Cell Phone Hot Spots on the Farm

We are very fortunate that we do not have cell phone service and coverage on our farm.  This is great for those seeking an absolute break from the communication onslaught in cities and other developed areas.  However, Mother Jagannath who does not voluntarily acquire too many material possessions, has a cell phone as her main means of communication.  So for those visiting and unable to handle the withdrawal symptoms from your cell phone communication, please consult Mother Jaganntha - she knows every small pocket of service or hot-spot on the farm :)!

Welcome Back to Agni Hotra & Avadhuta !

A special couple are back to support Gita Nagari in the realization of so many goals set by our Founder, Srila Prabhupada!  Agni and Avadhuta reside in Cleveland, OH and are semi-retired.  They have decided to offer their precious energy in service to the goals of the Project.  They assist with the Worship and Cooking - keeping us well fed and satisfied, especially after very physical work in the fields and barn.  We are delighted and grateful for their presence and contribution!

Our Golden Lord Festival

The community honored another wonderful spiritual and cultural festival called Gaura Purnima, Golden Full Moon.  The spiritual practice suggested for this particular time period in the universe has been inaugurated by Caitanya Mahaprabhu, know also as the Golden Avatar.  We understand that the easiest way to reawaken our original loving relationship with the Supreme Lord is through the chanting of the Mahamantra: Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare - try it folks - they say that the proof of the pudding is in the tasting - try it and let us know how it went :)!

SO we as a community had an awesome time offering loving service to the Supreme Lord and each other to celebrate this amazing Personality and the amazing gift of a fulfilling life in bhakti yoga!

Here is everyone preparing and participating.

REAL MEN read the manual...

With many tractor issues, our hard-working, intelligent, devotional men finally consulted the manual...We are so much better off for that.  Dhruva, Sivam, Bali and Hemchan constantly trouble-shoot regarding our equipment which you can imagine is pretty old, maybe ancient.  Yes, hoof-power soon :).  Feel free to direct investors our way :).

Progress Update on agriCULTURE

The farm is buzzing with the sounds of Spring - the chirping birds have returned, the cows moo blissfully when they are let out for some exercise into the warm pastures every once in a while, the little critters are back foraging and active, and of course, the tractor has been revived after its loooonnnggg winter sleep!  Although it is goal for us to ultimately utilize ox-power, we are currently using diesel-power.  We are seriously strategizing on moving to bio-fuel power.  So in the mean time, our old faithful continues to plow, disc and till the land in preparation for seeding 20 acres with vegetables and herbs and flowers.

200 000 seeds have been sown in 2 greenhouses: the 20 x 48 and the 35 x 120.  The last few days had our farmers Hemchan, Kumarie and Sivam full time on the tractor.  Our old faithful took some strain so we hired a tractor to complete this critical phase of the growing process.  If anyone out there would like to assist us in procuring another functional tractor, please contact us on 717 527 4101 and ask for Dhruva or Parijata.  As you may know, we are a non-profit so your offering is tax deductible.

We are offering CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares this season in Philadelphia, Washington DC, Baltimore, New Jersey and New York.  Let us know if you would like to participate. We are also seeking wholesale markets in these regions - we have secured 1 large channel; and also Farmer's Markets.  Please help us with leads and information where you can.

Today we plan to lay plastic mulch and start transplanting soon, seeing we seem to have an early Spring!  Let us see what this means for the rest of the growing season!

Honoring our Spiritual Mentors

On March 1st and 3rd, the community of Gita Nagari Yoga Farm honored one of its many Spiritual Mentors, His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Swami,  on the day of his appearance in this world.  This observance is a deep and significant one, where the community focuses on deepening and upholding the values espoused by the Mentor, which is ultimately those propounded by the Founder of our Spiritual Organization, His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.  The community came together to offer loving service in remembrance of him, and to strengthen our own commitments to align our lifestyle to the tenets of Bhakti Yoga.

GitaGifts.com

Question

How do I support Gita Nagari, and find something unique and interesting to give as a present to my _____________________(fill in the blank; friend, spouse, partner, co-worker, relative, in-law. . ?)

Answer

Buy from Gita Gifts, the new community family run online gift store with interestingly unique, quality merchandise. Handmade items that make wonderful presents for loved ones and acquaintances.

Customer friendly site gives you access to over seventy individually selected items in an assortment of metals, wood, stone and cloth, packaged and shipped within 48 hours to anywhere in the continental U.S. Customer satisfaction is guaranteed with a 30 day money back policy. Items are added weekly so there is something new every time you stop by.

The best part is that 50% of net profits generated go directly to funding the building, renovation and innovation going on at Gita Nagari Farm right now; like the new Yoga Centre and Multi-Purpose room, The Health and Wellness Clinic, new guest house and acres of land for organic farming and the expanded CSA and of course the cow sanctuary. You can satisfy two needs at the same time and feel supremely good about both.

Please check us out at Gitagifts.com, like us on Facebook, spread the word, and Thanks!

http://stores.gitagifts.com/-strse-Featured-Items/Categories.bok

NOW ACCEPTING INTERNS FOR 2016!

NOW ACCEPTING INTERNS FOR 2016

BACKDROP

Set in the scenic Tuscarora Valley, framed by mountain ridges, boundaried by the Tuscarora Creek on the east side, inhabited by melodious birds and other creatures, home to 9 joyful volunteers, 19 peaceful cows/oxen, and a carefree flock of about 40 peacocks, Gita Nagari Organic Farm of 350 acres of rolling green hay fields, pastures and diverse woods engages in compassionate farming, above all its other activities.

 OUR VALUES & GOALS

We at Gita Nagari Organic Farm have understood that as an intentional community, we can be profitable and sustainable. This is because our core values rest on community and compassion where we are stewards of our people, land and animals. This is exemplified through our Organic Systems Plan, Forest Stewardship Plan, Conservation Plan, Nutrient Management Plan, Community Activities and and Cow and Ox Protection Plan.

Our goals are to balance lifestyle and agriculture through organic farming integrated with renewable energy sources. While our current practices are not there yet, we are making significant progress towards this. We would love to share with you our various projects in this regard such as biofuels, green buildings, and ox power.

Core to the above are people - people make things happen! Personal and community values are rooted in love, care, respect, compassion, and above all, engaging the talents and hearts of each other in loving service - service being a word we deliberately use to describe our daily activities as opposed to “chores” and “tasks”.

OUR INTERN PROGRAM

Given this backdrop, we offer to our qualifying interns the opportunity to:

• learn the fundamental principles of organic farming side by side with us - the format is theoretical input and conversations accompanied by hands on farming. This begins with understanding the natural elements used to grow wholesome food, planning your season, to germination techniques to planting techniques and up to harvesting, followed by preparing your garden for the next growing season
• learn the fundamental principles of caring for and protecting cows and oxen - their value, how to engage their gifts of milk, manure and urine, and training oxen
• learn core leadership competencies including planning, organizing, leading, managing self, others and tasks/services, business planning and strategic planning through real Projects as case studies
• become Project Team members on Agriculture and any Project of interest for you here on the Farm - we have many Projects in progress, constantly. This is underpinned by the principle that farming is not an isolated activity but rather the heart beat of the community, with active inspired people being the heart of our farm
• lead any community event/activity regarding the youth, festivals, cleaning, re-organizing, introducing enhanced systems, and much more
• learn diverse vegetarian cooking, yoga, meditation, and broaden your knowledge on applied wholesome lifestyle

The above is structured into the daily activities of the Farm.

You can apply to intern for one month up to one year - a duration that meets your needs and that of the farm. We do request that there is consistency please so as to enhance your learning experience and meet the needs of an active and developing farm.

Our core value proposition to you is compassionate farming coupled with empowerment and zero bureaucracy to lead and/or participate in the multitude of development Projects.

Being a compassionate farm, our residents and guests while on our Project practice vegetarianism and intoxication-free habits.

Interested?

Please apply on-line at www.theyogafarm.com - submit your biographical details, a brief background, your goals regarding sustainable farming, your needs and expectations to parijata@theyogafarm.com and call 717 527 4101 to chat further!

Let’s partner for a compassionate and sustainable future together.

Panel Member at Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) at Temple Uni in Philly

Dhruva was invited by the ALDF to be on a panel along with The Humane League and the Woodstock Sanctuary to enlighten law students on the horrors of Factory Farming by presenting our Compassionate Farming principles practiced here in Gita Nagari as an alternative to Conventional and Factory Farming.  The students were both horrified by Factory Farming, and subsequently inspired by Compassionate Farming.  There were very direct and descriptive conversations among everyone.

We also served a delicious vegetarian and vegan feast (thai coconut rice, cauli and chickpea, spinach and curd lasagna, salad with a lemon herb dressing, tofu nuggets with a spicy tomato chutney, poppy seed bread-rolls, spicy carrot cake and a fresh strawberry nectar drink), lovingly cooked by Mother Yasoda-mayi and milk fudge sweets also lovingly prepared by Mother Sudevi.  When students heard that the milk sweets and the lasagna with curd was made from the milk from our loved and protected cows, many vegans also tucked in,  having had to abstain from dairy due to their values and principles for a long long time until last week.

We had a great time interacting with the students and panel members.  Many are excited to visit our Farm, so we look forward to hosting them soon.

A big Thank You to Navin Jani for arranging the event and inviting us!