An Estate Tour
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An Estate Tour Happily, he knows that everything is in excellent hands. Rajesh P.R., our On-Site Project Manager, has been overseeing all building projects, from the cowshed construction to main school building construction and doing an excellent job. He was naturally delighted to see Michael and led us bothon a tour of the estate. Five Product Mixture
 Last March, Michael decided to test a certain section of coffee plants close to our guest cottage with this mixture containing five products from cows: cow dung, cow urine, milk, curd, ghee (clarified butter), plus, ripe bananas, jaggery, tender coconut and water, along with yeast for fermentation. After mixing it must age for 18 days when it is then diluted with water and administered to the soil. When we toured through this area where many unhealthy coffee trees once grew, we were astonished by the overall healthier look of these trees with their new branch growth and bigger leaves. But, most notable were the great number of coffee berries and berry clusters that have grown as a result of this treatment. This section is destined for a fantastic yield this coming harvest season. Interspersed with the coffee trees in that same area are newly planted vanilla cuttings, tethered to other shade trees. These are just a few of the hundreds of vanilla cuttings planted around the plantation. We also saw new cardamom trees. One hundred and four were planted in early September on top of the nearly 1000 already on the estate! Cows And Cow Bi-Products
Our next stop was the cowshed. It was quite amazing to see how much last year's calves Krishna, Radha and Sara have grown! Krishna, by the way, recently mated with Devi, our Jersey Laxmi's daughter, and the breeding results of the Holstein-Friesian (world's highest milk producer) with an Indian Jersey should prove outstanding.
 From the cows, we went to observe the new extension work that had been done on the cowshed itself. Michael reflected upon his original idea of maximizing production - not only of milk but also dung and urine that will supply our organic farm with a rich nutrient source and a natural pesticide.  It was here that they discussed the cow urine drainage system that Rajesh designed to lead to a collection tank which is now just a urine pond at the moment. From here, a pump will push the urine up to a tank that will be located in a higher elevation for the purpose of dilution and preparation, and then distribution onto coffee, cardamom, vanilla and fruit trees. At this time, Michael and Rajesh identified the perfect spot for dung collection for the Gober Gas processing unit that will supply the kitchen of our new school building with natural methane gas for cooking meals. Utility Room & Chicken Coop
From here, we followed Rajesh to the Utility Storage room that was built underneath the cowshed extenstion. Michael was so pleasantly surprised to find such a nice, clean and functional utility room that serves also as a chicken coop and a place for storing hay for our cows. And just outside the lower storage room is a special hose, diverting from the main urine drainage pipe that's being used for making Panchagavya. From there Rajesh lead us to the area where the Gober Gas processing unit will be installed and the perfect place was determined just down from cow shed area.
Home & School Construction
The next day the progress of the School Building construction was examined. So far, the foundation of the lower floor that will be used as the kitchen and dining hall is complete as well as the slab for first floor where our administration offices and classrooms will be.
Then there is the second floor which is nearly ready for the pouring of a cement slab. Literally tons of steel rebar was used to create a framework that, as you can see right, is quite labor-intensive to build. No machinery was used to bend the steel. It is all done by hand, with a few tools of course. Below is a shot of where the stairwell and atrium will be. Below far right is the lower half level. 
A Celebration
 In conclusion, Michael's visit was like a celebration that will lead us into the next phase of building a dream come true. Everyone of us on the plantation shared in the joyous experience of his visit! He even performed a beautiful song with his flute that he said was intended to lift the spirit of all those who live in the Coorg area so that they can come closer to understanding the nature of their true unbounded selves. ~ Reported by Peter Cruz, Coorg
For more about the new building and overall vision for the property see CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS. |
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