Click here for Save the Cow’s 2011 financial report.
ISKCON Save the Cow’s Federal Tax ID#: 59-2710464
For a statement of total donations you sent in 2011 for tax filing purposes, please request one below:
(Please include the mailing or email address where you want the statement sent)
namo brahmanya-devaya go-brahmana-hitaya ca
jagad-dhitaya krsnaya govindaya namo namah
When Krishna comes to establish real perfection in the social order, He personally gives protection to the cows and the brahmanas (go-brahmana-hitaya ca).
This is His first interest because without protection of the brahmanas and the cows, there can be no human civilization and no question of happy, peaceful life.
(Srila Prabhupada’s purport to Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.4.41)
Make your Diwali and Govardhana Puja even more auspicious by feeding Sri Sri Krishna and Balarama’s cows at New Raman Reti.
$25 provides 150 lbs. of feed grains for year round nourishment
$51 grows and harvests one hay roll for winter feed
$108 fertilizes and maintains one acre for summer pasture
-OR-
Send checks or money orders to:
Save the Cow
P.O. Box 93
Alachua, FL 32616
All contributions are tax deductible (in the USA).
ISKCON Save the Cow’s Federal Tax ID#: 59-2710464
Questions? Email us!
Out of great affection for the cows of Vraja, Krishna became the lifter of Govardhana Hill. At the end of the day, having rounded up all His own cows, He plays a song on His flute, while exalted demigods standing along the path worship His lotus feet.
(Gopala-Campu, First Champi, Text 152, Srila Jiva Goswami, translated by Kusakratha dasa.)
2010 Hay Harvest
After years of drought, we were finally able to harvest some of our own hay to feed the Save the Cow herd. Besides cutting a newly-seeded field at New Raman Reti, two local devotee families, Gostabihari and Mahavisnupriya Cranmer and Stoka Krishna and Syamapriya Torgersen, graciously made their fields available for hay production.
Gosta's Greenery
Of course, the saying, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch,” applies to cows as well. There’s still the cost of fertilizing the fields and the expense of getting the hay cut and baled. Therefore, thanks also goes to the following who donated to help pay for last year’s hay harvest, which has amply fed the cows this winter: Balavanta and Ballavi Ogle, Varuna and Kirtaniya Aggarwal.
Hay Harvest 2010
Radhe and Kripa Still Going Strong
Radhastami and Krishna Kripa will turn 18 this year, but each is still as strong as an ox (pardon the pun). Bhakta Mauri, our long-time dedicated teamster, who is no spring chicken himself, recently yoked up the team to “drag the field,” thus spreading the manure evenly on the pasture—and here’s the proof, so you won’t think that this is just a cock and bull story.
All Yoked Up
Mauri and the "Guys" Dragging the Field
Ox Power
A Visit from the Vet
As Save the Cow’s herd gets older, veterinarian visits are becoming more frequent. Recently, our regular vet Randy Emmons DVM (bovine specialist and the best large-animal veterinarian in the area) came to treat Krishna Kripa’s eye and Radhika’s leg. Kripa, as a “white-faced” Holstein with non-pigmented eyelids, is susceptible to developing cancerous growths on his eyes. Dr. Emmons has successfully treated Kripa twice before for this disease as he has done for Nandini as well.
Eye Examination
Injection Time
Radhika, another Holstein, is afflicted with an arthritic condition in her leg and hip. The injections she receives from Dr. Emmons and her daily doses of medicines provide enough relief to keep Radhika on her feet and able to get around the pasture.
Radhika's Exam
Dr. Emmons Checks Her Joints
Gopa the Cowherd Dog
If you’ve ever driven to the back of New Raman Reti, there’s a good chance you’ve seen (or almost run into) Gopa the cowherd dog. He showed up at the Temple in 1999 and has been here ever since, staying with the cows out in the pastures. In his younger days, Gopa performed his cowherding service with great enthusiasm and could even walk Gauri on a rope!
From the Archives
Gopa and Gauri
Now, he’s semi-retired and spends most of his days sleeping in the fields or on the road—a bad habit of many years that he won’t give up. So please be on the lookout for him in the road and drive carefully.
Resting on the Road
T’anks Alot
Thanks to Ganesh M. Ramanujam, Jaya Gauri and Mahavira Roberts, and the students of Bhaktivedanta Academy of North America for sponsoring three new water tanks (two are already installed and the third one is just now coming).
Shiny New Water Tank
Here’s Mayapur after a drink at one of the new tanks, sprinkled with the hay that he throws on himself with his horns. He thinks it makes him look tough—aren’t those horns warning enough?
Mayapur Takes a Drink
Mayapur the "Menace"
Tractor Barn
Initially, we kept Save the Cow’s brand-new donated Mahindra tractor in the cow barn and the mower under a tarp. Then, we purchased an economical “Instant Garage Shelter” as a temporary solution, which we thought would last a year or two while we saved up enough funds for a permanent structure. Unfortunately, it proved to be very temporary when, within a few weeks, it came down during the first thunderstorm of the summer.
"Get that tractor outta there!"
Mower Under Wraps
That inspired us to step up fundraising efforts and with the generous support of the following donors, we were able to provide a suitable shelter for Save the Cow’s tractor, which is used for delivering 800-pound hay-rolls to the cows in the winter and for mowing the pastures in the summer. Thank you to Varuna and Kirtaniya Aggarwal, Sadhu Sanga Men’s Group, and Mrs. Marion Solomon.
Mahindra's New Home
Maison de Mower
Barn's New Neighbor
Color Coordinated
Special Delivery
New Gates
It’s about time to replace some pasture gates, which get beat up over the years by cows, cars, and the climate. We could use five new 12-foot-wide gates, which cost about $70 each.
Click here to donate for New Gates
Seed and Fertilizer
Last year we seeded a 13-acre field at New Raman Reti with Tifton 9 Bahia grass and harvested 45 hay rolls in one cutting. To help establish a stronger, higher yielding pasture, we plan to re-seed that field again this spring. At the recommended planting rate of 20 pounds of seed per acre, we require seven 40-pound bags of Tifton 9 seed ($125 per bag) at a total cost of $875.
A Need for Seed
That field along with the others (for both hay production and summer pasture grass) need to be fertilized with nitrogen. The cost of spreading fertilizer on all the fields comes to about $2800 (fertilizer prices are15% higher than last year).
Click here to donate for Seed or Fertilizer
Cow Shelter / Infirmary / Hospice
Another feature of caring for an aging herd is the opportunity to improve our service by providing for the special needs of geriatric bovines. In North Central Florida, healthy, young cows can live well without the need of barns. All of our pastures have trees, which provide shade and some shelter from wind and rain. As our cows age, however, they need extra care and shelter from the elements. We can make them more comfortable by providing additional shelter from summer sun and winter winds and rain.
Pole Barn Sketch
To this end, Save the Cow plans to build a 12 x 24 foot multi-purpose barn shelter in one of the pastures. This structure will be open on both ends to allow free access to the cows and oriented in such a way as to provide refuge from the prevailing winds, which can be quite chilly in the wintertime. In addition, it will provide shade and shelter from the rain. This barn will be equipped with a central beam sturdy enough to support a cow sling, which can hoist a cow having difficulty standing. There will also be a gate on each end so that the building can be closed to create an infirmary for sick cows or a hospice facility when necessary. The estimated materials cost is $2500 and we plan to construct it with a combination of volunteers and local carpenters.
Save the Cow’s 2010 financial report is posted here, followed by an article called “Dollars and Sense.”
Welcome to savethecow.org and headquarters for the Adopt-A-Rama campaign. Our goal is to get all the cows and oxen at New Raman Reti fully adopted at a level that enables Save the Cow to provide them the care they need and deserve.
Sri Sri Krishna Balarama
Now that the divine cowherd boys Sri Sri Krishna and Balarama reside at New Raman Reti, we at Save the Cow ask you to join the transcendental brothers in Their cowherding lila by adopting a cow today! Click here to Adopt A Cow.
For more information about Save the Cow’s finances (including 2009 year-end report) and why we need more donors click here.
Health update: Godavari and Nandini
In Moomarium: We say goodbye to those who have gone on to greener pastures
Pasture/hay update: Planting, fertilizing, and harvest
Moos in the News: New articles from around the world
New links: Cows in Cyberspace and Veggie Links
Glories of Mother Cow: More quotes and pictures
["In Memory of Rangakara Prabhu'' below this post]
Happy New Year!
January 26, 2009 marks the beginning of the Chinese year 4707. According to the Chinese lunar calendar, this is the Year of the Ox. The Ox, one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, symbolizes prosperity through hard work, resolve, and tenacity.
While economists hope this foretells a bullish financial market, we at Save the Cow see it as an opportunity to increase and improve our service to Lord Krishna’s beloved cows and oxen. This auspicious opportunity is open to all and depends upon your generous contributions. Let’s work together to make this Year of the Ox one of wonderful progress in the cause of go-seva and cow protection.
Year of the Ox
Think of Chinese New Year as a second chance to make some additional New Year’s resolutions. And what better resolution is there in the Year of the Ox than to make a pledge of support to Save the Cow. Consider adopting a cow or an ox by pledging a monthly donation at one of the three service levels: Pandava Sahadeva, Maharaja Nanda, or Gopal Krishna. Visit Projects and Wish Lists to contribute for a specific need or make a General Donation.
Save the Cow
P.O. Box 93
Alachua, FL 32616
Questions? Email us!
For the cowherd men and the cows, Krishna is the supreme friend. Therefore He is worshipped by the prayer namo brahmanya-devaya go-brahmana-hitaya ca. His pastimes in Gokula, His dhama, are always favorable to the brahmanas and the cows. His first business is to give all comfort to the cows and the brahmanas. In fact, comfort for the brahmanas is secondary, and comfort for the cows is His first concern.
—Srila Prabhupada’s purport on Srimad Bhagavatam (10.8.16)
The cow is the support of all living entities, and the ocean of auspiciousness. The cow is the past and the future. She nourishes the health of all living entities, and she is the root of all prosperity. The piety one achieves by feeding a cow is never destroyed.
—Gavopanishad
Rangakara at Gita Nagari
One of our steady supporters, Rangakara Prabhu, passed away in early January. He was a disciple of Srila Jayapataka Swami, the husband of Lalita Sakhi and father of Vrindavan Lila. Many remember him as one of the most friendly and kind-hearted men they ever met. When he lived at the Gita Nagari farm in Pennsylvania, Rangakara worked with the oxen—a service that he cherished. After moving to Alachua he quickly began giving regular donations to Save the Cow. He was one of Prajapati’s adopters and when Prajapati passed on became a supporter of another ox named Govinda.
Just before Christmas I ran into Rangakara in the Alachua Post Office parking lot. He rolled down his car window, called me over with his characteristic smile, and immediately wrote out a check to Save the Cow.
Whoever renders service unto Me in devotion is a friend, is in Me, and I am also a friend to him. . . . He quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace. O son of Kunti [Arjuna], declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes. —Bhagavad-gita 9.29, 9.31
His widow, Lalita Sakhi, is requesting anyone who wishes to make an offering in Rangakara Prabhu’s memory to do so by making a donation to Save the Cow in his name.
-OR-
Send checks or money orders to:
Save the Cow
P.O. Box 93
Alachua, FL 32616
All contributions are tax deductible (in the USA).
ISKCON Save the Cow’s Federal Tax ID#: 59-2710464
Questions? Email us!
Ganga Jal, Your Host
Most people, and all the other cows for that matter, just call me Ganga. I’m working with the kind folks at Save the Cow to make this website entertaining as well as educational. Together, we’ve got big plans as you can see from the pages listed on the right (most of which are under construction). Right now, you can go to the Ganga’s Story page and read Part One of my life history. Don’t miss the cute baby picture of yours truly along with my mom, Gauri.
Or visit the In Moomoriam page to read Devaki’s memorial to my old friend Vamsi, who recently passed away. Check out the Projects and Wish Lists page to see the Great Winter “Bale Out” of 2008 appeal that successfully raised all the funds to pay for this winter’s hay. There, you’ll also find a photo of me all dressed up, as well as an ox-cart ride video. Thank you, by the way, to all you donors out there who gave so generously to feed me and my friends.
My Favorite Winter Pastime
