Page added on June 1, 2012

Krishna Eco Farm opens in Scotland

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Lesmahagow, a quiet village founded by monks in the 12th Century is now home to monks of a different order. In 1987 ISKCON devotees moved into a humble property in Lesmahagow not all that far from Glasgow. With the motto â€˜simple living, high thinkingâ€™, they began to develop an ambitious program and turned the site into a state-of-the-art Eco
Farm.

East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow MP, Michael McCann, opened the Farmâ€™ this week. Michael was guest of honour at the event, which was also attended by Margaret Morton and Susan Haughey, Deputy Lord
Lieutenants of Lanarkshire, local councillors Alec McInnes and George Greenshields and many local and national guests.

Environmentalists along with devotees from Bhaktivedanta Manor and Hindus community representatives also attended the event and saw demonstrations of various sustainable technologies including Solar Thermal Panels, Air source Heat Pumps, Wind Turbines, and Biomass Energy Centre. The site also includes a walled garden where the monks
grow vegetables and fruits, as well as greenhouses for cultivating ceremonial flowers and a play garden for children.

The site has received a loan of Â£100,000 for the two turbines, funded by Energy Saving Trust Scotland, and a Scottish Government Community and Renewable Energy Scheme grant of nearly Â£87,000. The eco developments provide around 40% of the small communityâ€™s energy requirements.

Scots born, head of the centre Prabhupada Prana das said â€œIn our temple we try to live simply and in harmony with nature. The technology can be used to reduce your carbon footprint, and thatâ€™s part of our philosophy. We are committed to helping people find peace, through meditation and taking care of the earthâ€”and itâ€™s all here at the Eco Farmâ€.

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â€œIt has been a rewarding day, â€œ added Prabhupada Prana about the official opening ceremony, â€œWe had traditional Indian dance and cuisine blended with Scots bagpipes and banter. The level of interest in our environmental technologies and the presence of the various dignitaries has been inspiring.â€

â€œI was extremely proud to be the guest of honour at the opening of the Krishna Eco-Farm,â€ said Michael McCann MP. â€œThe devotees live in the Lesmahagow community in the heart of my constituency in peace and harmony not only with nature but with the local community.

â€œThe work that they have done on this Eco-Farm has many lessons for us not least of which is that with proper planning, renewable energy sources can make a valuable contribution to our communities.

â€œMost importantly, as a member of the International Development Select Committee the Krishna Eco-Farm project demonstrates how local communities in the developing world could benefit from this type of project.

â€œI thoroughly enjoyed my visit. It certainly wonâ€™t be my last because after the trials and tribulations of my work in the House of Commons and the constituency office visiting the Eco-Farm and meeting the wonderful people there was a great opportunity to stop, take a breath and enjoy an alternative style of life,â€ Michael concluded.

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