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Kazakhstan Newsletter Creating an environment where individuals are not identified by caste, creed, religion, or nationality Agriculture at Sri Vrindavan Dham Dear Friends of Palace of the Soul, The solid ice that people were walking on a few months ago has melted to again become the beautiful lake; the apple, pear and cherry trees are full of white blossoms; and our temple dog just had puppies— all signs that spring is upon us at Sri Vrindavan Dham. The winter season in Kazakhstan generally lasts from late October through February with weather dropping down to -30 C. As soon as the snow breaks and spring arrives, the farmers take action and plant their crops so they may be sure of a plentiful harvest. It is no different for the residents of Sri Vrindavan Dham.
Community members take different responsibilities for agriculture after the long winter months. For some, it is their full-time engagement. For others, it is an opportunity to put in some extra service beyond their normal regimen. "We would like everyone living at Sri Vrindavan Dham to have a giving mentality," says project director BB Govinda Swami. "When devotees serve selflessly and cooperatively with the aspiration to please the Lord, then our lives and our community become wonderful."
The fields have all been plowed. The large fields have already been planted with potatoes, pumpkins, carrots, beets, wheat, and barley. These are the foodstuffs that will keep through the winter months. Near the rose garden, in a slightly smaller field next to the temple, Madan Gopal dasa starts his day in the fields immediately after puja and breakfast. A recent university graduate with a major in agriculture, Madan spends nearly 10 hours a day cultivating a 1.5-hectare vegetable garden that has been given to his care. "So far I have planted bindi [okra], karela [bitter melon], tinda, and loki," says Madan Gopal. "These are all vegetables from India, not found in Kazakhstan. We grow them and offer them in our temple. Needless to say, our vegetables have become very popular with the Indian community in Almaty. Also, our congregation members, visiting the farm, often purchase their vegetable supplies from our gardens.
"We also grow tomatoes, eggplant, varieties of peppers, butternut squash, zucchini, beans, and different spinaches. "We have planned a harvest that will feed a community of over 120 people throughout the year. Many items that we grow can be dried, preserved, and used during the cold winter months. "Here in Kazakhstan, there is no distinction in the market between organic and non-organic produce. However, there is a growing interest in organic farming, so when we have extra, people are always anxious to purchase it. "The goal of our agriculture program in Sri Vrindavan Dham is to develop a high degree of self-sufficiency. Through cultivation, our community is fed, our humanitarian Food For Life program is supplied, and the needs of our Govinda's restaurant are met. "Actually, we are trying to follow the lifestyle of the people who lived in the area of Vraja Vrindavan some 5,000 years ago. Our 35 cows create the fertilizer for developing healthy soil. Our community members serve in the fields. We like to engage people from our own community rather than from outside so that we can become self-sufficient. "And, in the end, just as the Vrajabasis would do, we offer the harvest to Giriraja Govardhan, the center of our Sri Vrindavan Dham community. Govardhan literally means "to increase." Krsna encouraged the residents of Vrindavan to offer everything to Giriraja Govardhan, and He promised that they would have everything that is needed for an abundant life. "So here in Sri Vrindavan Dham, the devotees are happily growing, harvesting, cooking, and offering everything to Giriraja Govardhan. Our lives are simple but at the same time deeply enriched with the wonderful ideals of Krishna consciousness." May this agriculture season at Sri Vrindavan Dham be a success! Jaya Giriraja! Silk Road Foundation www.PalaceOfTheSoul.com
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