Nonprofit Spotlight: ECO-Vrindaban’s Cow Sanctuary
Five years ago I became a vegetarian for health and compassion reason. “I want to hug them, not eat them.” is how I feel. But before I go any further, I’m not here to try and convince you to become on or to judge/alienate any carnivore readers out there. (I live with one!)
While in West Virginia, I got to spend some time up-close and personal with these gentle giants, and learn about the local cow sanctuary, ECO-V. I wholeheartedly support animal rights, and I am happy to share some good work being done on behalf of these beautiful creatures.
According to the website, ECOV (Earth Cows Opportunities and Villages) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to cow protection, local production of food, sustainable housing, alternative energy production and energy conservation. Cow protection includes not sending cows to slaughterhouses and letting them live out their lives until a natural death.
Regardless of dietary preference or philosophy, I think we can all agree that factory-farming slaughterhouses are just the worst.The West Virginia location is the first of many small villages ECO-V wants to build around an agrarian, spiritual lifestyle based on the mission of plain living, high thinking, and close connections to Mother Earth in a sustainable way.
We took a walking tour of the barns and pastures, and since we had two kids with us, we mainly visited the oldie ‘slowie’ cows. They were just straight up chilling, living out the rest of their days in peace. They were all so gentle! The bulls are kept behind closed gates for everyone’s safety, but the cows have more freedom to roam around.
The idea is really neat, but there is a lot of room for improvement and a lot of work to be done. ECO-V accepts financial donations but the nonprofit also invites folks who want to help spend weekends or vacations helping out, hand-on. That’s the difference-maker, right there. Not just for the organization, but also for those volunteering.
Their work with cows is year-round, but there are numerous other projects in the works from March until December. From planting trees and maintaining them, to building fences, garden spaces and low impact construction projects, there are plenty of nature-related activities for volunteers.
Have you ever gotten your hand dirty with soil?
Helped build or care for something?
It is life-changing.
Visit their website for more information.
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