Cow Protection
There is increasing scientific evidence that cows have sentience and complex emotional lives. There is a growing awareness of their individuality and capacity for social bonds. They should be treated with the same consideration for their well-being as any other sentient beings. Visit us to see it for yourself.
Our Commitment to Compassion
- At Eco Farm Community, we believe Ahimsa nonviolence is a foundational aspect for harmonious co-existence. Hence, our cows are cherished as family members throughout their lives and are never sold for slaughter and are provided care and protection until their natural end.
- Cow dung in Sanskrit is called Go-Var which means Boon of Cows.
- Our sustainable farming methods involve using cow dung as manure in our organic garden.
- We continue to find ways in which cow dung and urine can be utilized. Our model contributes to the preservation of the planet, the animals, and the people.
- We also focus on innovating and studying ancient ways of farming for sustenance and simple living.
- We take inspiration from other spiritual farming community projects in North America and internationally and are happy to inspire others
Our cows are:
- A embodiment of compassion.
- A source of positive energy and peace.
- A source of nourishment for the land through the use of organic manure.
- A source of wellness.
Our cows
There are 17 cows in the sanctuary. Out of the initial 4 cows who made this sanctuary their home, two are still present (Yashoda and Gaurangi). Most of the family were born here after interacting with neighboring bulls.
Anand and Laulyam were donated by their owners for humanitarian reasons.
In the beginning all the animals were very hostile to humans, and wouldn’t let anybody closer than 200 ft. With the gentle behavior and love showered by the care takers of the Goshala, a relationship based on love and trust was established. It took 3 years though!
Yashoda
Yashoda is mother of Shyameshwari and Yamuna. She is one of the original member of the family who took refuge in this sanctuary.
Yamuna
Little Yamuna is very gentle and curious. Yashoda is her mother. She loves gentle strokes on her belly.
Shyamini
Shyamini is Gaurangi’s daughter and is very reserved and skittish.
Shyameshwari
Shyameshwari is Yashoda’s eldest daughter. Her daughter is Radhika. Yamuna is her younger sister and of similar age to Radhika. Yashoda (Yamuna’s mom) is not bearing milk. Hence Shyameshwari feeds milk to both Radhika (her own daughter) and Yamuna (her younger sister).
Nandini
Nandini is Govinda Nandini’s daughter. She has the longest horn within this herd. However, she is extremely gentle and mild. She is little reserved, but loves gentle strokes under her neck. Unlike many others who loose themselves at the hint of the tasty treats, Nandini is self controlled. She remains at the back and comes forward only when called.
Radhika
Radhika is extremely sweet and gentle calf. She is Shyameshwari’s daughter.
Laulyam
Laulyam is a loner, she is not the part of the herd. She was dropped by her owner as she was too old and fragile. She is perhaps the oldest cow in the sanctuary, maybe 12-15 years old. She is very reserved, and doesn’t like to be bothered at all. Sometimes, she is not seen for months. There is no match to the size of her horns.
Laddu
Laddu is a bull born to Gaurangi. He is the least skittish within the herd. Infact, he will come to you not for feed, but for good scratches. However, the way he lets know that he wants to be scratched is by headbutting. Hence, one needs to know Laddu well and be cautious when he is around.
Kalachandji
Kalachandji is Govinda Nandini’s youngest son. He is very gentle and mild. He like to be petted and fed.
Govinda
Govinda is Govinda Nandini’s eldest son. He is a little skittish and reserved. However, when feed is around he comes to get his share.
Govinda Nandini
Govinda Nandini is the leader of the pack. She is very strong but gentle. She recently lost her mother (Padma) ex-leader. She has two sons Govinda and Kalachandji and a daughter, Nandini. The easiest way to move the herd is by making Govinda Nandini move, the herd follows her.
Gaurangi
Gaurangi is also among the first cows who took shelter at this sanctuary. She is huge and very strongly built. Her daughter is Shyamini and Chandragopi. She also has two sons, Laddu and Barsana.
Daoji
Daoji is late Padma’s son, brother of Govinda Nandini. He is biggest and the strongest in the herd. He has a mild temperament and loves to be fed and scratched with the brush.
Chandragopi
Chandragopi is Gaurangi’s daughter. She has two small horns. She is very mild and likes to be petted.
Barsana
Barsana is Gaurangi’s son. He is a little skittish and keeps a distance from people. But he overcomes his skittish nature at this time of feeding tasty treats.
Anand
Anand is a special bull, who was destinated to shot if her owner were to follow the veterinarian’s advice. But Sandra, her previous owner, has a big heart, she tried to nurture him in her illness before finally donating him to the sanctuary where he was revived under Vasant Pancami prabhu’s care and treatment. Anand has fully recovered and loves tasty treats. When he is in a good mood, he will love to be petted and scratched under his neck.
Sridama
Our new baby cow!