Environmentally Friendly

At Tolcarne farm we use practical methods for achieving genuine conservation.
We try and order our lives to successfully achieve equilibrium with the surrounding environment.



A lot of food is grown in the garden using traditional organic methods. Working for Krishna, the land is treated with due care and respect. The land is seen as Bhumi-Devi (Mother Earth,) who in the Vedic literatures is acknowledged as one of the seven mothers of humanity. In working the land we aim for sustainable longevity where we replenish whatever resources we use.

Rather than use chemical fertilizer which is expensive and highly damaging, natural waste such as leaf mould, kitchen waste and comfrey is used. The compost heaps are a great natural resource. 



Which are growing all the time...



Instead of using artificial insecticide, the residence of wildlife such as frogs, spiders, beetles and hover flies is encouraged. Employing these natural predators helps keep unwanted guests such as aphids, caterpillars and mites under control. A wormery with many worms is also maintained. The worms help our soil become fine and good.



Although it takes more time, all the soil is turned by hand. This is more costly in physical exertion, but less expensive and much less destructive than using tractors. Working manually provides us the opportunity to do service for Krishna and ultimately brings satisfaction and quality of results. 



In the Poly-Tunnel more delicate plants requiring a warmer climate are grown; such as tomatoes, lettuces, spinach and rocket. There is also a small pond inside the Poly-Tunnel for the frogs and other natural predators.

Fossil fuels are not needlessly used when a job can be done by hand! In the winter, wood is sourced locally and we wrap up warm to minimize expenditure.



A big effort is made to save electricity wherever possible. Low energy light bulbs help to conserve power. The water we use comes direct from a natural spring and goes back into the ground after use. As far as possible we use natural soaps and eco friendly cleaning products. Water is also saved with the hippo system. In every toilets cistern there is a hippo bag which saves approximately three litres of water each flush. Conserving water better helps to prevent devastating climate change.

 

Where possible materials are always sourced locally before looking further afield. e.g. buying milk and cream from a nearby organic farm and supporting small local businesses rather than supermarkets. Thousands of road miles are not necessary to obtain what we need to survive. Every precaution is taken to use tried and tested methods for maintaining a healthy eco-culture.

On the farm we strive to produce what we need but if there is surplus it is sold at markets. Especially in spring, summer and autumn, there is more than we use. According to Krishna, farming is the most profitable business. Treating the land fairly brings an abundance of natural wealth.



If Krishna is pleased with our efforts then there is natural balance with our environment, similarly
if we work towards balance with our environment, Krishna is naturally very pleased.



Charlie Lawrence