ECO-Vrindaban Board and Staff Meeting Minutes 10/14/2018
ECO-Vrindaban Board and Staff Meeting Minutes 10/14/2018
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: Chaitanya Mangala (chair), Jamuna Jivani (board secretary), Makara, Olivia, Ranaka, and Vraja.
Participating Staff: Caitanya Bhagavat, Lalita Gopi, Monique, Suchandra, and Vidya.
1. Ox Program
Rama left New Vrindaban and is not sure whether or not he will return. Caitanya Bhagavat decided not to continue with the ox program, though he will still continue with cow care. If the ox program is to continue, a dedicated person is needed to take responsibility for it.
2. Policies Regarding the Cows
Some concerns were raised by staff members:
- A desire for more transparency in regards to INV’s fundraising for the cows
- Safety issues concerning visitors to the Temple Barn
- The appropriateness of various go-puja practices in terms of Srila Prabhupada’s instructions for New Vrindaban
It was agreed the safety issues should be addressed immediately. Ranaka was tasked to take the lead with this. The cowherds will put together a proposal outlining visiting hours, what guests should and should not do while in the barn area, and so on. Also, signs will be put up in and around the barn. The ECO-V Board plans to address the other topics with the new INV administration, sometime after the New Year.
3. Garden Crew Updates
The garden crew highlighted some of their accomplishments this year, including:
- Establishing better communication between the gardeners, and the temple management and kitchen
- Providing produce to the temple & restaurant kitchens, as well as the broader community
- Inciting more community interest in gardening
Goals for 2019 include:
- Engaging more youth
- Growing more food
- Learning how to use the current irrigation system and upgrading it
- Constructing greenhouses to enable a longer growing season
- High tunnels
- A transportable greenhouse at Vidya’s for growing flowers year-round
4. ECO-V Made Gifts
Some staff and directors expressed an interest in providing gifts at events that are grown and made in New Vrindaban. Staff members agreed to come up with proposals.
Here’s a link to the ECO-Vrindaban website.
For regular updates, please visit, like and follow the ECO-V Facebook page.
