As always the meetings start out with memories of Srila Prabhupada. Disciples recall important moments with Divine Grace, how he inspires them now in their service.
There was a presentation on The Gita Nagari farm project by Parijata devi dasi. She and her husband have spent the last few years creating a Master Plan for this large farm project which is one that Srila Prabhupada started with a special vision. He said this would be the place where the Bhagavad Gita is lived, and he created a 28-page manual explaining how this temple should be run. The vision includes “a hospital for the heart.” We are looking at developing a wellness center, a place for fine arts, theatrical performances, cinematography, preaching, festivals, outreach, and spiritual retreats.
Currently, we have developed relationships between their farm community and city temples which is another directive of Srila Prabhupada’s. We are set up to produce and deliver milk, milk products, and fresh produce to the Potomac Temple in D.C., which in return supports the farm project by their purchase.
The farm is home to 28 milking cows, 14 calves, 19 retired cows and oxen. Through research and intelligence we have made good relations with US government agencies that make grants to agricultural projects, and we have received about $250K for farm projects. One of their projects was the installation of a special foundation in their barn through which urine and manure can pass into a holding tank below. This mixture is composted into excellent organic fertilizer.
We are currently hosting student retreats and visits, putting on exhibitions, green festivals, a country style Rathyatra, preaching in local yoga studios and hosting volunteer days amongst their congregation members to help out on the farm. There are Cottage Industries planned such as producing cheese and bread, cultivating herbs and flowers and growing their own grain for their breads.
One of our hopes is to go to those farms in their area that are already doing dairy, and show them how to do slaughter-free dairy. These farms spend a lot just on fertilizer and our cow protection programs can show them a lot about the value of the cow.
Even though the style of this presentation, said to be written by Parijata Devi dasi, is pretty confusing (jumping from “they”, “she and her husband”, to “we”, along with puzzling sentences such as “currently, we have developed relationships between – their ? – farm communities and city temples…”), we have to salute any positive initiative which is aiming at fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s vision, be it partially and gradually.
I have personally been fortunate to visit Gita Nagari farm and appreciated the hospitality.
This is certainly an important project which requires the attention of our Movement and will be able to expand and blossom, if more devotees choose to come and serve at the lotus feet of Sri-Sri Radha-Damodara.
Srila Prabhupada wanted to create an alternative to this self-destructive materialistic civilization and promoted “simple living and high thinking”. In this way, he gave us an opportunity to set a sustainable example for the rest of society to draw some valuable inspiration from…
May we measure up to his expectations!
Hare Krishna
All glories to the assembled devotees
All glories to your service