • grand total is 801 bales produced in 2019.
  • Moved the 26 cows, consisting of 17 females and nine males, from Bahulaban to the Valley Barn. Caitanya Bhagavat assisted with loading the cow trailer.
  • Harvested potatoes from the Valley Bottom and the Community Garden with the help of Angie. 1,000 lb have been washed, bagged, and delivered to the temple kitchen. 125 lb have been sold to devotees, 700 lb of B-size potatoes were put in storage to be used as seed for next year’s planting, and 2,400 lb have been washed, bagged, and put into storage for delivery to the temple kitchen, as needed
  • Finished brush-hogging Nandagram pastures.
  • Winterized vacuum pump at Temple Barn by constructing an insulated box with heat.
• Caitanya Bhagavat (Nandagram & Bahulaban):
  • Daily general cow care and monitoring the herd numbers for the 17 Nandagram cows (six females, 10 males, and one bull), plus the 26 Bahulaban cows (17 females and nine males).
  • Daily feeding of hay to supplement the pasture for the Bahulaban cows.
  • Facilitated veterinarian visits.
  • Checked and maintained fence lines at Nandagram and Bahulaban.
  • Mowed and weed-whacked at Nandagram and Valley Barn.
  • Cleaned out the Nandagram barn for the winter with Tripada. 
  • Stocked the Nandagram feeding area barn with hay for the winter.
  • Assisted the veterinarian in castrating the bull, Prahlada.
  • Brush-hogged the Nandagram pastures.
  • Repaired the Valley Barn fence.
• Suchandra (Community & Teaching Garden):
  • Harvested dahlias, marigolds, zinnias, green peppers, jalapenos, tomatoes, green beans, and squash at the Teaching Garden and Community Garden
  • Pulled green beans, cucumber plants, squash plants, and the green beans that the deer had started eating from the Community Garden
  • Mowed and weeded the Teaching Garden weekly
  • Trimmed back lilies and pulled dead gladiola stems at the Teaching Garden
  • Produce and Flower totals for September and October for both gardens:
    • Zinnias – 105
    • Dahlias – 234
    • Big Marigolds – 5,370
    • Small Marigolds – 7,600
    • Bitter Melon – 6 
    • Bell Peppers – 3 lb
    • Hot Pepper – 53 lb
    • Tomatoes – 77 lb 
    • Green Beans – 45 lb
    • Butternut Squash – 103 lb
• Angie (Vidya’s Garden):
  • Vidya Garden Harvest Totals for the Month of September 2019:
    • Carnations – 85
    • Tuberoses – 25
    • Small Marigolds – 11,240
    • Large Marigolds – 15,805
    • Zinnias – 96
    • Sunflowers – 153
    • Asters – 110 
    • Banana Peppers – 18lb
    • Bell Peppers – 10 lbs.
    • Habenero Peppers – 3 lb 
    • Green Beans – 44.75 lb
    • Cherry Tomatoes – 2 lb
    • Small Tomatoes – 9 lb 
    • Large Tomatoes – 126.5 lb
    • Bitter Melon – 184 lb
    • Loki – 5 lb
  • Vidya Garden Harvest Totals for the Month of October 2019:
    • Zinnias – 10
    • Big Marigolds – 4,700
    • Small Marigolds – 6,138
    • Tuberoses – 165
    • Carnations – 87
    • Bittermelon – 79 lb 
    • Bell Peppers – 25 lb 
    • Banana Peppers – 5 lb
    • Habanero Peppers – 6 lb 
    • Tomatoes – 8 lb
    • Green Beans – 3 lb
    • Cherry Tomatoes – 2 lb
  • Valley High Tunnel #1
    • Transplanted (Transplants started by Elena in her greenhouse)
      • Marigolds – 288
      • Radish – 144
      • Lettuce – 144
      • Kale – 216
• Lila (Nandagram Garden):
  • Took up ground cover and pins
  • Removed tomato cages stored them for winter
  • Removed old plants
  • Readied beds for manure
  • Harvested and delivered to the temple kitchen during September and October (all quantities reported in pounds):
    • Zucchini – 14.5
    • Apple – 18.75
    • Green Beans – 40
    • Cherry Tomatoes – 31.25
    • Hot Pepper – 37.75
    • Tomatoes – 385.5
    • Butternut Squash – 308.5
• Ranaka (General Manager):
  • Valley High Tunnel #1 is fully complete and has had marigolds, radish, lettuce, and kale transplanted in it.
  • Progress has been made on the Bahulaban apartment project. Electric has been run into the building, along with water and sewer lines. 
  • Gintras rebuilt the exterior wall on the east side of the building which was in very bad condition.
  • A 14-year-old Jersey named Yamuna died on 10/30/19 of old age.
  • With the birth of Yasoda on 10/23/19 and the death of Yamuna on 10/30/19 the herd count remains at 66.

2. External Grant Request: $6K to ISKCON News

WHEREAS: ECO-V wishes to support ISKCON News with their ongoing coverage of ECO-V’s cow protection and local agriculture projects, as well as reporting on other similar efforts throughout ISKCON.

RESOLVED: The ECO-V board approves a grant up to $6,000 to ISKCON Communications for 2020.

3. Ishana Dasa as an Advisor

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to maintain a team of advisors.

RESOLVED: The Board designates Ishana dasa as an advisor for a one-year term. 

4. Olivia’s Resignation

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to acknowledge the contributions made by one of its directors.

RESOLVED: The Board accepts Olivia’s resignation as a board member.

The Board expresses their deep appreciation for her three years of service to ECO-V, and plan to send her a letter of appreciation. 

Here’s a link to the ECO-Vrindaban website.

For regular updates, please visit, like and follow the ECO-V Facebook page.

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 09/15/2019

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes cow protection, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON New Vrindaban’s Founder-Acharya.

Participating Directors: Anuttama, Chaitanya Mangala, Jamuna Jivani (board secretary), Makara (chair), Olivia (partial), Ranaka, and Vraja.

Participating Advisors: Allegra, Kripamaya (partial attendance).

1. Ranaka’s Monthly Report

Lalita Gopi (Temple Barn):

• There are eight cows being milked: Subhadra, Surabhi, Cintamani, Parijata, Sita, Vamsika, Jaya Radhe, and Usha.
• 23 gal of milk are produced daily.
• 20 gal of yogurt and 30 lb of butter are produced weekly.
• There are five calves (three males and two heifers): Prahlada, Satyabhama, Puspavati, Narada, and Dhruva.
• Lalita is repairing some fence and painting in the back of the barn pasture.
• Gaurangi was moved to the Valley Barn for breeding with Dharma, and Lakshmi was moved from his space.
• Sriya is starting to bag up at Nandagram.

Ray (General Farm Hand):

• Cleaned out the winter dung from the pasture.
• Rotovated the Valley high tunnels twice, bringing up more rocks to remove and place on the road behind the tunnels.
• Cut, baled, and stacked 95 second-cutting bales in the barns in addition to the 681 round bales of hay from last report. He was assisted by Daniel and Caitanya Bhagavat. Total hay baled and stored in Valley Barn is now 492 first-cutting and 122 second-cutting 800 lb round bales. Total hay baled and stacked in Nandagram barn is 162 bales giving us a grand total of 776 bales produced to date for 2019.
• Brush-hogged Bahulaban pastures.
• Repaired tractor and hay wagon tires along with the hay-baler string cutter.
• Moved five dump trailer loads of topsoil from the RVC lagoon area and four loads of manure from the Temple Barn to repair the construction area around the new Tulasi greenhouse next to the RVC temple.

Caitanya Bhagavat (Cow Care):

• Daily cow care at Nandagram and Bahulaban, included:
• monitoring the herd numbers for the 16 Nandagram cows (five females, 10 males, and one bull) and the 26 Bahulaban cows (17 females and nine males).
• Feeding hay to supplement the pasture of the Bahulaban cows as needed.
• facilitating veterinarian visits.
• Checked and maintained fence lines at Nandagram and Bahulaban.
• Mowed and weed-whacked at Nandagram and Valley Barn.
• With the assistance of Daniel, completed the new high-tensile fence at the milking barn pasture.
• Cleaned the dung out from the Nandagram barn for the winter.
• Stocked the Nandagram feeding area barn with hay for the winter.
• Vet check and special care for Madhu who has a skin issue
• Assisted in hay-making operation by raking hay and moving bales from the field and stacking in the Valley and Nandagram Barns.

Suchandra (Gardens):

Community Garden

• Watering, deadheading, weeding, and collecting produce and flowers
• Trimmed tomato plants
• Had a problem with deer this year. Suchandra made as many repairs to the fence as possible, but they were also getting in through the front gate when it was not latched properly. However, a good amount of produce was still able to be harvested.
• Had issues with water pressure in irrigation system

Teaching Garden

• Mowed and weeded weekly
• Laid mulch in walkways and beds to keep weeds away and make garden look nice.
• Produce and flower totals for the month of August for both gardens:
  • Green beans: 55.15 lb
  • Roma tomatoes: 44 lb
  • Heirloom tomatoes: 12 lb
  • Cherry tomatoes: 4.5 lb
  • Cucumbers: 141 lb
  • Green peppers: 11 lb
  • Jalapenos: 5.5 pounds
  • Zinnias: 260
  • Dahlias: 50
  • Sm. Marigolds: 4,200
  • Lg. Marigolds: 4,950

Vidya (Vidya’s Garden):

• Planted the high tunnel:
  • carnations
  • tube roses
• Elena started the marigolds in Ranaka’s greenhouse for planting in the tunnels
• Hundreds of sunflowers were grown and picked and are being used in vases along with zinnias for decorating Krishna and Srila Prabhupada at his Palace.
• All the Temple’s marigold needs are being provided by the gardens
• Constructed a system of chicken wire and ground cloth along with a fence around the high tunnel to keep out unwanted animals.
• Angie took the lead on preparing the high tunnels for planting
• Brooklyn and Joseph have been hired on to work with Angie.
• Vidya’s Garden harvest totals for the Month of August 2019:
  • Large marigolds: 7,372
  • Small marigold: 8,839
  • Gladiolas: 20
  • Green beans: 2 lb
  • Roma tomatoes: 35 lb
  • Tomatoes: 405 lb
  • Cherry tomatoes: 48 lb
  • Peppers: 16 lb
  • Bitter melon: 237 lb
  • Large sunflowers: 202
  • Small sunflowers: 48
  • Carnations: 30
  • Globes: 65
  • Zinnias: 353
  • Asters: 408
  • Basil: 16 bunches
  • Rosemary: 3 bunches
  • Sage: 3 bunches
  • Cilantro: 3 bunches
  • Loki: 10 lb

Lila (Nandagram Garden):

• Watered and removed groundcover and mulch in preparation for fall manure spreading
• Harvested and delivered to the temple kitchen during the month of August (all quantities reported in pounds):
  • Zucchini: 40.5
  • Summer Squash: 1.5
  • Apple: 71
  • Green Beans: 52
  • Cherry Tomatoes: 48
  • Hot Peppers: 9.5
  • Roma Tomatoes: 202.5
  • Large Tomatoes: 230.75
  • Butternut Squash: 25.25

Ranaka (General Manager):

• The two new valley high tunnels have both been roto-tilled. Angie is leading the effort to prepare the valley high tunnels by rock removal, bed preparation, and fencing. Tripada will bring skid-steer from Prabhupada’s Palace to help move composted manure into the tunnels for bed formation.
• Ranaka began working on the Bahulaban apartment project that was approved a year ago. He has been in contact with Tejo and Warren Harkness to plan and install the septic system.
• With no changes, the herd count remains at 66.

2. Farm Conference Update

Prior to the conference, Jamuna Jivani will act as the ECO-V delegate and travel to Gita Nagari for the focus group with the Amish. Ranaka will set up a time for a meeting with Syamsundar during the weekend of the conference. Kalakantha will send out the conference schedule.

3. Internal Funding Request: Up to $4K for Gifts & Plaques for November Meetings

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to acknowledge the dedication of key community members, as well as offer a token of appreciation to the INV and ECO-V staff and volunteers.

RESOLVED: The Board approves up to $4,000 as a budget for plaques and gifts to distribute during the November meeting weekend.

4. Bahulaban Apartment Update

Ranaka will begin putting in the septic system and electricity at the Bahulaban barn. The subcommittee will work on a design for the apartments to propose to the board.

5. ECO-V Properties Available For Sale

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wants to make available for sale certain properties in the New Vrindaban village.

RESOLVED: The Board approves the two properties connected to the 219 Coffield Lane parcel be made available for sale for $25K each. The standard covenants and restrictions associated with ECO-V property sales will apply. ECO-V will publicly post the properties, take offers from applicants, and make selections based on the responses it receives.

Here’s a link to the ECO-Vrindaban website.

For regular updates, please visit, like and follow the ECO-V Facebook page.

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 08/18/2019

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes cow protection, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON New Vrindaban’s Founder-Acharya.

Participating Directors: Anuttama, Chaitanya Mangala (chair), Jamuna Jivani (board secretary), Olivia, Ranaka, and Vraja.

Participating Advisors: Kripamaya (partial attendance)

1. Cow Fest Recap

Olivia reported some highlights from the Happy Cow Festival, held March 29, 2019:

• 100-150 guests, many of which were locals
• Demonstrations, including incense making
• Devananda played live music
• Some of the cows were decorated for the event
• Nityodita and Anandavidya told stories about the cows
• Kids’ activities

This was a positive first experience in planning and hosting this festival which the organizers can build on in future years.

Here’s a link to a Wheeling Intelligencer new article about the festival.

2. Ranaka’s Monthly Report:

Lalita Gopi (Temple Barn):

• There are eight cows being milked: Subhadra, Surabhi, Cintamani, Parijata, Sita, Vamsika, Jaya Radhe, and Usha
• 22 gal of milk are produced daily.
• 20 gal of yogurt and 30 lb of butter are produced weekly.
• There are five calves: Prahlada, Satyabhama, Puspavati, Narada, and Dhruva.
• Lakshmi was dried off and moved to the Valley Barn to be bred by Dharma.
• Anjali was dried off, retired, and moved to Bahulaban.
• Joshua Rama is helping with the milking

Ray (General Farm Hand):

• Hauled four dump trailer loads of aged manure from Nandagram to the Valley high tunnel site for a total of eight loads.
• Cut, baled, and stacked 243 bales in the barns. He was assisted by Joshua Rama, Daniel, and Caitanya Bhagavat. Total hay baled and stored in the Valley and Nandagram Barns is now 681 800-lb round bales.
• Brush-hogged various pastures.
• Removed and piled a build-up of manure from outside the Temple Barn into a staging area to be moved to a composting area at a later date.
• Made repairs to tractor and hay wagon tires along with repair work on the hay baler stringing system.

Caitanya Bhagavat (Cow Care):

• Daily cow care at Nandagram and Bahulaban, included:
• monitored the herd numbers
• health checks
• arranged and facilitated veterinarian visits
• checked and maintained fence lines
• mowed and weed-whacked at Nandagram and the Valley Barn
• Put up a new, high tensile fence at the milking barn pasture with assistance from Daniel.
• Cleared the vegetation circling the electric fence around the Nandagram bullpen.

Suchandra (Gardens):
Community Garden:

• cleared area for next planting of green beans
• trimmed tomatoes and sprayed with organic disease repellent
• harvested tomatoes, green beans, green/hot peppers, cucumbers, zinnias and marigolds.
• secured fencing to keep the deer out
• mowed and weed-whacked with help from others

Teaching Garden:

• Mowed and weeded every week.
• Planted last crop of marigolds.
• Laid the last of the mulch in rows and beds.
• Deadheaded marigolds and lilies
• Harvested green beans, tomatoes, gladiolas, and small marigolds.
• Harvested blueberries at Bahulaban for the second time. 5 lb were sold at Ratha Yatra.
• Harvested and delivered to the temple during July 2019:
• Zinnias – 52
• Lilies – 200
• Small marigolds – 1,700
• Large marigold – 828
• Gladiolas – 70
• Green pepper – 2
• Tomato – 20
• Hot pepper – 16
• Green beans – 66 lb

Vidya (Vidya’s Garden):

• Angie worked on the high tunnel
• 300-500 flowers were picked, three days per week
• Tomatoes were picked daily.
• Kale was used from the garden for smoothies at the promotion in Pittsburgh

Vidya’s Garden harvest totals for July 2019:

• Large marigolds – 525
• Small marigold – 7182
• Gladiolas – 95
• Lillies – 1291
• Kale – 107 bunches
• Lettuce – 8 heads
• Green beans – 73.5 pounds
• Red cabbage – 2 Heads
• Roma tomatoes – 102 pounds
• Big tomatoes – 236 pounds
• Cherry tomatoes – 37 pounds
• Peppers – 18 pounds
• Bitter melon – 38 pounds

Lila (Nandagram Garden):

• Harvested and delivered to the temple kitchen (all quantities reported in pounds):
• Zucchini – 147.5
• Summer squash-4.75
• Sweet peas – 9
• Beets – 8.75
• Green beans – 46.75
• Cherry tomatoes – 13.5
• Cucumber – 30.25
• Hot pepper – 1.75
• Roma tomatoes – 9
• Large tomatoes – 40.5
• Carrots – 2.5

Ranaka (General Manager):

• worked with Gintras and John Blackmore in regard to bringing water and electric to the two high tunnels in the Valley and the one at Vidya’s. All three high tunnels now have water and electric, and the automatic side curtains are set up and working properly.
• With no changes, the herd count remains at 66.

3. Next ECO-V Board & Staff Meeting

The next ECO-V board/staff meeting will be on September 27 at 10:00 AM.

Here’s a link to the ECO-Vrindaban website.

For regular updates, please visit, like and follow the ECO-V Facebook page.

Please join us next weekend for Prabhupada’s Palace 40th Anniversary Celebration. On August 28th 2019, Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold was officially listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Society, the Department of the Interior, and the National Park Service. During the upcoming weekend, Sept 27 – 29, we will dedicate a bronze plaque to commemorate these momentous occasions.

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 07/21/2019

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes cow protection, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON New Vrindaban’s Founder-Acharya.

Participating Directors: Anuttama (partial attendance), Chaitanya Mangala, Jamuna Jivani (board secretary), Makara (chair), Olivia (partial attendance), Ranaka, and Vraja.

Participating Advisors: Allegra (partial attendance), Kripamaya.

1. Ranaka’s Monthly Report

Lalita Gopi (Temple Barn)

• There are eight cows being milked (Subhadra, Surabhi, Cintamani, Parijata, Sita, Vamsika, Jaya Radhe, and Usha). Jade, Venkata, and Joshua Rama have been helping. 
• 22 to 23 gal of milk are being produced daily. 
• Approximately 30 lb of yogurt and 30 lb of butter are produced weekly. 
• There are five calves: Prahlada, Satyabhama, Puspavati, Narda, and Dhruva
• Two bulls were born: one to Sita and one to Vamsika. They were named Narada and Dhruva, respectively.
• Two cows have been moved to Bahulaban: Anjali who has retired from the milk herd, and Jaya Sri who is now 13 months old.

Ray (Farmhand)

• Hauled four dump trailer loads of aged manure from Nandagram to the high tunnel site.
• Hauled and spread three loads of fill dirt from Broken Hill to the high tunnel area to repair the entrance. 
• Cut, baled, and stacked 390 bales in the barn, in addition to the 48 round bales of hay from last report. He was assisted by Joshua Rama and Caitanya Bhagavat. Total hay baled and stored in Valley Barn is now 438 800-lb round bales. The total hay baled and stacked in Nandagram barn is 28, giving us a grand total of 466 bales produced to date for 2019.
• Hauled and spread two dump trailer loads of fill dirt to Kestner hay field road. 

Caitanya Bhagavat (Nandagram & Bahulaban)

• Daily cow care and count at Nandagram and Bahulaban. 
• Checked and maintained fence lines at Nandagram and Bahulaban.
• Mowed and weed whacked at Nandagram and Valley Barn
• Helped Lila and Vidya in the garden department. 
• Assisted in hay-making operation by moving bales from field and stacking in Valley and Nandagram Barns.

Suchandra (Community & Teaching Gardens)

• Planted second crop of marigolds at the Teaching Garden, as well as some more tomato plants
• Planted second crop of green beans at the Community garden
• Made more cages for vining beans and tomatoes and put them at Community Garden and Teaching garden. We now have around 100 that can be used again next year.
• Picked 150 lilies, 50 gladiolas, and 1,000 small marigolds at the Teaching Garden; and 150 large marigolds at the Community Garden.
• Picked first batch of green beans at the Community Garden. 
• Trimmed tomato plants at the Community Garden to help the tomatoes ripen faster.
• Planted cucumbers and winter squash at the Community garden.
• Layed ground cover in walkways, weeded lily and dahlia beds and the teepee in Teaching Garden.
• Planted loki squash at Teaching Garden.

Vidya (Vidya’s Garden)

• Started a second planting of marigolds (approximately 500 plants) 
• Picked four harvests of green beans and removed plants for a second planting (75-foot row and a 50-foot row)
• Organized a meeting with Angie, Lila, and Suchandra to explain the importance of a commitment to days of picking so that every day fresh flowers are given to the temple. The goal is for the temple to be completely independent from commercial flowers.

Angie (Vidya’s Garden)

• Tilled seven beds
• Covered all beds with plastic
• Planted: 
  • 70 tomato plants
  • 140 bittermelon plants
  • 30’ row of bush beans
  • Two 30’ rows of kale
  • 36 bell pepper plants
  • 30’ row of pole beans (2nd crop)
  • 50’ row of bush beans (3rd crop)
  • 20 Indian squash plants
  • 10 flats of marigolds and 2 flats of sunflower seeds
  • tub of cilantro
  • 100 sunflower seeds in ground
• Landscaped, weed whacked, and mowed garden property
• Disassembled garden fencing, and removed T-posts and former plastic from old garden in preparation for high tunnel
• Cleaned out garage and garden shed area 
• Weeded garden
• Delivered kale, asparagus, lettuce, and flowers to the temple kitchen
• Filled in mud hole in driveway with rocks
• Put 70 cages around tomatoes
• Planted six broccoli, red cabbage, and brussels sprout plants
• Harvested and delivered to temple:
  • Lettuce – 32 heads
  • Asparagus – 36 lb
  • Peonies – 159
  • Lilac – 3
  • Marigolds –  158
  • Lilies – 8
  • Kale – 30 bunches (9 stalks)     
  • Marigolds – 4,687
  • Gladiolas – 18
  • Lilies – 906
  • Kale – 107 bunches
  • Lettuce – 8 heads
  • Green Beans – 73.5 lb
  • Red Cabbage – 2 heads
  • Tomatoes – 36 lb
  • Zinnias – 18
  • Sunflowers – 6  
• Started 12 flats of marigolds and two flats of sunflowers
• Transplanted marigolds and sunflowers
• Covered open areas of garden with plastic to prevent weeds
• Weeded garden
• Started lettuce and cilantro seeds, then transplanted
• Covered high tunnel area with plastic
• Mowed and weed whacked garden property
• Fixed chicken wire on trellises for bitter melons

Lila (Nandagram Garden)

• Harvested and delivered to the temple kitchen (all quantities reported in pounds):
  • Lettuce – 3.5
  • Kale – 0.75
  • Swiss Chard – 0.25
  • Beets with greens – 8.25
  • Zucchini – 113.75
  • Summer Squash-4.25
  • Sweet Pea – 12.5

Ranaka (General Manager)

• Yoder’s finished the construction of two 30′ x 96′ high tunnels. Ranaka is in the process of ordering electric wire, hydrants, and plumbing fittings. Also, he is ordering parts for automatic watering drip line systems. 
• Met with Kacey and Vidya to discuss the overall high tunnel bed layout, seeding schedules, and drip line systems.
• ECO-V had a booth at the Wheeling Ratha-Yatra. Lalita Gopi, Anandavidya, Joshua Rama, Elena and Ranaka staffed it in shifts throughout the event. Guests were given the opportunity to make their own butter and apply it to Lalita’s homemade muffins. Srila Prabhupada’s books were on display along with ECO-V handbags for sale. Suchandra and Syama were in the next booth, displaying and selling fresh ECO-V garden produce. 
• With the birth of the two bull calves Dhruva and Narada, the total herd count is now 66.

2. Internal Funding Request: $10K for Commemoration Plaques

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to acknowledge the dedication of key community members who played vital roles in the history of cow protection in New Vrindaban.

RESOLVED: The Board approves up to $10K for additional bronze cast memorial plaques to commemorate the 50th anniversary of cow protection in New Vrindaban. 

3. Internal Funding Request: $6K for a High Tunnel

WHEREAS: ECO-V wishes to extend the growing season for its gardens.

RESOLVED: The ECO-V board authorizes up to $6K for the co-purchase of a high tunnel to be placed in Vidya’s garden for growing flowers and veggies for the Deities and Temple kitchens.

Here’s a link to the ECO-Vrindaban website.

For regular updates, please visit, like and follow the ECO-V Facebook page.

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 06/16/2019

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes cow protection, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON New Vrindaban’s Founder-Acharya.

Participating Directors: Anuttama (partial attendance), Chaitanya Mangala, Jamuna Jivani (board secretary), Makara (chair), Olivia (partial attendance), Ranaka, and Vraja.

Participating Advisors: Kripamaya

1. Ranaka’s Monthly Report

Lalita Gopi (Temple Barn)

• There are eight cows giving milk: Surabhi, Lakshmi, Jaya Radhe, Parijata, Cintamani, Anjali, Usha, and Subhadra
• There are four calves: Prahlada, Satyabhama, Puspavati, and Jai Sri
• The cows are producing 25 gal of milk daily.
• Anandavidya is making 30 lb of butter and 30 lb of yogurt weekly.
• Parijata delivered a bull calf named Prahlada on May 18 during mangala arati. He initially suffered with stiff tendons in his front legs which kept him from balancing and bending low enough to drink from his mother. Bhaktin Brooke massaged his legs and within 13 days he was able to use his legs and drink properly. Also, Dr. Mores visited to check on him.
• Balaram has been weed-whacking and power-washing the fence.
• Lalita is slowly painting the fence and will continue to make repairs.
• A little pool was purchased for the new ducks which were dropped off at the barn.
• A new vacuum pump, capable of running three bucket milkers at once, was purchased and installed. A second bucket milker was refurbished and put back into service, we are now milking with two buckets at a time.
• Nila Govinda, Venkata, Nikunja Vilasini, Gopika and several bhaktins have been hand milking on occasion.

Ray: General Farmhand

• Repaired the Temple Barn roof
• Cleaned up and hauled four loads (20,240 lb) of scrap metal from around the new high tunnel area to the recycling center in Benwood.
• Completed clean-up of the high tunnels site.
• Worked with John Blakemore to install 100’ of drainage between both high tunnels
• Rotovated high tunnel site at Vidya’s.
• Cut, baled, and stacked 48 round bales of hay in the barn with the assistance of Joshua Rama and Caitanya Bhagavat.
• Installed a new vacuum pump and vacuum line upgrades at the Temple Barn
• Made repairs to Community Garden irrigation system.
• Brush-cut the rose bushes in the Bahulaban pasture and grass-cutting on various devotee residences.
• Cultivated potatoes.

Caitanya Bhagavat (Nandagram and Bahulaban)

• Daily cow counts
• Checking all fence lines
• Mowing and weed-whacking at Nandagram and the Valley Barn.
• Helped Vidya to prepare for her high tunnel greenhouse.
• Started a new locust post fence line at the Temple Barn.
• Assisting in hay making operation by moving bales from field and stacking in the Valley Barn.

Suchandra
Teaching Garden:

• hand-tilled the beds with the help of Sara, Ryan, Suchandra, Shyama, and volunteers
• laid ground cover with Sara and Ryan
• Shyama planted all pots
• weeded the lily beds and other areas with Shyama and Sara
• planted dahlias, marigolds, zinnias, globes, and other flowers with the help of some volunteers
• planted green beans and put cages around them with Sara, Shyama, and volunteers
• caged tomatoes and vining green beans with Ryan

Community Garden:

• put a fence up around the beds and secured areas of large fence with Ryan
• laid ground cover with Sara and Ryan
• planted tomatoes, green beans, green peppers, hot peppers, and big marigolds with Shyama, Sara, and volunteers
• Ryan mowed and weed-whacked

Vidya (Vidya’s Garden)

• Prepared the high tunnel site. The area is ready for Yoder’s to put up the structure.
• Angie has harvested and delivered to the temple:
• 39 pounds of asparagus
• one bushel of lettuce
• 2 bushels of kale
• 159 peony flowers
• 160 marigold flowers
• 8 lily flowers
• Angie caged 120 tomato plants
• The lily patch has been weeded along with much of the vegetables
• Started the second planting of marigolds and sunflowers
• Potted tube roses to plant in the high tunnels for fall production,
• Potted carnations plants to put in high tunnel

Lila (Nandagram Garden)

• Planted 70 tomatoes and 30 hot peppers.
• Seeded lettuce, peas, beets, cucumber, carrots, bush and pole beans, summer and winter squash, watermelon, kale, and arugula.
• Weeded, watered, cultivated, fertilized, mulched, and weed-whacked

Ranaka: General Manager

• Researched and ordered a new vacuum pump for temple barn, making it possible to milk two cows simultaneously.
• Has been working with John Blakemore to lay out high tunnel placement and drainage.
• Yoder’s began construction of two – 30’ x 96’ high tunnels on June 12. They estimate it will take five more work days to finish.
• Met twice with Kalakantha prabhu during his recent visit to NV. We discussed the organization of the October farm conference along with various farm projects around the globe.
• With the birth of Prahlada, the total herd count stands at 64.

2. Allegra as Advisor

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to maintain a team of advisors.

RESOLVED: The Board designates Allegra Wiprud to the position of advisor through the end of 2019.

3. Prabhupada’s Palace Restoration Funding Request

WHEREAS: ECO-Vrindaban wishes to help renovate Srila Prabhupada’a preeminent samadhi in North America.

RESOLVED: The ECO-V board authorizes a grant up to $300K to ISKCON New Vrindaban for Prabhupada’s Palace roof restoration.

There are three terms the ECO-V Board highlight as part of this grant/loan:

1. ECO-V encourages incorporating more of Srila Prabhupada’s vision for New Vrindaban into the experience guests receive at Prabhupada’s Palace, including increased emphasis on the cow protection and local agriculture aspects of his mission.
2. In the near future, ECO-V would like to see a sustainability plan created for the long-term maintenance and viability of Prabhupada’s Palace.
3. For its records, ECO-V requests documentation on how the funds are spent on the Palace Roof Restoration Project.

To reach the previously requested $500K, up to $200K can be provided as a loan from ECO-V to INV, with loan details to be decided at a later date.

Here’s a link to the ECO-Vrindaban website.

For regular updates, please visit, like and follow the ECO-V Facebook page.

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 05/05/2019

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes cow protection, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON New Vrindaban’s Founder-Acharya.

Participating Directors: Anuttama, Chaitanya Mangala, Jamuna Jivani (board secretary), Makara (chair), Olivia, Ranaka, and Vraja.

Participating Advisors: Jaya Krsna and Kripamaya

1. Ranaka’s Monthly Report

• Lalita Gopi (Temple Barn)
  • Currently seven cows being milked at the barn. Anjali, Usa, Jaya Radhe, Lakshmi, Cintamani, Surabhi, Subhadra. They are providing 25 gal of milk daily.
  • Cintamani gave birth to a heifer on April 22.  They are both doing very well. The calf has been named Satyabhama. 
  • There are three calves residing at the barn: Satyabhama, Jai Sri, and Puspavati.
  • Anandavidya is currently making  30-40 lb of butter and 20 gal of yogurt weekly.
  • The Temple Barn has been painted by Lalita Gopi with help from Gopakumar, Jamuna, Moses, Nolan, Manuel, Will, and John. 
  • The Cow Festival was held April 27 and 28. We had visitors from local areas. There was an incense making booth, butter making booth, and local products for sale. The guests brushed and decorated the cows. 
  • The vet came to treat an infected wound on Parijata
  • Parijata is due to calf soon. 

• Ray (General Farmhand)
  • Moved hay to Temple Barn and Nandagram
  • Barn and equipment maintenance 
  • Continuing with the cleanup of the Brick Yard area in preparation for the installation of the two high tunnel greenhouses this summer 
  • Moved 26 cows from the Valley Barn and two cows from the Temple Barn to Bahulaban for summer pasture.
  • Planted 1,400 lb of potato seed with the assistance of Caitanya Bhagavat. Half of the seed was planted in the Community Garden and half  was planted below Valley Barn in bottom by Wheeling Creek.
  • Rearranged the remaining hay in the Valley Barn in preparation for this summer’s hay making and storage.
  • Prepared the hay making equipment for the upcoming season 
  • Replaced wind-damaged skylight on the Temple Barn with the assistance from Caitanya Bhagavat.
  • Moved manure from Temple Barn feed area to Community Garden for composting and storage.

• Caitanya Bhagavat (Nandagram & Bahulaban)
  • Daily cow care for Nandagram and Bahulaban cows, including monitoring the herd numbers and veterinarian checks.
  • Walked and maintained all fence lines 
  • Mowed and weed whacked at Nandagram and Valley Barn.
  • Completed Bahulaban fencing for summer pasturing of 28 cows. Repaired fences and made new fence lines and brace posts.
  • We had the great fortune to serve Tulsi, one of our Brown Swiss cows, in her passing. She was one of Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra’s retired milk cows. She was 16 years old and had given birth to Kesava and Manjari, and had a grandson, Balarama. She left this world  in our geriatric barn at Nandagram in the presence of Salagram silas, and surrounded by her half sister Ganga, her friend and herd mate Punya Koti, our youngest oxen Bhadra and Asesa, and our burro Bodhi. She was listening to Srila Prabhupada’s kirtan, drinking Radha Kunda water with Govardhana dust, and eating maha prasada and tulasi leaves. 

• Suchandra (Community & Teaching Gardens)
  • Tilled dahlia beds for planting.
  • Planted dahlias.
  • Started pepper seeds and roma tomato seeds. 
  • Organized and cleaned out the front area of the storage building at the Teaching Garden.
  • Teaching Garden and Community Garden seasonal planning.
  • Vidya’s Garden
    • Picked 10 lb of asparagus
    • Planted 40 bitter melon plants
    • Seeded a 50-foot row of green beans 
    • Started and transplanted 300 tomato plants
    • Started and transplanted 2,000 flowers 
    • Picked lilacs and other flowers

• Ranaka (General Manager)
  • Ordered two 30’ x 96’ high tunnels from Yoder’s, secured by a $5,000 down payment. These will be installed by them this summer.
  • Purchased new Honda ATV for $6,401 to be used by Caitanya Bhagavat for fencing and herd care.
  • With the birth of Satyabhama and death of Tulasi, the total herd count remains at 63.

2. External Funding Request: $500K for Prabhupada’s Palace Roof Restoration

WHEREAS: ECO-V wishes to help preserve Srila Prabhupada’s preeminent samadhi in North America.

RESOLVED: The ECO-Vrindaban board authorizes up to $500K toward Prabhupada’s Palace roof and dome restoration effort, as presented by members of the ISKCON New Vrindaban board and the Palace Restoration Committee.

Here’s a link to the ECO-Vrindaban website.

For regular updates, please visit, like and follow the ECO-V Facebook page.