One of the Hindu community's best known sustainable and ethical farms in the UK has celebrated bringing together local people from different walks of life to care for its cows and bulls, including organic farmers, veterinary students, and even ex-offenders taking part in community payback projects.
New Gokula Farm at Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna Temple has a mixed herd of almost 60 animals, some of whom give milk, some who are working oxen, and some who are retired or in their childhood.
The unique nature of the farm means that all animals are milked by hand and the land is farmed using traditional Amish equipment.
No slaughter takes place on the farm, and every cow, bull and calf is looked after regardless of whether they can provide milk or not.
Veterinary students spend about a week helping to milk the animals, work with oxen, nurse sick cows, mill grains, clean, look after the shop and even learn to make ropes.
In addition, the farm also has close links with WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities On Organic Farms), and volunteers help weed the crops, harvest, plant, clean, help in the kitchen, help with the cows and work with the oxen.
The eight acres of land on site is cultivated as naturally as possible with no pesticides or herbicides to grow vegetables and fruits. The land is ploughed using oxen and fertilized with manor cow manure. Many types of herbs, vegetables and fruits are grown, harvested and used in the Manor’s kitchens.
Syamasundara Dasa, Manager of New Gokula Farm said: “New Gokula is a unique project designed to be a model for sustainable farming in the UK.
“It is a revolutionary project in the UK, enabling people to experience a traditional farming lifestyle, which is why it is successful in inspiring and bringing together so many people from different parts of the community.”
