In our garden we grow mainly lettuce, herbs, onions, carrots and pumpikins. All vegetables and other plants are grown in an entirely organic way, using quality compost of our own animals. In addition to this, we have eight big tanks where worms compost all our organic waste material (vermicompost). In all stages of working with the soil, we use preparations of effective micro organism to improve the quality of the soil.

We never reuse the same plot for the same product. Instead, we constantly recharge and feed the soil with organic material to ensure the best possible nutritional value and the least chance for pests and disease on plants and vegetables. Sometimes we have to use organic pesticides, wich we make ourselves with our own resources.

Primary Products

These ones are produced by the animals at our project, including buffaloes, bulls and earthworms.

• Dung and urine for compost, vermicompost and biogas;
• Labour to plought the land and all transport by our bullock cart bulls;
• Raw, fresh milk.

Secondary Products

Thanks to the products of the animals, the soil produces organic vegetables, wheatgrass for juice, organic brown rice, peanuts, ragi and wheat. High quality milk products are made from raw milk.

The Importance of Cattle

Originally, in India, milk was not the most important product from cattle. Cows and bulls were used in fields and their dung and urine were used to make compost, medicine and other health products. Only the little extra milk left from the cow after feeding her calf was used by the family who owned the cow. The cow were not considered a “milk machine”.

Since 2002, Karuna Society has rescued over 500 cattle from slaughters. Some of these give milk when they have a new calf. No calf is ever taken away from its mother. The cattle graze in the forest, and in addition, organic fodder is fed to most of them.

The organic fodder we are producing is grown on the compost made from the dung and urine provided by the cattle, effective micro organism (EM), herbs and green leaves. The quality of the grass shows in the health condition of the animals, who give high quality and clean milk, wich is never taken at the cost of a young calf. None of these animals go for slaughter, and all the cattle are allowed to die from old age. In addition, they receive constant veterinary care to ensude their health.

As an example of our effort, in 2003 alone, we rescued 305 cattle. These were mainly working bulls, and a certain number of them are now working on our fields, wich consists of approximately 15 acres, for fodder, rice, peanuts, etc.

They also provide transport for all material. We have given over 200 bulls for adoption to local farmers. These farmers are not allowed to sell the cattle nor send them for slaughter, as they are still government property under custody of Karuna Society.

Kindness Farm
In March 2009, Karuna Society, purchased 18 acres of agricultural land next to its present organic farm. We are grateful to Philip Wollen for his generous donation that enabled us to buy the land. This new land which will be used for growing organic produce for sale in our shop and fodder for the animals is named “Kindness Farm” as it is a source of kindness to man, animals and Mother Earth.