New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes simple living, cow protection, engaging oxen, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.

Participating Directors: Anuttama, Bhima, Chaitanya Mangala, Ranaka and Sri Tulasi Manjari

Advisors: Radha-Krishna, Vraja

Managers: Mukunda, Nitaicandra

1. Mukunda’s Monthly Report

• The greenhouse that was outside the new boundaries of the Community Garden has been dismantled and many of the materials have been salvaged.
• He helped build a fence to better contain the hay at the hay shelter next to the milking goshala.
• He removed an old, obsolete and unsightly telephone pole next to the Deities’ flower garden.
• He continues to help organize and chair the Village Association Steering Committee meetings.
• He is preparing for the first North American ISKCON Farm Conference in Gita Nagari set for mid-August.
• Mukunda contacted an Architectural/Structural Engineer, the County Health Department and Fire Marshal to understand any relevant fire, health and safety concerns. These meetings are scheduled throughout the next one month.

2. Nitaicandra’s Monthly Report

• The main ox team, Hari and Priya, are working well together. Currently, they are pulling a chain and responding to voice commands without a lash. They will be part of the planting in the Community Garden next week by pulling a simple chain link drag to cover the seed.
• Caitanya Bhagavat has been upgrading the Nandagram fencing.
• The garden crew picked blueberries from the Bahulaban orchards (8 quarts).
• Many quarts of mixed berries have been picked from the Community Garden (4 quarts per week).
• Radish, salad greens, kale and Swiss chard harvest has begun.
• Tomatoes, squash, and basil will be ready for harvest soon.
• There have been some challenges with flea beetles, rabbits, and poor soil. Continuing to improve the soil quality by using soil building plants and manure will be an ongoing process.
• Thus far, Vidya and her team have produced 8,000 marigolds with many more coming. The community garden is at around 2,000 marigolds
• So far this season, we have had two Wwoofers guests and another will be coming this week.

3. Steering Committee Inclusion

The ECO-V Board is in favor of starting to include the Village Association Steering Committee members in the monthly “Joint Board” meetings between ISKCON New Vrindaban and ECO-Vrindaban. Concurrently, the Board requests the Steering Committee to set a date, within a reasonable time frame, for the vote to elect a New Vrindaban Village Council.

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