ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 02/18/2018
ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 02/18/2018
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 (partial attendance), Chaitanya Mangala (chair), Jamuna Jivani (board secretary), Makara, Olivia, Ranaka, and Vraja.
Participating Advisors: Bhima (partial attendance), Jaya Krsna, and Kalakantha (partial attendance).
1. Ranaka’s monthly report
- Ananda Vidya and Lalita Gopi are currently milking five cows: Jamuna, Surabhi, Laxmi, Sita, and Malati. Milk production is approximately 20 gal. per day.
- Sriya and Anjali are both due to freshen this month. Subhadra is due in May.
- There are three heifers residing at the Temple Barn: one-year-old Vamsika, five-month-old Lalita, and two-month-old Gopi Katyayani.
- Parvati is residing with Dharma for breeding.
- Jaya Radhe and Usha are still residing in Nandagram with Madhu for breeding.
- Ananda Vidya continues to produce approximately 15 lbs. of butter, 15 gal. of yogurt, and a half gal. of ghee weekly, which he delivers to the temple kitchen. He now has a larger cheese press and mold which holds four gallons of milk at a time. He made and waxed a wheel of Colby cheese last week, which will be aged for 2.5 months.
- Ananda Vidya and Lalita Gopi continue to clear out and clean the upstairs of the Temple Barn.
- Ray is about half finished replacing the siding around the front entrance to the school building, but due to poor weather, no further progress has been made. The materials needed to finish the job have been received.
- Ray finished the loading chute at Nandagram, and repaired the bullpen there, as well as the greenhouse. Vidya’s greenhouse still needs to be finished.
- Ray continues moving hay from the Valley Barn to Nandagram as weather permits.
- Caitanya Bhagavat works with Hari Chand in the ox program for an hour each morning, along with daily Nandagram herd care.
- Ray and Caitanya Bhagavat have completed the permanent loading chute at Nandagram along with some repair work on the bullpen.
- Suchandra is finishing seed orders, as well as cleaning and organizing the Community Garden shed. She has noted repair work that needs done of the fence there.
- Suchandra, Ray, and Ranaka are planning a walk through in the Community Garden this month to discuss manure-spreading and tillage plans.
- Ranaka has been providing financial information to Ram Associates, the auditing firm ECO-V hired every year since 2012 for internal auditing. They are aiming to have the 2017 financial statements finished in time for the March 2018 onsite meetings.
- Rakta the cow passed away on February 12th at the age of 23. She had been in good health despite her old age, so her sudden passing came as a surprise. After some years of providing milk, Rakta retired and spent her days grazing and relaxing with the retired herd. She got along well with everyone, cows and cowherds alike. She was one of the oldest cows in the herd, but always remained young in spirit.
2. Lakshmi Cow Sanctuary Adoption Request
A subcommittee, consisting of Chaitanya Mangala, Jamuna Jivani, Makara, and Ranaka, made some calculations which showed taking on these five cows would mean at least 16 years of responsibility and over that time cost approximately $143K. After some discussion, it was determined that absorbing these animals would not interfere with ECO-V’s goals of maintaining 8 to 10 milking cows, and an overall herd size of approximately 100, as was expressly desired by Srila Prabhupada. The Board agreed to adopt these cows. Ranaka will speak to Dr. Shastri to work out the arrangements for their arrival and care.
3. INV Request for Promotional Budget
WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to support INV’s ongoing promotional efforts.
RESOLVED: The Board approves up to $1,000 per month towards INV’s promotion of activities in New Vrindaban, for up to 10 months.
4. Website
The ECO-V website is now live at eco-v.com. Jamuna Jivani and Makara will continue to maintain, improve, and add to it over time.
For regular updates please visit and like the ECO-V Facebook page.
